Threats against politicians rising in Australia published at 10:16 BST Katy Watson Australia correspondent The police are calling this a "serious" incident, while Anthony Albanese is calling it an "attack" - so politicians have clearly been briefed on the nature of what happened this afternoon. The prime minister said it was too early to understand the motivation behind what happened, but he did say that the political temperature has been rising in Australia. And his Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke backed up that statement with some figures in the news conference they have just given.
Burke said reports of threatening or harassing behaviour towards politicians had risen from 951 to 1,067 in the past year. Albanese seemed close to tears in TV interview published at 10:12 BST Simon Atkinson Australia reporter Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese became emotional as he talked about Helen Haines in a live television interview on ABC's 730. The PM appeared close to tears when he was asked whether he and his colleagues talk among themselves about the threats and risks they face.
"Yes," he replied adding: "My concern at this point in time is for one, one of my colleagues." He described Helen Haines as having "integrity". "She's someone who is very passionate about her community. She's someone who's not shy about coming forward, about what she thinks that community needs." Albanese added: "I don't want to see a political system in which you can't have conversations with people at the supermarket, in the street, at street meetings, public forums.
"That's the important part of our democracy. "I think there has been a rise in temperature. And there has been too much shouting, not enough discourse.
Not enough polite conversation and disagreement. "And in a democracy, we should be able to have discussion, political debate, put different views, but do it in a way that is respectful." Image source, EPA Image caption, The Australian prime minister, pictured last month 'Shocking and deeply disturbing attack' - foreign minister published at 10:01 BST Image source, Reuters Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the incident in Victoria is a "shocking and deeply disturbing attack". In a post on social media, she says her thoughts are with Haines's "loved ones, friends, team and community" "We are all hoping for Helen’s full recovery," she adds.
Who is Helen Haines? published at 09:56 BST Helen Haines is a 65-year-old Independent MP for the Indi division in Victoria, south-eastern Australia. She was first elected to the Australian House of Representatives in 2019 and was re-elected in 2022 and 2025. Before entering politics she worked as a nurse, midwife, and public health researcher.
She has published several research papers on maternal health. Image source, Helen Haines' LinkedIn profile Albanese says it appears to be a 'deliberate act' published at 09:52 BST Breaking Simon Atkinson Australia reporter "This wasn’t an accident. There was a deliberate act, it would appear," Anthony Albanese tells ABC's 730 Programme.
"We certainly hope for good news about Helen’s condition over the next 24 hours." He says that counter terrorism police would be going through the history of the suspect to try to establish a motivation. Albanese adds he has been asking for some time for people to dial down the temperature in politics. "If you look at anyone's social media feeds, and look at the comments, people will say things that they would never say face to face, but the temperature has undoubtedly been increased, not just here in Australia, of course.
We've seen incidents internationally as well," he says. "There is no place for violence in a democracy." Knife seized from car; MP has 'critical injuries' - police published at 09:48 BST Breaking Victoria Police have released the following statement: "Police have arrested a man after a woman was struck by a vehicle in Wangaratta, Victoria this afternoon. "It is understood a white Toyota Landcruiser struck the 65-year-old woman outside an office on Murphy Street at about 3.35pm local time.
"When he exited the Toyota the driver, a 43-year-old Tarrawingee man, was arrested at the scene by a passer-by. He will be interviewed in relation to the incident. "The woman was taken to hospital with critical injuries.
"A knife was located by police and seized from inside the Toyota. "At this stage, police are investigating as to whether this was an intentional act. "It is not known yet if the parties are known to each other.
Major Collison Investigation Unit detectives are en route. The investigation remains ongoing." No motive for apparent 'attack', but counter terror police involved - Albanese published at 09:44 BST More now from Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. He says the motive of the apparent attack is not known, but the Joint Counter Terrorism Team is involved.
Albanese calls Helen Haines "a thoroughly decent human being" and a "well-loved member of her community". As a reminder, a man is in custody after the incident in car park - we'll have more details on the suspect in our next post. Haines receiving medical care - family published at 09:39 BST Breaking The family of Helen Haines has released this statement: "This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care.
"We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response. "Our family, and Helen’s staff, will be making no further comment at this time, and ask that their privacy be respected by the public and media. Please keep Helen in your thoughts." No ongoing threat - police published at 09:37 BST Breaking We've just heard from Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason, of Victoria Police.
"We are treating this as an isolated incident at this time. There is no ongoing threat to the community that we are aware of," Supt Mason says. Australian MP hit by car outside office was 'attacked', says prime minister published at 09:34 BST Breaking An Australian MP has been hit by a car outside her office, in what Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called an "attack".
Helen Haines was reportedly in a car park near her regional office in Wangaratta, Victoria, when she was hit by a 4x4 vehicle. This is a developing story - we'll have more details soon.
Source: BBC
