NORTH-EAST: Indi MHR Helen Haines attacked
Indi MHR Helen Haines, 65, is in hospital fighting for her life, after being attacked in Wangaratta. There are fears she may now lose her legs, according to Herald Sun reporters.
Dr Haines was outside her electoral office in Murphy St, Wangaratta, when she was struck by a car driven by a man who is reported to have been in a possession of a flick-knife.
After being detained by a local Wangaratta barber, assisted by other local people, the Tarrawingee man, 43, was taken into custody by local Police.
Dr Haines was reported to have been critically injured in the attack. An airlift from Wangaratta to Melbourne was being considered.
The Border Mail said it was believed the federal politician was unloading material from the boot of her Subaru station wagon close to her Murphy St office when she was struck by a four-wheel-drive around 3.30pm.
“The independent MP was described as suffering lower body injuries and was taken by ambulance to hospital in a critical condition. Police in a statement said Dr Haines was struck by a white Toyota Landcruiser driven by a man at about 3.35pm. As he exited the vehicle, the man, a 43 year-old from Tarrawingee, was arrested at the scene by a passerby.”
Victoria Police said: “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.”
Premier Ben Carroll said: “I am deeply appalled by this violent attack on Helen Haines. My thoughts – and the thoughts of all Victorians – are with Helen, her family, her friends, her colleagues and her community.
“I know how devastating this will be for the Wangaratta community and all those who Helen represents. Thank you to police, paramedics, firefighters and witnesses for their immediate response. An individual has been apprehended, and I thank Police for their swift action”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave a press conference just after 7pm on Monday (Oct. 19), in which he shared wishes for Dr Haines’s recovery. Mr Albanese said: ““All of our thoughts are with Helen, her family, her friends, her team and her community at this extremely difficult time.
“We are praying for her full recovery. I want to thank the first responders for their extraordinary work. There is a major police investigation underway and I can confirm that a suspect is in custody. The Australian Federal Police, Victorian Police and ASIO are working together on this. The joint counter terrorism team has been activated but the motive is not known.
“I’ve spoken with Victorian Premier Ben Carroll and have been briefed by AFP Commissioner Chrissie Barrett.It is too early in this investigation for me to provide you with details of what the motivation is behind this attack.My thoughts are also with those there who were there in Wangaratta today and Helen’s community more broadly,” Mr Albanese said.
“Helen Haines is incredibly hard working. She is fiercely intelligent, but most importantly, she’s just thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity and respected right across the parliament and from everyone who comes into contact with her. She is a well-loved member of her community and this will come as an incredible shock to that community. Our thoughts remain with Helen Haines at this very difficult time.”
State Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said: “I am deeply shocked by the terrible attack on Helen Haines in Wangaratta this afternoon. My thoughts are with Helen, her family, friends and staff at this incredibly difficult time. I know Victorians everywhere will be hoping for her recovery.
“I want to thank the bystanders who rushed to help, along with Victoria Police, paramedics and the medical professionals caring for Helen. The circumstances of this attack are deeply concerning, and it is important that police are given every opportunity to establish exactly what happened. Violence of this kind has no place in our state. I have spoken with the Premier this evening and we are united in our resolve that such extreme acts cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.
“Helen is a dedicated and decent person who has spent years standing up for her community. Right now, our thoughts are with her and those closest to her,” MsWilson said.
Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason, qupted said he was not aware of any prior concerns or incidents related to Helen Haines before she was injured. He told reporters there was “nothing to indicate at this stage” that the two parties are known to each other, but police are still investigating.
He said there was no ongoing or further threat to the community at this stage: “I can provide some assurance to the community that we certainly do not have any intelligence that there is any further or ongoing threat to any other person or the broader community,” he said. “We are treating this as an isolated incident at this point in time.”
Dr Haines’s family said: “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.”