Australian MP Helen Haines critically injured in ‘deliberate’ car ramming

Lawmaker was struck by a car outside her office in what Prime Minister ⁠Anthony Albanese called a ‘deliberate act’.

Independent lawmaker Helen Haines entered parliament in 2019 after working as a nurse and midwife [File: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images]

An Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines is in critical condition after ⁠being struck by a car outside her office in Wangaratta, in what Prime Minister ⁠Anthony Albanese called an attack.

“This wasn’t an accident. There was a deliberate act,” Albanese told national broadcaster ABC on Monday. “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.”

Police said a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV struck Haines outside her office in Wangaratta, some 200km (124 miles) northwest of Melbourne.

The 65-year-old “suffered what has been described as critical injuries”, Ashley Mason, Victoria police’s acting superintendent, said, without identifying the victim in line with police custom in Australia.

Mason added that civilians apprehended a 43-year-old male driver and handed him over to police, who found a knife in his car.

The attack comes after the federal police documented a steady rise in threats and abuse directed towards the nation’s politicians in recent years. Politicians have historically been highly accessible to the public and usually go about their business without security.

Albanese said on Monday that “the temperature has increased in recent times”.

“I’ve expressed that concern to people in the media,” he said. “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.”

The prime minister said the alleged attacker’s motive remained unknown, with Australia’s counterterrorism squad activated.

‘Thoroughly decent human being’

Albanese praised Haines, whom he described as “incredibly hardworking”.

“She is fiercely intelligent but, most importantly, she’s just a thoroughly decent human being,” he said.

Her family issued a statement but said it would offer no further comment, asking that their privacy be respected by the public and the media.

“This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care,” it said.

“We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response.”

Haines entered parliament in 2019 after working as a nurse and midwife, becoming known for stances such as supporting stronger climate action.

She was widely praised for her efforts to increase transparency in politics and crack down on corruption.

一名议员在办公室外被汽车撞倒，总理安东尼·阿尔巴尼斯称之为“蓄意行为”。

独立议员海伦·海恩斯 (Helen Haines) 在担任护士和助产士之后，于 2019 年进入议会。[图片：Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images]

澳大利亚独立议员海伦·海恩斯在旺加拉塔的办公室外被汽车撞倒，目前情况危急。总理安东尼·阿尔巴尼斯称这是一起袭击事件。

“这不是意外，而是蓄意谋杀，”阿尔巴内塞周一告诉美国广播公司ABC。“在这个极其艰难的时刻，我们所有人都与海伦、她的家人、朋友、团队和社区同在。我们祈祷她早日康复。”

警方称，一辆丰田陆地巡洋舰 SUV 在海恩斯位于旺加拉塔的办公室外撞倒了她，旺加拉塔位于墨尔本西北约 200 公里（124 英里）处。

维多利亚州警方代理警司阿什利·梅森表示，这名65岁的老人“遭受了严重的伤势”，但按照澳大利亚警方的惯例，他没有透露受害者的身份。

梅森补充说，平民抓住了一名 43 岁的男性司机，并将其移交给警方，警方在他的车里发现了一把刀。

此次袭击发生之前，联邦警察记录显示，近年来针对美国政界人士的威胁和辱骂事件持续上升。政界人士历来与公众保持着高度的密切联系，而且通常不配备安保人员。

阿尔巴尼斯周一表示，“近来气温有所上升”。

他说：“我已经向媒体人士表达了这种担忧。如果你看看任何人的社交媒体动态和评论，你会发现人们会说一些他们当面绝对不会说的话。”

总理表示，袭击者的作案动机仍然不明，澳大利亚反恐小组已启动调查。

“一个非常正直的人”

阿尔巴尼斯称赞海恩斯，称他“非常勤奋”。

“她非常聪明，但最重要的是，她是一个非常正直的人，”他说。

她的家人发表了一份声明，但表示不会再做任何评论，并请求公众和媒体尊重他们的隐私。

“今天下午，我们敬爱的海伦在旺加拉塔选区办公室外发生了一起事件，目前正在接受治疗，”声明中写道。

“我们感谢路人迅速伸出援手，感谢尽心尽力救助她的医护人员，也感谢警方迅速做出反应。”

海恩斯曾是一名护士和助产士，2019 年进入议会，她因支持采取更强有力的气候行动等立场而闻名。

她因努力提高政治透明度和打击腐败而广受赞誉。