Premier ‘deeply appalled’ after Indi MP Haines injured – as it happened
Özet haber: We are closing the blog for the night. You can read the full story on the alleged attack on Helen Haines here, and an explainer here. We’ll be back first thing tomorrow, until then, here is a rundown of what we know so far: The independent MP for Indi is in a critical condition after an alleged attack involving a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, at about 3. 35pm.
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We are closing the blog for the night. You can read the full story on the alleged attack on Helen Haines here, and an explainer here. We’ll be back first thing tomorrow, until then, here is a rundown of what we know so far: The independent MP for Indi is in a critical condition after an alleged attack involving a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, at about 3. 35pm.
A 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee is in custody, and the alleged attack is being investigated by the Australian federal police (AFP), Asio and the joint counter-terror taskforce. The motive is not yet known. A knife was allegedly found in his car after he was detained by a passerby when he exited his vehicle. Well-wishes towards Haines have flowed in from across the political spectrum.
The prime minister held a snap press conference on Monday evening where he described Haines, who has represented Indi since 2019, as a “thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity and respected right across parliament”. The
Rise in threats towards parliamentarians should ‘alarm every Australian’, Centre for Public Integrity says The Centre for Public Integrity, an independent research institute that has had a longstanding relationship with Helen Haines, says if the alleged incident was intentional, it would be an “act of democratic violence”. In a statement, it said it was “devastated” by the reports, describing Haines as an “extraordinary parliamentarian and an extraordinary person”. Helen is one of Australia’s most effective and determined champions of integrity in public life. Here at the Centre for Public Integrity we have been proud to work alongside her in many campaigns … Today, we welcomed the announcement of a new National Anti-Corruption Commissioner following a transparent and merit-based appointment process, precisely the type of reform Helen has long championed. The body said it was “shocked by the increasingly hostile environment in which Australian parliamentarians are working”.
‘Lower the temperature’, Nationals MP urges The Victorian state member for Euroa, Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland, has shared sentiments we heard earlier from the federal MP for her region, Sam Birrell, about the need to lower the temperature across the political divide. In a statement, she said she was “shocked and appalled” about the alleged attack on Helen Haines and “violence is never the answer”. Tonight is a reminder of why it matters to turn down the heat. Our democracy depends on people being able to disagree without fear. The way we speak about each other matters, and every one of us has a responsibility to lower the temperature of our political debate.
Similarly, Tim McCurdy, the Nationals member for the Victorian seat of Ovens Valley, which centres on Wangaratta said: At a time like this, my thoughts are first and foremost with Helen herself and her loved ones. She is a proud representative of our community and above all, a decent human being who does not deserve this. And W
Helen Haines ‘adored by her community’, Animal Justice party MP, Georgie Purcell, says The Animal Justice party MP, Georgie Purcell, whose Victorian upper house region of northern Victoria overlaps with parts of Helen Haines’s seat of Indi, has described the independent as an “absolute powerhouse” who is “adored by her community”.
This shocking [alleged] attack will rattle the entire nation, but especially the people of Indi. And while a motivation is yet to be confirmed, I know this will also send chills down the spines of women in parliaments across the country, as well as candidates contesting the Victorian state election.
She says being a woman in politics “changes the way you move throughout the world”, including where they park your car, the route to drive home or if they hold public events or keep their office doors locked. Purcell went on: For many of us, the news coming out of Wangaratta this evening is our worst nightmare. Only weeks ago I spoke in parliament about the escala
The host of the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing Patricia Karvelas has just told the public broadcaster that Helen Haines was due to appear on her program before the alleged attack occurred. Visibly emotional, Karvelas said Haines was to speak about the National Anti-Corruption Commission, for which she has been a long-time advocate, prior to the incident occurring.
She couldn’t do the interview … because she was [allegedly] brutally attacked. She couldn’t do her democratic job … because of this. It’s horrific, I think, and I’m quite upset by it.
Nationals MP in neighbouring electorate says alleged attack should be a wake-up call The Nationals member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell, is appearing on ABC News. Birrell’s electorate neighbours Indi and shares a long border. He says he is feeling “shocked”, having recently seen Helen Haines at an event in Euroa with the governor general.
Helen is a friend, we have our political differences but share a long electorate border … Helen Haines is not a divisive figure … She’s a regional MP … just a local hard-working MP like I try to be and a lot of my colleagues. To have something like this occur in Wangaratta … That’s the particular element that has sent a shock wave for me but also my colleagues.
Birrell says he won’t change his conduct in light of the alleged attack, adding “we don’t hate each other in parliament”, but points to rising anger he’s seen in the community. We see each other as colleagues … It’s a real feature of the Australian democracy that you can [come up to the local MP].
Neighbouring MP, David Farley, wishes Helen Haines the ‘tenacity and strength of Hercules’ to recover Across the Murray river in the neighbouring federal electorate of Farrer, One Nation MP, David Farley, said he was at home digesting the news. In a statement, he said: Wishing Helen Haines the tenacity & strength of Hercules to recover from her horrific injuries.
Helen is the best of all of us, great representative, tenacious politician, genuine and authentic Australian. Our prayers across Farrer are with Helen and family tonight. We brought you the statement from One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, earlier, who said “violence against any elected representative, whoever they are and whatever they stand for, is never acceptable in Australia”.
The Victorian opposition leader, Jess Wilson, says she’s deeply shocked about the “terrible” alleged attack on Haines. Her statement reads: 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 [alleged] 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.
She added that she had spoken with premier Ben Carroll this evening and the duo are “united in our resolve that such extreme acts cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.” Wilson said: 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. The deputy pre
Spender says many have feared a violent incident against an Australian politician Spender says many people have feared that there would be a violent incident against an Australian politician. Police are still investigating whether the incident involving Helen Haines was an intentional act.
Earlier this evening, the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, said the number of reports of harassment and threatening behaviour against MPs and high office holders had increased since last year. Spender tells ABC’s 7. 30: Look, I think we’ve seen an increase in, in violent language and also, you know, sort of some of the actions of jostling and other kind of actions against politicians.
And I think many people have feared that there would be some sort of violent incident against Australian politicians. And I think this is of huge concern because I think we take pride in the fact that in Australia, you know, politicians are just like anybody else. Asked about incidents overseas, including in the UK whe
If you’re just joining us, here’s a recap of what we know so far after the alleged attack on the independent member for Indi, Helen Haines. Haines has been critically injured in an alleged attack involving a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, regional Victoria, at about 3. 35pm.
A 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee is in custody, and the alleged attack is being investigated by the Australian federal police (AFP), Asio and the joint counter-terror taskforce. The motive is not yet known. A knife was allegedly found in his car after he was detained by a passerby when he exited his vehicle.
The prime minister, the opposition leader, the Greens leader David Shoebridge, One Nation head Pauline Hanson and politicians across the parliament have sent their thoughts and well wishes to Haines and her family. In a snap press conference on Monday evening, Anthony Albanese described Haines, who has represented Indi since 2019, as a “thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity and res
Haines is ‘really inspirational’, says Spender Allegra Spender, who sits on the crossbench with Helen Haines, calls her one of the most outstanding people in parliament. She tells ABC’s 7. 30 Haines interrogates issues thoroughly but with enormous respect. Spender says she found out about the incident from her colleagues. Helen is the best of us. Like, Helen is one of the most outstanding people in parliament.
She’s really inspirational. I often go and talk to her, particularly if I’m looking at regional and rural issues and get her perspective on what her community thinks. But also, you know, … You see her with ministers, for instance. She takes the work incredibly seriously. She interrogates the issues very seriously, but with enormous respect and with a very civilised approach.