20.10.2026 17:13
In Australia, independent MP Helen Haines was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle in front of her electorate office in the state of Victoria. Haines, who was taken into surgery, is in critical condition. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the driver made a U-turn and hit Haines, saying the incident was deliberate. The 43-year-old suspect was detained at the scene, and a knife was seized in his vehicle. A counter-terrorism task force has launched an investigation into the incident.
Counter-terrorism units have launched an investigation into the serious injury of an MP in Australia after she was hit by a vehicle. Prime Minister Albanese said the MP was deliberately targeted.
VEHICLE STRUCK IN FRONT OF ELECTORATE OFFICE
Helen Haines, who has served as an independent MP in the federal parliament since 2019, was hit by a vehicle on Monday afternoon in front of her electorate office in the state of Victoria. Haines, who was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Melbourne on Monday night, underwent surgery on Tuesday. Haines’s condition was reported to remain serious.
“IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THIS WAS A DELIBERATE ACT”
In a statement to Australian broadcaster ABC on Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the driver passed Haines and then made a U-turn and hit her. Albanese said, “It is very clear that this was a deliberate act.”
KNIFE FOUND IN SUSPECT’S VEHICLE
The 43-year-old suspect driving the vehicle was detained at the scene. A knife was also seized in the suspect’s vehicle.
Albanese announced that a joint counter-terrorism task force comprising Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) had launched an investigation into the incident.