Federal MP Dr Helen Haines has undergone surgery and remains in a critical condition after being hit by a car in what has been labelled a deliberate attack.
Haines, 65, was outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, in Victoria's north, when she was struck by a vehicle, sustaining critical injuries, on Monday afternoon.
The independent member for Indi was airlifted to a hospital in Melbourne that evening, where the prime minister has said she underwent surgery overnight but remains in critical condition.
"She remains in a critical condition – I think all Australians will be thinking of her today, and her local community, particularly, will be quite distraught," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Nine's Today on Tuesday.
A 43-year-old man is in custody in connection with the alleged attack, which is also being investigated by counterterrorism authorities
Albanese said on Tuesday that Dr Haines was retrieving something from the boot of her car when the car involved in the attack – a Toyota Landcruiser – made a U-turn before veering off the road and hitting her.
"This wasn't something with a car just going off the off the road, this is something that is very clear was aimed at causing harm to Helen Haines," Albanese told News24.
A knife was seized from inside the vehicle after a bystander performed a citizen's arrest, which Albanese said offered a ray of hope amid the horrific event.
"At this dark and terrible time, a element of light is the fact that a good Samaritan, someone rushed to Helen's defence ... put themselves potentially at risk by doing so, and that person is a hero today," he said.
"At the worst of times, we do see the best of the Australian character, and when it comes to the Australian character, there's no one better than Helen Haines."
The incident is being investigated by Victoria Police's counterterrorism taskforce in conjunction with spy agency ASIO and the Australian Federal Police, with the prime minister saying he will be briefed later today.
Authorities are yet to determine a motive for the attack or establish whether the suspect, from the nearby town of Tarrawingee, is known to Haines.
The prime minister also urged "online sleuths" not to interject debate with unconfirmed rumours while law enforcement did their work.
"What we need is more facts and less speculation at a time like this," he said.
1News Australia correspondent Jacob Johnson has the latest on the attack on independent MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta. (Source: Breakfast)
Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason thanked members of the community who had stepped in to help.
"This would have been a tragic, horrific incident for people to witness," Mason said.
"But I just thank those that were nearby and those that were involved and assisted in detaining the male, and then also provided any assistance to the injured female."
The attack has been condemned by MPs and senators from across the political spectrum.
It was a shocking day for the nation, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said.
"No one should be targeted in this way," he said in a statement.
"Our nation cannot become a place where violent attacks are normalised."
Zali Steggall, who sits next to Haines in the House of Representatives, said she was shocked and devastated.
"I have worked with Helen since 2019 ... she is a wonderful, caring, smart and wise friend and amazing representative for her community," she said in a statement.
"I am thinking of Helen and her wonderful family."
Threats and incidents against federal parliamentarians had increased year on year, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said.
"The year before last, we had 951 reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against various high office holders," Burke told reporters in Sydney.
"The more recent financial year, that 951 has gone to 1067."
Haines represented the best of the nation, crossbench colleague and frequent collaborator David Pocock said.
"Helen represents so much of the values we share as Australians," Senator Pocock said in a post to social media.
"At a moment like this we should turn to them more than ever and be sure to take care of one another."
Greens leader David Shoebridge, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, Victorian Premier Ben Carroll and state Liberal counterpart Jess Wilson were among many others wishing Haines a full recovery.
Haines has represented the regional seat of Indi as an independent since 2019, coming to prominence on her platform of political transparency and integrity.
Her family thanked bystanders and emergency workers who had assisted "our beloved Helen".
"Please keep Helen in your thoughts," they said in a statement.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including an Australian MP is attacked with a car, rare footage of the world’s second largest animal, and the couple going viral for dining during a riot. (Source: 1News)
SHARE ME