An Australian lawmaker was “attacked” on Monday outside her electorate office in the state of Victoria, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, in an incident that prompted the authorities to activate the country’s counterterrorism unit.
Helen Haines, an independent lawmaker, was hit by a white Toyota Land Cruiser outside her office in Wangaratta, in the southern state of Victoria, on Monday at 3.35 p.m, Victoria Police said.
The driver, a 43-year-old man, “was arrested at the scene by a passerby” when he exited the car, the police said. The suspect is now in police custody and there was no threat to the broader community, according to Victoria Police’s acting superintendent, Ashley Mason. Police said a knife was found in the vehicle.
Ms. Haines, 65, was critically injured and was taken to the hospital, Victoria Police said in a statement. No further information about her condition was released.
Addressing the nation in a news conference, Mr. Albanese said the counterterrorism unit had been activated and was working with the local police, as well as the country’s spy agency. No motive had been determined, he said.
“It is too early in this investigation for me to provide you with details of what the motivation is behind this attack,” Mr. Albanese told reporters on Monday evening. “Our thoughts are with Helen and her recovery at this time.”
Speaking on television after the news conference, Mr. Albanese called on Australians to engage in respectful political debate and said the “temperature has undoubtedly increased.”
Tony Burke, the home affairs minister, said earlier that there had been 951 incidents of harassing and threatening behavior against high office holders from July 2024 to June 2025. During that same period from 2025 to 2026, there were 1,067 incidents.
Ms. Haines is an independent member of Parliament who represents the federal seat of Indi, which is in Victoria’s northeast and encompasses the cities of Wodonga, Wangaratta and Benalla.
In a statement on social media, her family said that Ms. Haines was receiving medical treatment.
“This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care,” said the statement. “Please keep Helen in your thoughts.”
Her family and office staff asked for privacy.
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