Live: MP Helen Haines critically injured in attack at electorate office, suspect arrested

Independent MP Helen Haines has been seriously injured after being hit by a car near her Wangaratta electorate office in Victoria's north-east.Emergency services responded to calls for assistance on Murphy Street shortly before 4pm.Follow live.Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 7:12pmMon 19 Oct 2026 at 7:12pmHaines 'a thoroughly decent human being': PMThe PM is paying tribute to Helen Haines now, who he describes as "hardworking," and "fiercely intelligent"."Most importantly, she's just a thoroughly decent human being. Full of integrity and respected right across the parliament from everyone who comes into contact with her," he says.He says she's well loved and this attack will comes as an "incredible shock" to the community.Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 7:11pmMon 19 Oct 2026 at 7:11pmVictoria Police arrest 43-year-old suspectVictoria Police have arrested a man over the attack on MP Helen Haines.Police said they believe a 43-year-man driving a white Toyota Landcruiser struck Ms Haines outside her office on Murphy Street about 3.35pm."When he exited the Toyota the driver, a 43-year-old Tarrawingee man, was arrested at the scene by a passerby," Victoria Police said."The woman was taken to hospital with critical injuries."Police said a knife was located by officers and seized from inside the Toyota.Detectives said they are still determining a motive for the alleged attack."At this stage, police are investigating as to whether this was an intentional act," Victoria Police said."It is not known yet if the parties are known to each other."Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 7:09pmMon 19 Oct 2026 at 7:09pmSuspect in custody, Albanese saysPrime Minister Anthony Albanese says it's early in the investigation but confirms a suspect is in custody."There is a major police investigation underway, and I can confirm that a suspect is in custody," he says.Albanese says he has spoken with Victorian Premier Ben Carroll and AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett.But he says it's too early to provide details on what the motivation behind the attack might be.Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 7:08pmMon 19 Oct 2026 at 7:08pmAlbanese praying for Haines 'full recovery'Anthony Albanese begins by saying his thoughts are with Helen Haines family, friends and team."We are praying for her full recovery. I want to thank the first responders for their extraordinary work," he says.The prime minister confirms she was attacked outside of her electorate office.Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 7:06pmMon 19 Oct 2026 at 7:06pmAnthony Albanese is speaking nowThe prime minister has just stepped up to the podium in Sydney. He's appearing alongside Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:59pmMon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:59pmMore photos from the sceneThere is still a heavy police presence in Wangaratta near Helen Haines's office.Emergency services responded to calls for assistance on Murphy Street shortly before 4pm.(ABC News)(ABC News)(ABC News)Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:53pmMon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:53pmStatement from the Haines familyWe've just received a statement from the family of Helen Haines.This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care. We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response.Our family, and Helen's staff, will be making no further comment at this time, and ask that their privacy be respected by the public and media.Please keep Helen in your thoughts.Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:51pmMon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:51pmWho is Helen Haines?Helen Haines secured her third term as an Independent in the federal seat of Indi in the last federal election.Indi covers much of Victoria's north-east, and encompasses the cities of Wodonga, Wangaratta and Benalla.The seat was once held by conservatives for more than 80-years, which they tried hard to win it back last year.Since 2013, two independents have held the seat.It was the first federal seat to have one independent succeed another.Ms Haines secured the seat with an 8.6 per cent margin at the 2025 election.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:49pmMon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:49pmPrime Minister Anthony Albanese to speakThe prime minister will speak at a press conference at 7pm.The ABC understands Mr Albanese will be addressing the incident in Wangaratta.We'll bring you all the details of that speech here in the live blog.Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:45pmMon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:45pmWhat we know so farIndependent MP Helen Haines has been seriously injured in an incident near her electorate office in Wangaratta, north-east of Melbourne.Emergency services were called to the incident in Wangaratta, just after 3.30pm.A witness has told the ABC they heard a bang and saw a woman pinned between two cars.Another witness said they pulled a man out of a white Landcruiser and found a knife in his pocket.He says police intervened within minutes.Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:44pmMon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:44pmPhotos from the sceneThe street outside Ms Haines's electorate office was closed in both directions as police responded to the incident.We'll have more details as they come to hand.(ABC News: Annie Brown)(ABC News: Annie Brown)Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:40pmMon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:40pmWelcome to the live blogIndependent MP Helen Haines has been seriously injured in an incident near her electorate office in Wangaratta.Emergency services responded to calls for assistance on Murphy Street shortly before 4pm.Ms Haines has been the federal member for Indi since 2019.