A local barber in Wangaratta was among a group of by-standers who were first on the scene and detained the driver of the car that hit Helen Haines.

"It happened directly out the front of my shop," Ricky Jefferies tells national broadcaster ABC, recalling the moment he grabbed the man out of the white Toyota Landcruiser.

"When I pulled him out from the vehicle I searched him and found a knife in his pocket.

"I had him sit on the ground and police got there within minutes. A number of selfless locals intervened, they were all heroes."

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Jefferies, calling him a hero, during an interview on Channel Nine’s Today show this morning.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been on local radio this morning, with more details on what he calls a "deliberate act" against Helen Haines, the independent MP for Indi.

He says the suspect drove past Haines and did a U-turn "in order to get back" to where she was before hitting her with the car.

"It's clear this was a deliberate act," he tells ABC News, adding it was not an "accident".

The motive for the attack is not clear, he says, and we shouldn't speculate at this point as police continue their investigations.

Image source, Getty Images

Australian MP Helen Haines has undergone surgery and remains in a critical condition this morning after she was hit by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria, yesterday afternoon.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the incident was a "deliberate act" but it's unclear what the motive was behind the attack.

Speaking this morning on local radio, Albanese says the suspect appears to have done a U-turn shortly before driving the car to hit Haines.

Police arrested a 43-year-old man who was driving the car and he remains in police custody.

Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates.

Lucy Gilder
Live reporter

Image source, Reuters

Australian MP Helen Haines is in a critical condition in hospital after being hit by a car in Wangaratta, Victoria.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as an "attack", although police have said they're currently investigating whether it was "intentional" and any motive behind it.

A 43-year-old man, from nearby Tarrawingee, was detained at the scene by a passer-by before being taken into custody.

Images showed multiple emergency service vehicles nearby Haines' electorate office in Wangaratta.

Haines, 65, has been taken to a Melbourne hospital by helicopter, with her family thanking "the swift assistance of bystanders".

There has been widespread reaction, with tributes, prayers and resolve from political leaders.

Today's incident is a "deeply uncomfortable wake-up call" for Australia and its politicians, writes our correspondent.

• We're now ending our live coverage, but you can continue reading more about the story here

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier, we brought you reaction from Australia's political leaders. Here's how some other politicians have been responding:

Shock and anger

"I'm absolutely shocked and gutted by the horrific and senseless attack," says Senator Raff Ciccone, who chairs the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

Also "shocked and saddened" is shadow treasurer Tim Wilson, while South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas describes the incident as "deeply distressing".

Personal tributes

"Helen is one of the kindest and most decent people I have the privilege to know and work with," says Education Minister Jason Clare.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers describes her as "wonderful and thoughtful", and Speaker of the House of Representatives Milton Dick says Haines "brings so much grace, compassion and decency to our Parliament".

Love and prayers

Independent MP Monique Ryan is among those "praying for Helen and her family", as are Senator Fatima Payman and federal Queensland MP Shayne Neumann.

"Sending my love and best wishes to Helen Haines for a full and speedy recovery," says shadow minister Michael McCormack.

Calls to action

"No one should have to fear for their safety while doing their job," says shadow minister Lachlan Hunter.

"We must stand together to defend our democracy and stand against political hatred and violence," adds shadow minister Bridget McKenzie. "Our country is better than this."

Image source, Getty Images

Security protection for politicians in Australia depends on their office and risk factors.

For instance, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) provides ongoing personal protection for senior figures such as the prime minister and governor-general.

For lower-ranked ministers, opposition members and backbench MPs, it depends on whether they're deemed to be at risk - individual assessments are carried out by the Protective Security Coordination Centre at the Department of Home Affairs.

Australian authorities play close attention to what happens in other Western democracies, with a parliamentary report on politically motivated violence earlier this year drawing attention to a number of international incidents.

They included the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in 2024; and the murders of British MPs Jo Cox (2016) and David Amess (2021), and US Minnesota representative Melissa Hortman (2025).

The murder of Amess prompted a review of Australian politician safety by the AFP.

This is a deeply uncomfortable wake-up call that Australia is vulnerable toopublished at 14:50 BST

14:50 BST

Katy Watson
Australia correspondent

While the police are saying there’s an ongoing investigation and it’s a critical incident, it feels like the politicians have been briefed and are being very clear that this is a deliberate attack.

The prime minister talked about the political temperature rising here in Australia - but that it’s not an isolated Australian thing.

He talked about there being no place for violence in a democracy. High levels of security around politicians is not something we see here.

And in terms of regional offices such as this one in Wangaratta, there wouldn't have been any security in that sense because this is a country that hasn’t historically faced threats towards its politicians.

Australia often feels isolated - insulated - from the problems faced in other parts of the world.

But like Bondi last year, which was a devastating attack causing deep sadness and shock - this too feels like a deeply uncomfortable wake-up call - that Australia is vulnerable too.

Image source, Reuters

Australian MP Helen Haines is a "deeply valued member of the Wangaratta community", according to local mayor Irene Grant.

Wangaratta is a city in the north-east of Victoria, Australia, with a population of about 30,000 people.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Rural City of Wangaratta, Grant says "our thoughts are with Helen Haines, her husband Phil and their family, Helen’s team and everyone affected by today’s incident".

Speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne, Grant says: "My father had a surgery at the hospital when Helen was a nurse there and her kindness and the way she dealt with my dad, who was not an easy person to deal with, was fabulous."

"She's been someone who's been very much focused on the local community, and I'm significantly distressed about what I'm hearing," Grant adds.

Helen Haines has been taken by helicopter to a hospital in Melbourne, according to hospital officials.

The helicopter brought Haines from Wangaratta to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, with a spokesperson telling the BBC she remains in a critical condition.

The hospital adds there'll be no further updates on her condition for the rest of the day.

Image source, Google Maps

Image source, Getty Images

While it's too early to understand the motivation behind what's happened, the "deliberate act" comes against the backdrop of rising threats against politicians in Australia.

A parliamentary report warned last year that threats and physical attacks had increased "significantly over the past decade" - and as we reported earlier, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says reports of threatening or harassing behaviour towards politicians had risen from 951 to 1,067 in the past year.

A threat assessment by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) - the country's equivalent of Britain's MI5 - warned last year that the risk of politically motivated violence was "already flashing red".

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has received death threats and was reportedly the target of an alleged kidnapping threat in late 2025, appeared close to tears when he was asked whether he and his colleagues talk among themselves about the threats and risks they face.

"Yes," he replied, adding: "My concern at this point in time is for one, one of my colleagues."

Angus Thompson
Live reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Although not necessarily a household name across Australia, in the political sphere Helen Haines is both well-known and well regarded.

So much is obvious from the outpouring of messages from politicians and party leaders across the breadth of the political spectrum. In an age of increasingly divisive politics, she is seen by many as a unifying force.

The independent MP has only been a federal parliamentarian for a relatively short time - having been elected in 2019. However, in that time she has become an influential advocate for integrity in politics.

Haines proposed legislation for a national anti-corruption watchdog in 2021, and has been credited for driving the creation of the National Anti-Corruption Commission under Labor in the previous parliamentary term.

She currently sits on the parliamentary committee responsible for its oversight.

Haines has often banded together with other key independents - including the so-called "teals" - who have formed a progressive, lower house bloc on issues that include climate action and gender equality.

Allegra Spender, another independent MP who has collaborated with Haines, has called Haines "the best of us".

Below are the first images we've received from the scene.

Police say the incident happened on Murphy Street - these images show part of the road cordoned off, with emergency services present.

As we've reported, Haines's family has released a statement saying the incident happened outside her office on the same street.

Image source, AuBC Via AP

Image source, AuBC Via AP

Image source, AuBC Via AP

Image source, AFP/FairFax Media/Getty Images

As we've reported, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese - who leads Australia's Labor Party - describes the incident as an "attack", and has said: "There is no place for violence in a democracy."

Opposition leader Angus Taylor - head of the Liberal Party - says he is "deeply saddened and distressed" by the news, and says that Australians will be "angry and appalled by the attack on Helen".

Senator Matt Canavan, leader of The Nationals, says his heart goes out to Helen Haines and her family "upon the news of this shocking attack". He goes on: "I pray for her full recovery from this traumatic time."

Greens leader Senator David Shoebridge says he is "horrified" to hear of the "apparent attack", adding: "Helen is an extraordinary human being and brings people together like few others."

And Senator Pauline Hanson, One Nation leader, says violence against elected representatives is "never acceptable". She adds: "Members of parliament and their staff must be able to serve their communities without fearing for their safety."

Image source, Getty Images

It's now been more than six hours since the Australian MP Helen Haines was hit by a car in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called an "attack". Here's what we do and don't know about the incident.

What we know

• Haines's family says the incident happened outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, in the state of Victoria
• She was hit by a white Toyota Landcruiser at 15:35 local time (05:35 BST), police say

• A 43-year-old Tarrawingee man was arrested at the scene by a passerby - police say a knife was found in the car
• They say they are investigating whether "this was an intentional act", but that they do not believe there is an "ongoing threat to the community"
• Albanese says "this wasn’t an accident" and "there was a deliberate act, it would appear" - he also says counter terror police are involved in the investigation

What we don't know

• Haines sustained "critical injuries" according to police, but we don't know any specifics about her condition
• As stated above, police say they are still investigating whether this was a deliberate act
• The suspect has not yet been named by officials

This is a developing story so stay with us as we bring you the latest updates.

Helen Haines's family says the incident happened outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, a city of around 30,000 a few hours north-east of Melbourne in the state of Victoria.

Police say she was hit outside an office on Murphy Street at about 15:35 local time (05:35 BST).

A man from Tarrawingee - a rural town just east of the city - was arrested at the scene, police say.

Simon Atkinson
Australia reporter

Image source, Sydney Morning Herald via Getty Images

Australia’s opposition leader Angus Taylor says he is "deeply saddened and distressed" by the news.

He says: "I’m praying for Helen and thinking of her family and loved ones. This is a shocking day for our nation. No one should be targeted in this way.

"Australians will be angry and appalled by the attack on Helen outside her electorate office in Wangaratta.

"Our nation cannot become a place where violent attacks are normalised."

Taylor says he had spoken with the prime minister, saying "we are united in our view that political violence must never be accepted as part of public life".

"I hope Helen, her family and her community across north-east Victoria know that Australians right across the country are thinking of them and holding them in their thoughts during this incredibly difficult time."

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier of Victoria, Ben Carroll, says he is "deeply appalled" by this "violent attack".

"I know how devastating this will be for the Wangaratta community and all those who Helen represents," he says.

He says his thoughts are with Helen, her loved ones, and all those in the state of Victoria, and thanks the police for their "swift action" in apprehending the suspect.

As we've been reporting, police say Haines was hit by a vehicle in Wangaratta, a city in Victoria. The suspect was initially detained by a passer-by.

Victoria Police say a 43-year-old male suspect was arrested after Helen Haines was struck by a car near her office in Wangaratta, a city north-east of Melbourne.

Here's what we know so far about him:

• The suspect is from Tarrawingee, a nearby community in Victoria
• He was driving a white Toyota Land Cruiser
• A knife was found inside the vehicle
• The suspect was arrested at the scene by a passer-by, before being taken into custody by police
• Any motive is not known, although Australian PM Anthony Albanese says counter-terror officers are involved

Katy Watson
Australia correspondent

The police are calling this a "serious" incident, while Anthony Albanese is calling it an "attack" - so politicians have clearly been briefed on the nature of what happened this afternoon.

The prime minister said it was too early to understand the motivation behind what happened, but he did say that the political temperature has been rising in Australia. And his Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke backed up that statement with some figures in the news conference they have just given.

Burke said reports of threatening or harassing behaviour towards politicians had risen from 951 to 1,067 in the past year.

Simon Atkinson
Australia reporter

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese became emotional as he talked about Helen Haines in a live television interview on ABC's 730.

The PM appeared close to tears when he was asked whether he and his colleagues talk among themselves about the threats and risks they face.

"Yes," he replied, adding: "My concern at this point in time is for one, one of my colleagues."

He described Helen Haines as having "integrity".

"She's someone who is very passionate about her community. She's someone who's not shy about coming forward, about what she thinks that community needs."

Albanese added: "I don't want to see a political system in which you can't have conversations with people at the supermarket, in the street, at street meetings, public forums.

"That's the important part of our democracy.

"I think there has been a rise in temperature. And there has been too much shouting, not enough discourse. Not enough polite conversation and disagreement.

"And in a democracy, we should be able to have discussion, political debate, put different views, but do it in a way that is respectful."

Image source, EPA