Helen Haines struggles between life and death. The Australian MP was seriously injured after being hit by an SUV in front of her electoral office in Wangaratta, in the state of Victoria, Australia. The local police arrested the man who was behind the wheel and also seized a knife found inside the vehicle.
Albanian: “Serious attack”
Australian intelligence and the joint anti-terrorism task force are investigating the episode, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke of a “serious attack”, although the motive still remains a mystery: “All my thoughts are with Helen, her family, friends, her team and her community at this difficult time. Haines is an extremely dedicated person at work. She has great intelligence, but above all she is a deeply decent person, with integrity and respected throughout Parliament and by anyone who comes into contact with her. She is a much loved figure in his community, who will certainly be deeply shocked by what happened.”
“It wasn’t an accident”
Both the prime minister and the local police have ruled out recent direct threats against the deputy. However, during the ABC program ‘7.30’, Albanese admitted that “tension has risen lately” in the political debate, fueling the risk of violence already seen in other Western democracies. The prime minister then explained that initially they thought it was a road accident: “It wasn’t an accident. There was an intentional act, it would seem.”
The Home Secretary, Tony Burke, also confirmed the increase in threats to politicians: “Two years ago, we recorded 951 reports of harassing and threatening behavior towards various senior civil servants. In the most recent financial year, that figure rose from 951 to 1,067.”
The family note
The MP’s family thanked emergency workers in a statement: “This afternoon, our dear Helen was involved in an accident outside her constituency office in Wangaratta and is receiving medical attention. We thank those present and the healthcare workers who rescued her for their timely response, as well as the 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 the media. Please keep Helen in your thoughts your thoughts.”
A man arrested
Haines was transported by air ambulance to Melbourne, while the police stopped a 43-year-old from Tarrawingee, found in possession of a knife in the car, a white Toyota LandCruiser which hit the 65-year-old around 3.35pm. The man, according to the police note, was blocked by a passer-by who had just got out of the vehicle: “The police arrested a man after a woman was hit by a vehicle this afternoon in Wangaratta. According to initial reconstructions, a white Toyota LandCruiser hit the 65-year-old woman in front of an office in Murphy Street, around 3.35pm”.
The condolence of politics
Victorian Deputy Prime Minister Ben Carroll also said he was shocked: “My thoughts and those of all Victorians are with Helen, her family, her friends, her colleagues and her community.” Opposition leader Angus Taylor commented on social media: “This is a shocking day for our nation. Australians will be outraged and shocked by the attack on Helen outside her constituency office in Wangaratta.” MP Michael McCormack added: “I express all my love and best wishes to Helen Haines, with the hope of a speedy and complete recovery.”