Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has blamed social media for threats to politicians after a suspected car attack on an Independent MP outside her office in regional Victoria.
Helen Haines, the left-wing federal member for Indi, was allegedly hit by man driving a white Toyota LandCruiser in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon, and was rushed to hospital suffering severe lower body injuries. She remains in a critical condition and may lose one or both legs.
Witnesses said the alleged driver went past the 65-year-old mother-of-three on Murphy Street at about 3.30pm before doing a U-turn and returning to slam into Ms Haines as she was removing items from the boot of her car, the Daily Mail reported.
Albanese has already blamed social media. https://t.co/xK8rS8IaCF
— Anthony Khallouf (@ausvstheagenda) October 19, 2026
The alleged driver, a 43-year-old man from the tiny town of Tarrawingee, about 12km from Ms Haines’ office, was wrestled to the ground by witnesses before being arrested moments later and taken to Wangaratta Police Station to be interviewed.
Police confirmed that a knife was seized from the LandCruiser, and said specialist crash investigation teams has been called in from Melbourne.
Police said on Monday evening they were still investigating whether the incident was intentional, but an emotional Mr Albanese said “this was not an accident, there was a deliberate act, it would seem” during an appearance on ABC’s 730.
“The Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO are working together on this. The Joint Counter Terrorism Team has been activated, but the motive is not known,” he said.
When asked whether the country had become more dangerous for politicians, Mr Albanese replied: “It has changed, and there’s no question that social media is a part of that, and so is the contest for clicks.”
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson also made a statement about the incident, which she said had left her feeling “horrified and saddened”.
“Police are investigating, and we should let them do their work,” she said.
“Violence against any elected representative, whoever they are and whatever they stand for, is never acceptable in Australia. Members of parliament and their staff must be able to serve their communities without fearing for their safety.
“I thank the emergency services and the members of the public who rushed to help.”
Ms Haines voted for Mr Albanese’s “hate speech”, “prohibited hate group” and gun control laws brought in after the Bondi Islamic terrorist attack, and supports “net zero”, putting her out of step with much of her traditionally conservative regional electorate.
She won 42.3% of the primary vote in Indi at the 2025 federal election, ahead of the Liberal Party on 30.7%, but a DemosAU poll from earlier this month projected her vote share dropping to 34%, with One Nation on 32%, and the Liberals on 20%.
Mr Albanese’s comments come after Labor introduced its controversial Digital Duty of Care legislation to parliament, which critics warn will allow the government and the unelected eSafety Commissioner to censor political speech on social media.
Header image: Left, Helen Haines (Facebook). Right, Anthony Albanese (730). Inset the white LandCruiser (7News).
