Australian lawmaker Helen Haines critically injured after being struck by a car; PM says it was not an accident

Summary

Australian lawmaker Helen Haines, 65, was struck by a car outside her electoral district office in Wangaratta, Victoria, in the mid-afternoon. The New York Times reports that a suspect is in custody and that the country's counterterrorism team has been activated. NDTV reports that Haines is in critical condition, that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the incident was "not an accident," and that civilians detained the 43-year-old male driver. PBS NewsHour reports that the vehicle was a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV and that the prime minister said it was "no accident."

Timeline

1. The New York Times

   19 Oct 2026, 09:44 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports that Haines, 65, was struck by a car outside her office, that a suspect is in custody, and that the country's counterterrorism team has been activated.

2. NDTV

   19 Oct 2026, 09:52 UTCSource ↗

   NDTV reports that Haines is critical, that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the incident was "not an accident," and that civilians detained the 43-year-old male driver.

3. PBS NewsHour

   19 Oct 2026, 11:45 UTCSource ↗

   PBS NewsHour reports that Haines, 65, was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV outside her electoral district office in Wangaratta, Victoria, and that the prime minister said it was "no accident."