Independent lawmaker Helen Haines gravely injured in suspected targeted attack in rural Australia

Summary

According to France 24, the rural Australian town of Wangaratta reacted with horror and disbelief on Tuesday after Helen Haines, a highly respected lawmaker, was gravely injured on Monday afternoon in what appeared to be a targeted attack. The 65-year-old former nurse and midwife was struck by a two-tonne SUV. Haines entered parliament in 2019 and earned respect across the political divide for her efforts to stamp out corruption and bolster transparency.

Timeline

1. France 24

   20 Oct 2026, 10:26 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that a rural Australian town felt horror and disbelief after highly respected lawmaker Helen Haines was gravely injured in what looked to be a targeted attack, when she was struck by a two-tonne SUV in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon.