According to a report by the BBC on October 20th, Australian politician Helen Haynes is currently in critical condition but stable after being struck by a car twice. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described this as an 'intentional' act.
It is reported that the 65-year-old independent member of parliament was struck outside her polling station in Victoria’s Wongalata on Monday afternoon. She was then airlifted to a hospital in Melbourne. According to local media reports, she has undergone surgery and lost a leg.
A 43-year-old man from nearby Tallawinge, named Brendan Newkint, has been listed as a suspect. He was taken away by a bystander at the scene. Police said that a knife was found in his car.
Various political figures from different parties have condemned this attack. Australia is shocked, as political violence is very rare in the country.
The incident occurred around 3:35 PM on Monday. Haines was hit by a white Toyota Land Cruiser outside his office on Wongala Tae Murphy Street. Interior Minister Tony Burke said that the alleged driver first turned around to adjust its position, and then struck Haines twice.
Eyewitnesses described that the driver made a turn and entered the parking lot, crashing Helen into a car, then reversed again and struck her.
The local barber, Ricky Jeffries, witnessed the incident. It was he who rushed to the scene, pulled the man out of the car, and kept him under control until the police arrived.
According to the BBC, the suspect in this case, Newkint, is an environmental activist. He is still in custody and being questioned by police. The police have not confirmed whether this attack was intentional, nor have they revealed any possible motives.
Victoria State police are conducting a joint investigation with the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO). Australian Federal Police Commissioner Kris Leterrier stated on the 20th that the incident appears to be "isolated," and there is currently no evidence of any further threats related to it.
Political leaders have expressed shock and grief over this incident. Albornes said, "Our society will never tolerate violence." He stated that it is still too early to speculate on the motives behind the event, but he has frequently mentioned with emotion that the political atmosphere in Australia is becoming increasingly tense.
Various sectors have expressed their respect for Hains. She was elected in 2019 and is highly respected among her colleagues. Albinas called her a “truly upright person”.
Haines proposed a legislative bill to establish a national anti-corruption oversight agency in 2022, and is recognized as a key figure in promoting the creation of a national anti-corruption committee by the Labour government. Before becoming a politician, Haines worked as a nurse, midwife, and public health researcher.
She is a member of the parliamentary committee responsible for overseeing the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and often collaborates with other key independent parliamentarians on issues such as climate action and gender equality.
Single-National Party leader and senator Pauline Hansen said that violence against elected representatives is 'absolutely unacceptable', and that lawmakers and their staff 'must be able to serve the community without worrying about their own safety'.
