Australia’s Parliament was due to devote much of its Oct. 26 sitting to tributes for independent MP Helen Haines, after Victoria Police alleged a vehicle struck her outside her office.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was expected to move a motion giving lawmakers time to send messages of support, ABC News reported. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet calendar schedules House sittings and supplementary budget estimates for Oct. 26-29.
Police allege a white Toyota LandCruiser struck Haines, 65, on Murphy Street in Wangaratta on Oct. 19; they have described the incident as targeted. A 43-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. The charges are allegations, not findings of guilt. Police said the incident appeared isolated and that they knew of no related threats at the time. They have not announced a motive.
The Alfred hospital said Oct. 24 that Haines was in serious but stable condition. ABC News reported that she had lost both legs; her husband told the broadcaster that the second amputation took place Oct. 21.
Separately, The Guardian reported that Senator Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, said the party’s “Please Explain” cartoons would remain. Hanson wrote on social media, “They will not be going anywhere,” The Guardian reported. The outlet said earlier episodes showing politicians being run over drew fresh attention after Haines’ injury, although those episodes predated it. ABC News reported Hanson apologized Oct. 20 for a separate cartoon mocking Senator Jacqui Lambie’s health condition and said she had asked its creator to change it.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett told ABC News she saw political rhetoric as linked to threats against elected officials. “Words matter, and we do see the flow-on impact from that,” Barrett said. ABC also reported that Haines signed a civility pledge earlier in 2026. Some crossbench members backed calls for parliamentarians to sign it, in an effort inspired by the family of British MP Jo Cox, who was murdered in 2016. Parliament was due to return to its usual schedule Tuesday, Oct. 27.
