Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a joint counterterrorism team had been activated after a vehicle hit independent federal lawmaker Helen Haines in Victoria on Oct. 19, leaving her critically injured.
Victoria Police said the vehicle was understood to be a white Toyota Landcruiser. It hit a 65-year-old woman on Murphy Street in Wangaratta, and Haines’ family identified her as the woman who was injured.
A passerby apprehended the 43-year-old driver at the scene before officers took him into custody, police said.
Albanese told ABC that the collision appeared deliberate, but said it was too early to discuss a motive. Police are still investigating whether the Wangaratta collision was intentional.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll said he was “appalled” and that the incident would be devastating for Wangaratta residents and Haines’ constituents. Haines has represented the Victorian electorate of Indi since 2019 and previously worked as a nurse and midwife.
Police have asked witnesses and anyone with footage of the collision to come forward.
