Helen Haines' heartfelt message about Australia and the national flag hours before she was deliberately attacked
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Federal MP Helen Haines shared a statement about what it meant to be Australian and having 'pride' in the country almost 24 hours before she was struck by a car.
Haines, 65, was retrieving belongings from the boot of her car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon when she was struck multiple times by a white 1997 Toyota LandCruiser.
Witnesses alleged the driver made a U-turn before appearing to direct the vehicle towards the mother-of-three and grandmother.
The independent MP for Indi was pinned by the four-wheel-drive and suffered 'severe' lower body injuries. She was airlifted to Melbourne where she underwent emergency surgery overnight.
Brendan Nugent, 43, from near Wangaratta, was arrested at the scene. No charges have been laid.
On Sunday afternoon, less than 24 hours before the incident, Haines shared a photo of herself holding the national flag and reflected on what it meant to be Australian.
'Our national flags are powerful symbols of who we are as Australians - our history, our values and the country we're proud to call home,' she said on social media.
'It's been an honour to present flags to St Joseph's Primary School in Benalla, local students undertaking Rotary exchanges, such as Lucy who is heading to Germany, and Kerribana Primary School in Baranduda.'
Federal MP Helen Haines spoke about what it meant to be Australian a day before she was struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office on Monday
Haines underwent emergency surgery in Melbourne overnight after suffering serious injuries
She was retrieving belongings from the boot of her car when she was repeatedly struck by a white 1997 Toyota LandCruiser and suffered 'severe' lower-body injuries
She added: 'I hope these flags inspire pride in our country and conversations about what it means to be Australian.'
Haines, who has been the federal MP for Indi since 2019, has been a vocal advocate for gambling reform, mental health support, increasing welfare payments and universal access to early childhood education and care.
She has also supported reforms to aged care and the NDIS, drawing on her experience as a midwife and a nurse.
Haines is widely respected across the political spectrum and is known for advocating integrity in politics. She was also a key figure in the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
In a statement released an hour before the incident, Haines welcomed the appointment of a new NACC commissioner and deputy, saying it was a necessary 'reset' for the integrity body.
Leaders across the political aisle have rushed to share messages of support for Haines.
'There's a reason why Helen Haines is so loved and admired, because she's someone of integrity,' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the ABC's 7.30 on Monday.
'She's someone who treats everyone with respect, and she's someone who is a beacon of light for that community there in northern Victoria.'
Brendan Nugent, 43, from near Wangaratta, was arrested at the scene. No charges have been laid
Anthony Albanese said there had been a concerning rise in people threatening politicians
Albanese said the motive for the 'deliberate attack' remained unclear, but noted there had been a significant increase in the number of people charged with threatening politicians.
'It's important in a democracy that people are allowed to have disagreements,' he said.
'But that doesn't mean that you have to draw into question people's motivations or their patriotism or who they are.
'We've seen, I think, political discourse go in the wrong direction in recent times and I want us to acknowledge (that) in the way that politics is conducted.'
Allegra Spender, a fellow community independent, called Haines 'the best of us'.
'Helen is one of the most outstanding people in parliament,' she said.
'Whether you agree with her or you don't on issues, you would be proud to see how she approaches issues in the parliament; with compassion, with rigour, everything that you would want from a politician.'
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