Helen Haines live updates: Victorian premier ‘deeply appalled’ after Helen Haines injured in alleged attack; Angus Taylor calls incident ‘shocking day for our nation’
Anthony Albanese is holding a press conference in Sydney, and says there is a major police investigation underway, and that a suspect is in custody.
He says the motive for the alleged attack is not known.
There is a major police investigation underway, and I can confirm that a suspect is in custody.
The Australian Federal Police, Victorian Police, and Asio are working together on this. The joint counter-terrorism team has been activated, but the motive is not known.
Key events
Albanese says his thoughts and his prayers are with Haines, her family and her community.
Helen Haines is incredibly hardworking. She is fiercely intelligent, but most importantly, she’s just thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity and respected right across the parliament, and from everyone who comes into contact with her, she is a well-loved member of her community, and this will come as an incredible shock to that community.
Our thoughts remain with Helen Haines at this very difficult time.
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, says there has been an increase in reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against MPs and their offices in recent years.
The year before last, we had 951 reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against various high office holders. The more recent financial year, that 951 has gone to 1,067.
Anthony Albanese is holding a press conference in Sydney, and says there is a major police investigation underway, and that a suspect is in custody.
He says the motive for the alleged attack is not known.
There is a major police investigation underway, and I can confirm that a suspect is in custody.
The Australian Federal Police, Victorian Police, and Asio are working together on this. The joint counter-terrorism team has been activated, but the motive is not known.
Nationals frontbencher Michael McCormack, whose electorate shares a border with Haines’ has written on social media:
Sending my love and best wishes to Helen Haines for a full and speedy recovery. Such awful news.
Here’s what we know so far about the incident:
We’re expecting the prime minister and home affairs minister to speak shortly from Sydney.
Helen Haines’ family have released a statement to the media.
They have thanked bystanders, health workers and the police.
This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care. We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response.
Our family, and Helen’s staff, will be making no further comment at this time, and ask that their privacy be respected by the public and media.
Please keep Helen in your thoughts.
Good evening, Krishani Dhanji with you here. We will be bringing you live coverage of the prime minister’s press conference, after an incident that has left independent MP Helen Haines injured.
The incident took place near her office in Wangaratta in regional Victoria.
Anthony Albanese and the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, will be speaking from Sydney shortly.
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