An Australian lawmaker was struck by an SUV on Monday and hospitalized after what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called a “deliberate act.”
Helen Haines, a 65-year-old independent federal legislator, was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser outside of her office in Wangaratta, Victoria, police said on Monday. The incident unfolded near Haines’s electoral district office.
“This wasn’t an accident. There was a deliberate act, it would appear. We don’t know what the motivation is,” Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corp., adding that counterterrorism investigators are looking into the suspect.
The suspect is reportedly a 42-year-old man from Tarrawaingee, a rural community about 35 miles from Wangaratta in Victoria state. Victoria police said a knife was found inside the vehicle, but noted it is not yet known if the suspect knew Haines.
Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason said the vehicle involved in the collision is still on the scene, but said no clear motive has been determined.
“I can provide some assurance to the community that we certainly do not have any intelligence that there is any further or ongoing threat to any other person or the broader community,” Mason said.
Haines was transported to a nearby hospital with critical injuries, and the driver was detained at the scene by a bystander. The country’s broadcasting station reported the lawmaker is undergoing emergency surgery in Melbourne after she suffered severe injuries to her lower body. Haines was scheduled to appear on ABC the morning of the incident.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE ALBERTA REFERENDUM ON LEAVING CANADA
Haines has been in Australia’s Parliament since 2019, and Albanese painted her as an outspoken member of government. The prime minister noted she is a member of a committee that investigates corruption in Australia, calling her a “delight to work with.”
Albanese said the alleged attack on Haines has sent warnings to the government, claiming there has been an uptick in threats against lawmakers. He said there is “too much shouting” and “not enough discourse.”
Continue reading...
[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
