# Lawmaker attacked in rural Australia

> Australian lawmaker Helen Haines critically injured in deliberate car attack.
- Title: Lawmaker attacked in rural Australia · Malay Mail | Shortify
- Summary: Australian lawmaker Helen Haines critically injured in deliberate car attack. Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines was critically injured in a…
- Keywords: helen haines, wangaratta, australia, rural australia, political violence, car attack, australian politician, independent lawmaker, news, world, Lawmaker, attacked
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/10/20/horror-and-disbelief-after-lawmaker-attacked-in-rural-australia/239830
- Published: 2026-10-20T21:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: helen haines, wangaratta, australia, rural australia, political violence, car attack, australian politician, independent lawmaker, news, world
## Helen Haines attacked
Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines was critically injured in a deliberate car attack in Wangaratta, Australia.

> a woman places flowers outside the office of Australian politician Helen Haines in the northern regional city of Wangaratta, about 250 kilometres north-east of Melbourne on October 20, 2026
## Attack details
Haines was struck by a 43-year-old man driving a Toyota Land Cruiser while collecting items from her car's trunk.
## Critical condition
Haines underwent surgery overnight but remains in critical condition after the attack.
## Community reaction
Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant described the town as feeling horror and disbelief after the attack on the well-respected lawmaker.

> helen was well respected. she was diligent and hard working
## Local perspective
Florist Jess Woodrow called Haines a 'beautiful person' who was 'devastated' by the attack.

> helen was a beautiful person. she didn’t have a bad bone in her body
## Political background
Haines entered parliament in 2019, representing the seat of Indi with over 18,000 votes at the 2025 election.
## Prime Minister's statement
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Haines for her kindness, compassion, and role as a respected advocate across the political spectrum.

> helen haines is characterised by her kindness, her compassion, her diligence, her intelligence
## Key takeaway

Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines was critically injured in a deliberate car attack in Wangaratta, Australia, after being struck by a 43-year-old man driving a Toyota Land Cruiser.