Australian MP Helen Haines critically injured in deliberate vehicle attack
publishers 35articles 36first reported 19 Oct, 08:35 UTCdeveloping since 19 Oct · 9 editions
Independent Australian lawmaker Helen Haines remained in critical but stable condition on Tuesday after being deliberately struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said early inquiries indicated that Haines, 65, was loading or unloading items from her car when a white Toyota Land Cruiser made a U-turn and hit her on Monday. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said witnesses reported that the driver then reversed and struck her a second time before bystanders intervened.
Haines underwent surgery overnight after being transferred from a Wangaratta hospital to Melbourne. Her family thanked bystanders, health workers and police for their assistance.
Police arrested a 43-year-old man at the scene. Local barber Ricky Jefferies said he helped restrain the man and removed a knife from him; police confirmed that a knife was recovered. The suspect remained in custody Tuesday and was expected to be interviewed.
A national counterterrorism team involving police and intelligence agencies is participating in the investigation. Authorities said the motive remained unknown and the incident appeared to be isolated. Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police were considering potential charges, including causing harm to a public official.
Albanese described the incident as a deliberate act rather than an accident and called for Australians to lower the temperature of political debate.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 30 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 35
- Source articles
- 36
- Given to the writer
- 8, 6 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 30 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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