Man charged with attack on Australian MP as suspect’s father says she is family friend
A 43-year-old man has been charged over an alleged attack in which independent Australian MP Helen Haines was struck by a car outside her office in Wangaratta, Victoria. Police say they will allege the incident was targeted; Haines is in a critical but stable condition after surgery.
The suspect is due in court on Wednesday on charges including dangerous driving causing serious injury and harming a public official. Haines, 65, represents Indi and has been a prominent crossbench MP since winning the seat in 2019. The suspect’s father and his partner said they had been friends with Haines for more than 20 years and offered support to her family.
- A man faces charges over the alleged attack on Helen Haines.
- Police say the incident appears to have been targeted.
- Haines remains critically ill after surgery.