Helen Haines: independent MP in critical condition in Melbourne’s Alfred hospital after being struck by car in Wangaratta – follow updates

<p>A joint counter-terrorism taskforce is investigating the incident, which Anthony Albanese alleged ‘wasn’t an accident’</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/19/mp-helen-haines-injured-incident-wangaratta-ntwnfb">‘Deeply appalled’: politicians condemn alleged attack after Helen Haines critically injured</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/19/who-is-helen-haines-the-mp-allegedly-attacked-in-victoria-ntwnfb">Helen Haines, the principled MP respected across parliament</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/19/helen-haines-alleged-attack-wangaratta-what-we-know-so-far-ntwnfb">What we know so far</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">new political email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>First of all let’s set out what we know so far about what happened in Wangaratta yesterday.
<br></p><p><strong>Helen Haines</strong> has been critically injured in an alleged attack involving a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, regional <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/victoria">Victoria</a>, at about 3.35pm on Monday.</p><p>The independent MP was taken to Melbourne’s Alfred hospital and underwent surgery overnight. She remains in a critical condition.</p><p>A 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee is in custody, and the alleged attack is being investigated by the Australian federal police (AFP), Asio and