Knife found in car after Australian lawmaker critically injured; prime minister says apparent attack was no accident

Crash outside district office

Haines, 65, was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV in mid-afternoon outside her electoral district office in Wangaratta. Police said she was taken to hospital with critical injuries. She was first elected to Parliament in 2019.

A passerby arrested the 43-year-old driver at the scene. Police said the driver would be interviewed in connection with the incident. Officers also found and seized a knife from inside the Toyota.

Investigation into possible intent

Albanese said a national counterterrorism team, bringing together police and intelligence agencies, was investigating the case. He told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that the incident appeared to be deliberate, but authorities did not know the motive.

Police said they were investigating whether the incident was intentional. The prime minister’s assessment and the police statement both pointed to possible deliberate action, while the motive remained unknown.

Renewed focus on lawmakers’ safety

The incident has revived concerns about the security of Australian politicians, who have traditionally been accessible to the public and often work without security officers. The article reports that public incitement against officials is growing.

Political climate and security changes

Albanese said political polarization had already led to security changes for lawmakers. He described the political atmosphere as increasingly heated, with too much shouting and too little discussion or polite disagreement.

He also said social media played a part. The account noted that killings of politicians in Britain have led to stronger security, citing Labour lawmaker Jo Cox, who was killed in 2016, and Conservative David Amess, who was killed in 2021.