Fastrack · Independent MP Helen Haines Hit by Car Outside Office

A car struck Independent MP Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta electoral office on Monday afternoon. Police arrested the driver at the scene.

65-year-old Haines was struck and pinned under the vehicle, police said.
43-year-old Tarrawingee man was detained at the scene by a passerby.
3:30 p.m. Monday: Haines was hit outside her Murphy Street office.
Vehicle reports differ: police cited a Toyota, Daily Mail a white Land Rover.

Why it matters: Albanese said Haines, who represents Indi, had been attacked. He said the Joint Counter Terrorism Team has been activated.

Federal police, Victoria Police and ASIO are working together.
Police say they are examining whether the act was intentional.

How 17 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 17 sources

17 sources · 20 articles · 47% Center coverage

Where they split: Coverage does not split politically, but outlets differ on the vehicle and where a knife was found: police say inside the car, while Daily Mail cites a barber who said it was in the driver's pocket.

Center8 sources

Associated Press2hPolice say a car has hit an Australian lawmaker, critically injuring her; the driver was arrested Bloomberg2hAustralian Lawmaker Injured in Suspected Attack CTV News28mAustralian prime minister says lawmaker critically injured by car is 'no accident'Newsweek1hHelen Haines 'Attack': Australia MP Hit by Car, in Critical Condition Reuters2hAustralia PM says independent MP Helen Haines has been attacked Sky News2hAustralian MP attacked outside her office, says PM The Hill2hPolice say a car has hit an Australian lawmaker, critically injuring her; the driver was arrested Yahoo News1hAustralian lawmaker Helen Haines in critical condition after vehicle attack

Left coverage, 6 sources: The left frames it as an attack on a sitting lawmaker, highlighting the arrest and the counterterrorism investigation.

The Independent1hPolice say a car has hit an Australian lawmaker, critically injuring her; the driver was arrested ABC News2hPolice say a car has hit an Australian lawmaker, critically injuring her CNN1hAustralian MP Helen Haines critically injured after attack by car Politico2hIndependent MP Helen Haines critically injured in attack near electorate office The Boston Globe2hPolice say a car has hit an Australian lawmaker, critically injuring her; the driver was arrested The Guardian2hIndependent MP Helen Haines fighting for life after incident outside Wangaratta office in regional Victoria

Right coverage, 3 sources: The right centers on Haines' injuries and on the local barber who said he subdued the driver.

Daily Mail30mAustralian MP fighting for life after being hit by a car outside her office - as shaken PM confirms she was 'attacked' and counter terror units investigating New York Post1hAustralian politician critically injured after being struck by car outside her office The Epoch Times10hAustralian MP Critically Injured in Car Attack, Counter-Terror Agencies Investigating

What’s next: Police say the driver will be interviewed about the incident.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives were sent to the scene.
What motive, if any, did the driver have?
Did the driver and Haines know each other?
How serious are Haines' injuries? Police described them as critical in one statement and as severe lower-body injuries in another.