Albanese Says Vehicle Strike on Helen Haines Appeared Deliberate

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the vehicle strike that critically injured independent MP Helen Haines appeared deliberate, while stressing that the motive was unknown. He confirmed a joint counterterrorism investigation involving Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and ASIO. Police said bystanders detained a 43-year-old driver after a vehicle struck the 65-year-old outside offices on Murphy Street in Wangaratta at about 3:35pm on Monday; officers arrested him on arrival. Police said they seized a knife from inside the vehicle and were treating the incident as isolated.