Australian intelligence agencies will today brief anxious federal politicians about a worsening security environment as independent MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition after being struck by a vehicle outside her regional Victorian office. Source: The Age.
The member for Indi, 65, lost one of her legs and surgeons were trying to save the other at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital yesterday. Victoria Police have charged Brendan Nugent, 43, over what they say was a targeted incident. He will appear in court today.
The attack on Haines has alarmed state and federal MPs who have been subject to increasingly threatening behaviour in recent years. As One Nation leader Pauline Hanson blamed state premiers and the Prime Minister for enabling division and hatred, other MPs said it was time for reflection, not finger-pointing.
The Home Affairs Department, ASIO and Australian Federal Police will address parliamentarians in several sessions today, while Victoria is contemplating increased security at next month’s state election.
“Everyone in public office carries a level of risk now – everyone,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said yesterday. Federal police have received 1067 reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against high officeholders in 2025-26, up from 951 the financial year before.
But Ms Haines seemed to MPs and her constituents an unlikely target, and politicians across the political divide yesterday described the non-partisan MP as a kind, decent, respectful and community-driven local member.
Mr Albanese yesterday met with law enforcement heads following the Monday’s incident. Vision from the meeting shows him seated alongside Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, Victorian Premier Ben Carroll, Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Mike Bush, Victorian Police Minister Paul Edbrooke and Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett.
Victoria Police is leading the investigation, supported by the state’s counterterrorism team, the Australian Federal Police and ASIO.
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said Monday’s incident had happened in an environment where increased levels of grievance, intolerance and polarisation had made violence seem permissible.
“I have repeatedly put on the record my concern about the use of violent rhetoric in public discourse. Words matter,” Mr Burgess said in a statement.
“I genuinely believe the temperature of our security environment would be several degrees lower if we recommitted to conversing with civility, debating with respect and disagreeing with restraint.”
FULL STORY
Security briefing for anxious MPs as Helen Haines loses leg, remains in critical condition (By Natassia Chrysanthos, The Age)
