PM says suspect in custody after alleged attack on Haines
Anthony Albanese is holding a press conference in Sydney, and says there is a major police investigation underway, and that a suspect is in custody.
He says the motive for the alleged attack is not known.
There is a major police investigation underway, and I can confirm that a suspect is in custody.
The Australian Federal Police, Victorian Police, and Asio are working together on this. The joint counter-terrorism team has been activated, but the motive is not known.
Key events
Albanese is asked whether the government knew about any threats made towards Helen Haines.
Albanese says broadly, that he has called for the “temperature to be turned down” in political discourse.
It is too early, though, to speculate on motivation, and we won’t be doing so. We’ll allow the authorities to do their work. Obviously, Helen Haines has suffered serious. This is a serious incident, and so our thoughts are with Helen and her recovery at this time.
He’s also asked about what security measures were in place for Haines ahead of the incidence.
Albanese says security arrangements are made “based upon the threat levels which are there”.
Anyone who looks at comments made and directed towards members of parliament and high office holders – there is increased heightened risk has occurred. Our thoughts are just very much with Helen, her family, her community at this time.
He ends the press conference there.
Albanese says his thoughts and his prayers are with Haines, her family and her community.
Helen Haines is incredibly hard-working. She is fiercely intelligent, but most importantly, she’s just a thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity and respected right across the parliament, and from everyone who comes into contact with her, she is a well-loved member of her community, and this will come as an incredible shock to that community.
Our thoughts remain with Helen Haines at this very difficult time.
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, says there has been an increase in reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against MPs and their offices in recent years.
The year before last, we had 951 reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against various high office holders. The more recent financial year, that 951 has gone to 1,067.
PM says suspect in custody after alleged attack on Haines
Anthony Albanese is holding a press conference in Sydney, and says there is a major police investigation underway, and that a suspect is in custody.
He says the motive for the alleged attack is not known.
There is a major police investigation underway, and I can confirm that a suspect is in custody.
The Australian Federal Police, Victorian Police, and Asio are working together on this. The joint counter-terrorism team has been activated, but the motive is not known.
Nationals frontbencher Michael McCormack, whose electorate shares a border with Haines’ has written on social media:
Sending my love and best wishes to Helen Haines for a full and speedy recovery. Such awful news.
Here’s what we know so far about the incident:
We’re expecting the prime minister and home affairs minister to speak shortly from Sydney.
Helen Haines’ family release statement
Helen Haines’ family have released a statement to the media.
They have thanked bystanders, health workers and the police.
This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care. We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response.
Our family, and Helen’s staff, will be making no further comment at this time, and ask that their privacy be respected by the public and media.
Please keep Helen in your thoughts.
Krishani Dhanji
Good evening, Krishani Dhanji with you here. We will be bringing you live coverage of the prime minister’s press conference, after an incident that has left independent MP Helen Haines injured.
The incident took place near her office in Wangaratta in regional Victoria.
Anthony Albanese and the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, will be speaking from Sydney shortly.
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