Driver charged over 'targeted' car attack on Australian lawmaker Helen Haines

Cover image: A TV crew works in front of a portrait of Australian politician Helen Haines outside her office in the northern city of Wangaratta, about 250 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, on October 20, 2026. © William West, AFP

Police on Tuesday charged a driver with intentionally causing serious injury to Australian federal lawmaker Helen Haines, who is in a critical condition after being struck by a car outside her office in an incident that has shocked the nation. Haines had her leg amputated following the attack, according to Australian media reports.

Australian police said they charged a man on Tuesday for what they allege was a "targeted" attack on lawmaker Helen Haines, who suffered critical injuries.