Australian Lawmaker in Critical but Stable Condition After Apparent Deliberate Car Attack

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday that federal independent lawmaker Helen Haines remains in critical but stable condition after an apparent deliberate car attack outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria. The 65-year-old was struck Monday by a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV, and police continued to hold the 43-year-old driver. Albanese praised a barber, Ricky Jefferies, who helped restrain the accused driver until police arrived. Jefferies told reporters he removed a knife from the suspect’s pockets, and police confirmed a knife was recovered. Haines was first treated in Wangaratta, then airlifted 236 km (147 miles) to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital. The incident highlights rising security concerns; authorities reported political violence threats doubled from prior years.