Independent MP receives targeted attack of deliberate U-turns

The independent MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition after being airlifted from Wangaratta in northern Victoria to Melbourne’s Alfred hospital for emergency surgery on Monday night.

A 43-year-old Tarrawingee man alleged to have driven the Toyota Land Cruiser was arrested at the scene. Home affairs minister Tony Burke said witnesses have described the driver doing a U-turn to get into the car park and to ram Helen against a vehicle, then to reverse and do it a second time.

Ricky Jefferies, whose barbershop is next door to Haines’ office, ran from his shop to help after hearing the crash. Jefferies, who returned to work on Tuesday morning, also alleged the driver had a knife on him.

Haines is currently in critical but stable condition. The home affairs minister said the nation’s security agencies and police will be working through what more could have been done to prevent the alleged attack and to help keep others safe. The mayor of Wangaratta, Irene Grant, expressed gratitude to Jeffries for stepping in to stop the man. The man will also face up to ten years of imprisonment.