MP Helen Haines amputated after deliberate vehicle attack

Helen Haines, the independent federal MP for the Victorian seat of Indi, has had both legs amputated but is in a stable condition after an alleged attack in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon.

Security agencies will review safety precautions for MPs’ homes and offices after numerous federal politicians told police and Asio in safety briefings that they were worried about widening threats after the alleged attack on Haines.

The Labor government and politicians across the parliament are still considering how they will respond when they return to Canberra next week, with ideas being floated including a new committee on MPs’ safety, greater resources for police, and motions of condolence for Haines, who lost both her legs after Monday’s incident. Renewed calls from the crossbench for reforms to question time and the tone of debate in parliament are unlikely to be taken up by the major parties.

In safety briefings with the Australian federal police and Asio granted to Labor, Coalition and crossbench MPs on Wednesday, security of homes and electorate offices was a common concern, according to Guardian Australia interviews with 10 MPs. While a broad review of safety and security is unlikely at this stage, multiple MPs across the political spectrum admitted they had spent thousands of dollars of their own money to install safety features based on the advice of the federal police.

Federal ministers receive stronger security assistance but numerous backbenchers said they felt under-resourced, saying many angry constituents may see all politicians as a homogenous group, and may not differentiate between cabinet members and ordinary local MPs.