Personal Profile About Helen Haines
Helen Haines is an Australian politician who has represented Indi in Victoria since 2019. She grew up on a dairy farm near Colac and spent more than 30 years working in healthcare before entering politics. She worked as a nurse, midwife and health researcher and earned a PhD in medical science from Uppsala University in Sweden. Her political career began when she succeeded Cathy McGowan as an independent MP. She became the first independent politician in Australia's federal Parliament to succeed another independent in the same seat.
Helen Haines Critical Condition
Helen Haines critical condition remains but she is still stable at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne following the attack on October 19, 2026. She suffered severe injuries to her lower body and underwent emergency surgery after doctors transferred her from Wangaratta. Medical treatment resulted in the loss of one leg. On October 20, reports confirmed doctors were working to save her other leg. Her family thanked emergency workers and members of the public who helped her and requested privacy during her treatment.
Helen Haines Attack
The Helen Haines attack took place outside her electorate office on Murphy Street in Wangaratta, Victoria, on October 19, 2026. She was retrieving belongings from her parked car when a Toyota LandCruiser struck her at around 3:35 pm. According to witness accounts shared by Australian officials, the driver reversed and struck her a second time. Bystanders restrained the 43-year-old suspect before police took him into custody. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as deliberate. Police and counterterrorism investigators are examining the motive behind the attack.
Helen Haines Age
Helen Haines age is 65 Years. She was born on September 21, 1961, in Colac, Victoria, Australia. Her childhood was spent on a dairy farm, where she grew up with her parents and four brothers. She moved to north-east Victoria in the 1980s and spent much of her working life in nursing, midwifery and medical research. She was 57 when voters first elected her to Australia's federal Parliament in May 2019.
Helen Haines Husband
Helen Haines husband is Phil Haines, an agricultural scientist from Rutherglen, Victoria. The couple married in the 1980s and have three children named Will, Nick and Georgia. Helen and Phil live on a small farm near the King River outside Wangaratta. She has spoken about her husband's support during her healthcare career and move into politics. In her first parliamentary speech in 2019, she thanked Phil for encouraging her throughout their marriage.