Man critically injuring Australian politician not previously considered threat

A man who critically injured an Australian politician in an alleged deliberate attack was not previously considered a threat, police said on Wednesday.



Helen Haines, an independent member of the federal parliament since 2019, was hospitalized with critical injuries after she was struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office about 200 km northeast of Melbourne in the state of Victoria on Monday afternoon.



The alleged driver of the vehicle, a 43-year-old man who was arrested at the scene, has been charged with causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, dangerous driving causing serious injury and intentionally causing serious injury.



Providing an update on the case in Melbourne on Wednesday morning, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush told reporters that police had no intelligence that indicated the man was planning an attack.



Haines remained in a critical condition in a Melbourne hospital on Wednesday after having one leg amputated and undergoing surgery to save the other.



Appearing alongside Bush, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said there has been a rise in threats against politicians, with authorities charging almost one person a week on average for targeting elected members of parliament or high office holders.



Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also said that police have not yet determined a motive for the attack. The 43-year-old man appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning and did not apply for bail.