MP hit by car as political violence warnings prove prescient

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 02:32 · Archive

Federal MP Helen Haines was deliberately hit by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria on Monday afternoon, leaving her fighting for her life.

Australian authorities have warned for years that political violence was becoming increasingly likely. ASIO director general Mike Burgess described the threat as 'flashing red' in his 2025 Annual Threat Assessment, noting that 'grievance narratives, conspiracies and online echo chambers that proved so potent during COVID have festered and evolved into a diverse threat environment susceptible to sudden shifts'. The security environment was 'degrading and acts of politically motivated violence are becoming more likely', he said.

In a statement, Mr Burgess said this risk contributed to raising the terror level in 2024 from possible to probable, where it remains. 'Elevated levels of grievance, intolerance and polarisation continue to create a permissive environment of violence,' he said. 'ASIO has seen direct correlations between inflamed language, inflamed tensions and acts of violence'.

The Australian Federal Police has reported soaring threats towards parliamentarians, with reports tripling from pre-COVID levels. In 2025-26, the AFP received 1067 reports of harassment and threatening behaviour against politicians, electorate offices and government agencies, up from 951 the year before. Former AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw called the rising threat 'a threat to democracy', noting that female politicians received 'particularly troubling' threats and comments.

How it is being reported

• Warnings of political-violence risks bear bitter fruitAustralia's top spy and policing bodies have been among the agencies to warn - repeatedly - of the increased risk of political violence.Perth Now · 20 Oct, 02:04
• Warnings of political-violence risks bear bitter fruitAustralia's top spy and policing bodies have been among the agencies to warn - repeatedly - of the increased risk of political violence.The West Australian · 20 Oct, 02:04

In this story: Helen Haines · Mike Burgess · ASIO · Australian Federal Police · Reece Kershaw · Wangaratta · Victoria · Australia

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