WANGARATTA (Australia), Oct 20 — A rural Australian town felt a mix of horror and disbelief today after a highly respected lawmaker was gravely injured in what looked to be a targeted attack.
Former nurse and midwife Helen Haines entered parliament in 2019, earning respect across the political divide for her efforts to stamp out corruption and bolster transparency.
The 65-year-old was struck by a two-tonne SUV in Wangaratta yesterday afternoon, suffering critical injuries in what authorities described as a “deliberate” act of violence.
Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant said a sombre mood had settled over the town of about 30,000 people, a regional hub about 250 kilometres northeast of state capital Melbourne.
