Man Charged With Critically Injuring Australian Politician Was Not Previously Considered Threat: Police

(MENAFN- IANS) Canberra, Oct 21 (IANS) 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 hospitalised 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.

Victoria Police said on Tuesday night that 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, reports Xinhua news agency.

"There was nothing known to us that would have arisen or piqued our interest that he was an immediate threat," he said.

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.

Speaking earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio 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.

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