Albanese: Ramming of Australian Lawmaker Was a Deliberate Act

The Australian prime minister stated that the driver made a U-turn before striking Helen Haines, as a counter-terrorism taskforce investigates the incident.

Helen Haines speaking at the Indi results declaration, 2022 · Photo: Alison Newman · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the car ramming of independent lawmaker Helen Haines was a deliberate act, The Guardian and The Jerusalem Post reported. According to Albanese, the driver made a U-turn after passing Haines while she was standing near the boot of her vehicle, and struck her.

Following the incident, a joint counter-terrorism taskforce opened an investigation. Haines is hospitalized in critical condition at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, and as Bloomberg reported, Albanese urged the public to remain calm amid widespread condemnation across parliament.