Helen Haines, independent MP for Indi, 65, was struck on Monday afternoon by a white Toyota LandCruiser in Murphy Street, Wangaratta, near her electorate office. ABC: about 3:30 p.m. Benalla Ensign: 3:35 p.m. She was taken to hospital with critical injuries. This is not a death. This is not a conviction.

Victoria Police: a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee was arrested and is to be interviewed. We have not named him; the inquiry is open. A knife was found in the vehicle, they also said. Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason: bystanders held the man at the scene; the scene was “quite dynamic”; the Major Collision Investigation Unit is investigating. A citizens’ arrest is not a court verdict.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it a “deliberate act” and an “attack”. He said it was too early for a motive and that the joint counterterrorism unit had been activated. That is his language, not a classification of ours. Police, to the BBC, are investigating “whether this was an intentional act”. The two phrasings do not yet match.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, still at the press conference: reports of threatening or harassing behaviour towards politicians, from 951 to 1,067 in the past year. His figures. Opposition leader Angus Taylor: “a shocking day for our nation”; he spoke with Albanese; political violence must never be accepted. Victorian Premier Ben Carroll: “deeply appalled” by a “violent attack”.

The family: “our beloved Helen” was involved in an incident outside the office, is receiving medical care; they thank bystanders, health workers, police; they will make no further comment; they ask for privacy. Her office posted the same text, on ABC.

Haines is an independent, not of a party. Wangaratta is in Victoria, north-east of Melbourne. We do not know why she was struck. This is not a trial.

Image: Helen Haines’s electorate office, Wangaratta, 14 June 2022, Alison Newman, CC0, Wikimedia Commons. Archive, not Monday’s scene.

Sources consulted: Independent MP Helen Haines injured outside Wangaratta office — ABC News; Helen Haines in critical condition after being struck by vehicle — Benalla Ensign.