This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. An Australian politician is in a critical condition after she was struck by a car in an apparently deliberate act, prime minister Anthony Albanese said. Federal independent legislator Helen Haines, 65, was struck by a Toyota Landcruiser SUV outside her electoral district office in the city of Wangaratta in Victoria state. Mr Albanese said the national counter-terrorism team, incorporating police and intelligence agencies, is investigating. He told the Australian Broadcasting Corp: “This wasn’t an accident. There was a deliberate act, it would appear. We don’t know what the motivation is. ”
Police did not identify the victim, in accordance with privacy policy, but Ms Haines’ family confirmed her identity in a media statement.