Police Investigate Alleged Targeting of Federal MP Helen Haines

A 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, Victoria, is in police custody following an investigation into the alleged targeting of the Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines. The investigation is being led by the Victoria Police Security Investigation Unit with support from the Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT-VIC), which comprises Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

According to a statement from AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett, the incident appears to be isolated, with no other known threats identified at this stage. Victoria Police and the AFP are collaborating to determine potential state and Commonwealth charges, which may include causing harm to a Commonwealth public official—an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.

The AFP noted ongoing concerns regarding threats directed at federal parliamentarians and high office holders. The agency reported receiving 951 reports of harassing, nuisance, offensive, and threatening behaviour against high office holders, parliamentarians, electorate offices, and protected establishments in 2024–2025. That figure rose to 1,067 reports in 2025–2026. The AFP noted that while not all reported matters meet criminal thresholds, all incidents are taken seriously.

In October 2025, the AFP established National Security Investigations (NSI) Teams to address high-harm, high-impact politically motivated violence, communal violence, and hate crimes that do not meet the threshold for terrorism investigations. Since their inception, NSI teams have charged 41 individuals in connection with threats against federal parliamentarians and high office holders.

The AFP stated that it regularly provides security briefings to parliamentarians and plans to deliver further briefings in the near future.

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