Australian independent member of parliament Helen Haines speaks at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP

Haines, 65, is now in a stable condition at a Melbourne hospital days after being struck by a car on Monday near her office in the town of Wangaratta, which is just over 200 kilometres, or 120 miles, northeast of the Victoria state capital.

The incident has prompted soul-searching in a country where political violence is rare but where police have documented a steady rise in threats and abuse toward elected officials in recent years.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led tributes to Haines, an independent member of parliament and a passionate campaigner for transparency and against corruption. He has also acknowledged the need for Australians to turn down the temperature and embrace respectful disagreement over polarisation.

Speaking at the hospital on Wednesday, Haines' husband of almost 40 years, Phil, said that after days in intensive care, surgeons had been forced to amputate both her legs.

"But the good news in all this is Helen is alive, and she's stable. That is the most important thing for our family," he said, adding, "The two most important parts of Helen for us as a family are her heart and her mind."

Haines' husband went on to describe her as "a very compassionate, caring, loving person" with a "huge" heart.

"Helen's road to recovery will be long and difficult, but we know she is a fighter," he said.