Politics news

• Helen Haines attack live updates: Indi MP struck twice by car outside Wangaratta office after driver did U-turn, remains in critical condition after surgery; 43-year-old Tarrawingee man in custody

  19-10-2026 23:24 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  The independent MP is in a critical condition after being struck by a four-wheel drive outside her electorate office in north-east Victoria last night.
  
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• Alleged attacker of Helen Haines was not on police radar: Victoria police

  19-10-2026 23:23 via ABC News
  
  Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason says he was surprised by an attack on Indi MP Helen Haines outside her electorate office in Wangaratta.
  
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• Car crash into Helen Haines was 'deliberate act': Prime minister

  19-10-2026 22:40 via ABC News
  
  Prime Minister Anthony Albanese alleges the car which hit Helen Haines did a U-turn after passing her while she was putting things into the boot of her car.
  
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• Helen Haines attack live updates: Indi MP undergoes surgery, remains in critical condition after attack outside Wangaratta office; 43-year-old Tarrawingee man in custody

  19-10-2026 21:16 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  The independent MP is in a critical condition after being struck by a four-wheel drive outside her electorate office in north-east Victoria last night.
  
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• Helen Haines attack live updates: Indi MP in critical condition after attack outside Wangaratta office; 43-year-old man in custody

  19-10-2026 21:16 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  The independent MP is in a critical condition after being struck by a four-wheel drive outside her electorate office in north-east Victoria last night.
  
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• Victorian man charged over attack on Helen Haines — as it happened

  19-10-2026 20:31 via ABC News
  
  Police charge a 43-year-old man over an attack that left MP Helen Haines with critical injuries.
  
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• Live: Victorian man charged over attack on MP Helen Haines

  19-10-2026 20:31 via ABC News
  
  Family members of the man arrested over the attack on independent MP Helen Haines say they are longtime friends of the respected politician. Follow the latest in our live blog.
  
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• Live: PM says driver did a U-turn and hit Helen Haines in 'deliberate act' as MP remains critical

  19-10-2026 20:31 via ABC News
  
  Anthony Albanese says counter-terrorism police are investigating and a man has been arrested after Indi MP Helen Haines was "attacked" near her electorate office in Victoria's north-east. Follow the latest in our live blog.
  
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• Live: Helen Haines remains critical as police investigation continues after 'attack'

  19-10-2026 20:31 via ABC News
  
  Anthony Albanese says counter-terrorism police are investigating and a man has been arrested after Indi MP Helen Haines was "attacked" near her electorate office in Victoria's north-east. Follow the latest in our live blog.
  
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• Live: Helen Haines remains critical after surgery following 'attack', PM says

  19-10-2026 20:31 via ABC News
  
  Anthony Albanese says counter-terrorism police are investigating and a man has been arrested after Indi MP Helen Haines was "attacked" near her electorate office in Victoria's north-east. Follow the latest in our live blog.
  
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• Live: Helen Haines loses leg, doctors fight to save other leg following attack

  19-10-2026 20:31 via ABC News
  
  Indi MP Helen Haines loses a leg after being pinned between two cars outside her electorate office in Victoria's north-east yesterday afternoon, the ABC confirms. Follow the latest in our live blog.
  
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• Live: Helen Haines loses leg after attack outside electorate office

  19-10-2026 20:31 via ABC News
  
  Indi MP Helen Haines loses a leg after being pinned between two cars outside her electorate office in Victoria's north east yesterday afternoon, the ABC confirms. Follow the latest in our live blog.
  
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• Live: Family of Haines attack suspect say they are friends of the MP

  19-10-2026 20:31 via ABC News
  
  Indi MP Helen Haines loses a leg after being pinned between two cars outside her electorate office in Victoria's north-east yesterday afternoon, the ABC confirms. Follow the latest in our live blog.
  
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• Live: Burke says Helen Haines was 'rammed' twice in attack as MP remains critical

  19-10-2026 20:31 via ABC News
  
  Indi MP Helen Haines is in a critical condition in a Melbourne hospital after being attacked near her electorate office in Wangaratta, north-east Victoria. Follow the latest in our live blog.
  
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• While Australia scrambled for fuel, millions of litres were being exported offshore

  19-10-2026 20:00 via ABC News
  
  More than 60 megalitres of Australian-made biofuel products were being sold offshore at the same time as the nation's petrol and diesel pumps ran dry. The government is consulting on whether to force petroleum companies to buy Australian-made fuels to help shore up supplies.
  
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• While Australia scrambled for fuel, millions of litres were being exported

  19-10-2026 20:00 via ABC News
  
  More than 60 megalitres of Australian-made biofuel products were being sold offshore at the same time as the nation's petrol and diesel pumps ran dry. 
  
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• ‘Unshackle the economy’: Labor MP pushes Chalmers on growth, speculates on PM retirement

  19-10-2026 20:00 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  Ed Husic adds to a growing array of messages from party-aligned figures critiquing the Albanese government’s economic strategy.
  
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• Ukraine receives 'no early warning' as missile barrage pounds Kyiv

  19-10-2026 18:11 via ABC News
  
  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denies intelligence-sharing with Ukraine is suspended as Vladimir Putin proposes a summit with Xi Jinping and Donald Trump to discuss the war.
  
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• Who is Brendan Nugent? What we know so far about the alleged attack on Helen Haines

  19-10-2026 14:13 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  Haines was struck by a four-wheel drive outside her Wangaratta electorate office and is being treated at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne. Here’s what we know so far.
  
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• What we know so far about the attack on Helen Haines

  19-10-2026 14:13 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  Haines was struck by a four-wheel drive outside her Wangaratta electorate office and is being treated at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne. Here’s what we know so far.
  
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• After MP 'attacked' in the street, our democracy is facing its biggest test

  19-10-2026 13:09 via ABC News
  
  With four words, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese laid bare the horrifying nature of an attack that has sent shock waves through Australia.
  
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• After MP attacked in the street, our democracy faces its biggest test

  19-10-2026 13:09 via ABC News
  
  With four words, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese laid bare the horrifying nature of an attack that has sent shock waves through Australia.
  
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• After MP attacked in street, our democracy faces its biggest test

  19-10-2026 13:09 via ABC News
  
  With four words, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese laid bare the horrifying nature of an attack that has sent shock waves through Australia.
  
  Read more

• After MP allegedly attacked in the street, our democracy is facing its biggest test

  19-10-2026 13:09 via ABC News
  
  With four words, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese laid bare the horrifying nature of an attack that has sent shock waves through Australia.
  
  Read more

• Best of cartoons, October 20, 2026

  19-10-2026 12:43 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  The news of the day as interpreted by our talented artists, illustrators and cartoonists.
  
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• Allegra Spender on political violence in Australia

  19-10-2026 12:19 via ABC News
  
  Allegra Spender says an attack on fellow Independent MP Helen Haines is of "huge concern" in a country that she says does not often see political violence.
  
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• Helen Haines attack must be a turning point for Australia

  19-10-2026 11:17 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  The attack on the Indi MP, if confirmed as a politically motivated attack, must be a line in the sand.
  
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• Live: 'Violent attack' critically injures independent MP, man in custody

  19-10-2026 09:40 via ABC News
  
  Anthony Albanese says counter-terrorism police are investigating and a man has been arrested after Indi MP Helen Haines was "attacked" near her electorate office in Victoria's north-east. Follow the latest in our live blog.
  
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• Live: PM says Indi MP Helen Haines 'attacked' at electorate office

  19-10-2026 09:40 via ABC News
  
  Independent MP Helen Haines has been critically injured in an attack near her Wangaratta office in regional Victoria. Follow the latest in our live blog.
  
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• Live: Indi MP Helen Haines seriously injured in electorate office incident

  19-10-2026 09:40 via ABC News
  
  Independent MP Helen Haines has been injured in an incident near her Wangaratta office in regional Victoria. 
  
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• Live: Indi MP Helen Haines critically injured in 'attack' outside office, PM says

  19-10-2026 09:40 via ABC News
  
  Anthony Albanese says counter-terrorism police are investigating and a man has been arrested after Ms Haines was "attacked" near her electorate office in Victoria's north-east. Follow the latest in our live blog.
  
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• Live: Indi MP Helen Haines critically injured after 'attack' at electorate office

  19-10-2026 09:40 via ABC News
  
  Anthony Albanese says counter-terrorism police are investigating and a man has been arrested after Indi MP Helen Haines was "attacked" near her electorate office in Victoria's north-east. Follow the latest in our live blog.
  
  Read more

• Indi MP Helen Haines critically injured after 'attack' at electorate office — as it happened

  19-10-2026 09:40 via ABC News
  
  Anthony Albanese says counter-terrorism police are investigating and a man has been arrested after Indi MP Helen Haines was "attacked" near her electorate office in Victoria's north-east. 
  
  Read more

• Indi MP Helen Haines critically injured after 'attack' at electorate office — as it happened

  19-10-2026 09:40 via ABC News
  
  Anthony Albanese says counter-terrorism police are investigating and a man has been arrested after Indi MP Helen Haines was "attacked" near her electorate office in Victoria's north-east. 
  
  Read more

• Indi MP Helen Haines critically injured after 'attack' at electorate office — as it happened

  19-10-2026 09:40 via ABC News
  
  Anthony Albanese says counter-terrorism police are investigating and a man has been arrested after Indi MP Helen Haines was "attacked" near her electorate office in Victoria's north-east. 
  
  Read more

• ‘A bad call’: Greens rift deepens over Steele-John allegations

  19-10-2026 09:21 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  A dispute over whether Jordon Steele-John should take leave during an investigation has deepened a rift within the Greens over allegations about his behaviour towards women.
  
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• NSW government drafts law to allow Upper Hunter mine to increase output

  19-10-2026 08:21 via ABC News
  
  NSW Premier Chris Minns says the legislation will aim to protect 400 jobs at the Mount Pleasant mine to 2032. Environment leaders say it's an overreach by the government, only weeks after a landmark High Court ruling.
  
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• Ghost Sharks to be armed with aerial drones and advanced sea mines

  19-10-2026 08:17 via ABC News
  
  Australian-made autonomous submarines will be able to set sea mines and launch armed aerial drones, according to newly declassified details.
  
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• Judge and former Labor MP to be new national integrity commissioner

  19-10-2026 07:06 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  Robert McClelland will have to restore public confidence in the NACC, which was established by Labor but has since been overshadowed by controversy.
  
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• Further rate rises risk tipping economy ‘over the edge’

  19-10-2026 06:53 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  The chief economist of the country’s largest bank has warned the RBA is risking a recession as it battles inflation.
  
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• Shoebridge insists Steele-John should take leave as Greens 'binfire' deepens

  19-10-2026 06:30 via ABC News
  
  Greens leader David Shoebridge has insisted that Senator Jordon Steele-John should take personal leave, after the WA senator denied he had offered or agreed to step back while allegations against him were investigated.
  
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• Robert McClelland named new corruption watchdog chief after Brereton resignation

  19-10-2026 06:27 via ABC News
  
  Former Labor attorney-general and judge Robert McClelland is set to become the new head of the National Anti-Corruption Committee, after a turbulent first few years for the federal anti-corruption watchdog.
  
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• Explosive swarms and hidden mines: How Ghost Sharks will transform undersea warfare

  19-10-2026 06:25 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  Australia’s fleet of robotic submarines will be capable of laying secret minefields thousands of kilometres from shore under a $5.8 billion defence expansion.
  
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• ‘Get over it’: Hanson dismisses Lambie’s anger over crass cartoon attack on her health

  19-10-2026 05:53 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  Jacqui Lambie had her health condition mocked in One Nation’s most recent Please Explain cartoon, but Hanson told her to “have a laugh” and get over it.
  
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• Power pole protest delays data centre giant’s flagship Melbourne project

  19-10-2026 05:46 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  Listed data-centre operator NextDC has requested a trading halt on the ASX, after it said power supply delays would hit its flagship West Footscray facility.
  
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• ‘Detached from reality’: Ukrainian Greens attack Shoebridge over military aid stance

  19-10-2026 02:34 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  The Greens’ Ukrainian sister party accused new leader David Shoebridge of adopting an absurd stance on military aid that benefits Vladimir Putin.
  
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• Everyone asks me the same question now I’ve quit politics. Here’s my honest answer

  19-10-2026 02:30 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  I’m bemused by reactions to the post-political me, as though leaving the role made me somehow different. And better.
  
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• ‘Enough is enough’: Lambie slams Hanson’s latest crass cartoon attack

  19-10-2026 02:25 via Sydney Morning Herald - Politics / Federal
  
  Jacqui Lambie, who called Pauline Hanson a “bloody maggot” last month, had her health condition mocked in One Nation’s most recent Please Explain cartoon.
  
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