SUSPECT HAS MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS
Throughout a short court docket look on Wednesday, the accused’s lawyer stated his shopper suffers from a uncommon neurological situation referred to as idiopathic transverse myelitis and was additionally being handled for concussion, the Australian Broadcasting Company reported. His lawyer advised the Justice of the Peace his shopper had some psychological well being considerations and that it was his first time in custody.
There was no software for bail, and the case was deferred till Feb 4.
Anti-terrorism police are among the many companies investigating the incident. Whereas police allege the assault was “focused”, they consider it was an remoted incident.
There was no intelligence to recommend any menace to Haines, and the Australian Federal Police acquired no warning of any imminent hazard from the alleged attacker, Commissioner Krissy Barrett advised reporters.
“What I can say is we did not have any particular intelligence that may have indicated one thing as atrocious as occurred on Monday afternoon,” she stated.
Victoria state police stated they may not discover any direct previous contact between Haines and the accused, with the motive nonetheless unknown.
“Motivation is one in all these items that we completely must discover. His motivation for this, what we allege is a deliberate assault, may be very a lot a centrepiece of the investigation,” Victoria Police Chief Mike Bush stated.
Bush declined to touch upon the person’s psychological well being, saying the matter was earlier than the court docket.
Haines had labored in nursing, midwifery and academia earlier than being elected to parliament in 2019 for the agricultural seat of Indi, which she retained in each 2022 and 2025.
Violent assaults on politicians are uncommon in Australia, the place federal lawmakers, state leaders and even prime ministers are sometimes seen purchasing, grabbing espresso or attending neighborhood occasions with comparatively little safety.
Nevertheless, considerations about politicians’ security have grown lately amid rising political polarisation, on-line abuse and threats towards elected officers, prompting requires larger protections whereas preserving the accessibility that has lengthy characterised Australian politics.
