A former nurse and health researcher; a farmer’s wife; a mother of three – in her own words Helen Haines has spent her lifetime caring for others.
Raised on a dairy farm near Colac in Victoria’s rural southwest, Ms Haines would later train and work as a nurse and midwife before returning to regional Victoria, becoming matron of the Chiltern Bush Nursing School at age just 26.
She would go on to work as a senior research fellow and director specialising in childbirth, maternal health and rural health, and has published more than 60 peer-reviewed scientific articles.
Ms Haines earned a master’s degree in publish health from the University of NSW, before obtaining a doctoral thesis from Sweden’s Uppsala University in 2012.
In 2019, Ms Haines had at tilt at politics, running in the federal seat of Indi – becoming the first independent to succeed another independent – retiring MP Cathy McGowan.
She took the seat, winning 32.4 per cent of the primary vote and 51.4 per cent of the two-party preferred vote, defeating Liberal candidate Steve Martin.
In her opening speech on August 1, 2019, Ms Haines said her electorate was a “diverse and beautiful” place made all the better by a community which chooses “not to drown out the voices of others, but hear the voices of others”.
“The hamlets and towns of Indi tell similar stories to mine, of good people, persistent effort and small things,” she said.
Ms Haines used her opening speech to speak on rural healthcare needs, the push for climate resilience in the regions and a desperate need for country Australia to address its lingering mental health crisis, among other things.
“Every day, I work to be a strong, independent voice – guided by common sense, decency and a commitment to delivering for our community and your family,” Ms Haines says on her web page.
“My background in nursing guides my work,” she states.
“As a nurse and a midwife, you’re with people in their most joyous and difficult moments. It’s taught me that life is precious, that everyone deserves dignity and respect, that good policy starts with listening, and – as a health researcher – that facts matter.”
Just four days before she was allegedly deliberately struck by a 4WD outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Ms Haines spoke out about the “unacceptable” health gap experienced by those living in regional areas.
“You should not have to travel further, wait longer or struggle to afford fundamental primary healthcare, just because you live outside a major city,” Ms Haines said.
“Regional Australians die younger, face higher rates of chronic disease, and yet people can struggle to access the most fundamental healthcare.
“I regularly hear from people who can’t find a GP, must travel long distances for mental health appointments or struggle to access basic aged care services close to home.”
In her most recent speech in parliament, Ms Haines raised concerns about “bureaucracy getting in the way of communities building back better” after the January bushfires which rocked parts of regional Victoria.
“Across Murrinindi Shire, nine wooden bridges were damaged in the fires … these bridges connect people to work, to farms, to schools, to essential services and to one another. When a bridge is out, the whole community feels it,” she said.
“Disaster recovery should help communities rebuild for the long haul, not add yet another obstacle to an already exhausting journey.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday morning said Ms Haines is “someone of integrity; she’s greatly admired across the entire political spectrum”.
He said she is “someone who is so proud of representing that beautiful part of Victoria”.
“This is a tragic situation. Our thoughts are with her this morning and today. We hope for a full recovery,” he said.
Fellow MPs also paid tribute to Ms Haines, with fellow independent MP Zali Steggall describing the 65-year-old as “a wonderful, caring, smart and wise friend and amazing representative for her community”.
Locals also rallied around the MP, laying flowers at the door of her electoral office on Tuesday morning, while others flooded her social media pages with their messages of support.
“Having just spent last week volunteering for Helen in Canberra I cannot understand what would trigger someone to attack our Helen,” Neil Foster wrote.
“She is just the best of the best in listening and responding to her community. I was just so proud to see all aspects of her work in Canberra. She is well respected by so many and I find it unbelievable this has happened. Thinking of you Helen and wishing you all the best in a speedy recovery.”
Fellow local Jane Still wrote: “My thoughts are with Helen and her family, the staff at the electorate office, and all who work so tirelessly with Helen and her team for the good of our community.
“What you see in parliament is just the tip of the iceberg of the genuine care, generosity and self sacrifice Helen and all around her show for the whole of Indi every day. You represent what is best about this community and our country. I am so sorry this has happened,” she wrote.