Albanese says reports of threats and harassment against politicians have "increased in recent times"

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the car strike on independent lawmaker Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta electorate office as apparently intentional and urged a calmer political atmosphere, saying the tenor of public discussion had grown harsher lately. Haines, 65, was critically injured Monday afternoon; witnesses held the 43-year-old driver until police arrived, and officers found a knife in the vehicle, according to Victoria Police. Authorities have not established a motive, and federal, state, security and counterterrorism agencies are investigating. Albanese’s comments came as government-cited Australian Federal Police figures showed more reports of harassment and threats against politicians over the past year, even though violent attacks on elected officials remain uncommon in Australia.