AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett statement on Dr Helen Haines
The investigation into the alleged targeting of Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, is currently being led by the Victoria Police Security Investigation Unit and supported by the Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT-VIC), which includes Victoria Police, the AFP and ASIO.
A man, 43, from Tarrawingee, Victoria, remains in police custody.
At this stage it appears this is an isolated incident, and there are no known threats connected to this matter.
Victoria Police and the AFP are working closely together to identify potential charges, which may include state and Commonwealth offences, such as the offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
The AFP has regularly publicly outlined concerns about the growing threats against federal parliamentarians and high office holders.
In 2024-2025, the AFP received 951 reports of harassing, nuisance, offensive and threatening behaviour against high office holders, federal parliamentarians, electorate offices, and protected establishments.
In 2025-26, it increased to 1067 reports. Not all reports reach criminal thresholds, but the AFP takes every report seriously and encourages federal parliamentarians and their staff to report incidents.
In October 2025, the AFP announced the establishment of National Security Investigations (NSI) Teams, which are a flying squad of hate disrupters who focus on high-harm, high-impact politically motivated violence, communal violence and hate crimes that do not meet the threshold for terrorism investigations but drive fear and division.
The NSI teams also investigate threats against federal parliamentarians and high office holders, working alongside the AFP’s protection teams that provide support to all federal parliamentarians.
Since the NSI teams were established, 41 individuals have been charged for offences relating to threats against federal parliamentarians and high office holders.
The AFP provides regularly briefings to parliamentarians about their safety and security, and further briefings will be undertaken soon.
The AFP’s thoughts are with Dr Haines and her family at this time.