He described Dr Haines as a “thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity and respected right across the parliament by everyone who comes into contact with her”.
The Prime Minister confirmed that the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation were working together, and that the Joint Counter Terrorism Team had been activated.
However, Mr Albanese cautioned that it was “too early to speculate on motivation” behind the attack.
The driver of a white Toyota Land Cruiser was pulled from the vehicle and detained at the scene by a member of the public before police arrived.
Officers confirmed that a knife was recovered from inside the car.
Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason told journalists he was “not aware” of any previous threats directed at Dr Haines.
He sought to reassure the public, stating there was no intelligence suggesting any ongoing danger to other individuals or the wider community, and that officers were treating the incident as isolated.
Dr Haines’s own family released a separate statement on Monday evening, thanking “the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response.”
