A knife was found and seized from inside the Toyota, police said.

Police initially said they were investigating whether the incident was intentional and whether Haines and the vehicle’s driver knew each other.

Albanese later said the incident appeared deliberate, and a counter-terrorism investigation is underway.

“All of our thoughts are with Helen, her family, her friends, her team, and her community at this extremely difficult time. We are praying for her full recovery,” Albanese told journalists.

“It is too early in this investigation for me to provide you with details of what the motivation is behind this attack.”

Haines’ family issued a statement appealing for Australians to “please keep Helen in your thoughts”.

“This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care.

“We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response,” the statement said.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor said on Facebook he was “deeply saddened and distressed” by the news.

“This is a shocking day for our nation. No one should be targeted in this way,” he said.

“Australians will be angry and appalled by the attack on Helen outside her electorate office in Wangaratta.”

Taylor said he had spoken with Albanese and they were “united in our view that political violence must never be accepted as part of public life”.

“Our nation cannot become a place where violent attacks are normalised,” he said.

“I hope Helen, her family and her community across north-east Victoria know that Australians right across the country are thinking of them and holding them in their thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”