Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won Brazil's presidential election, defeating right-wing senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a run-off. Brazil's electoral court said Lula held an unassailable lead once all votes were counted. Voting hours were extended by two hours after a request from Lula's campaign, citing transport problems in three cities in Bahia. Bolsonaro said the extension was unacceptable and that he would ask for the election to be annulled. Lula said voting had been vital to safeguard democracy, and pledged to govern for all 215 million Brazilians.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has conceded defeat to a student-led protest movement in parliamentary elections. He said on Sunday that the Student List had won, with an estimated 135 to 140 seats, while his party would take about 105. Vučić called the snap vote in September after almost two years of student-led demonstrations against alleged corruption and creeping authoritarianism. Turnout was nearly 70 per cent, the highest since the break-up of Yugoslavia in 1992. Supporters celebrated in the streets of Belgrade after the announcement.
ACT politicians say they have faced death threats, spitting and misogynistic abuse. Several members of the ACT Legislative Assembly have spoken out after federal independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly run down outside her Victorian electorate office on Monday. Canberra Liberals MLA Elizabeth Lee said she received a death threat naming her daughter and partner, left at her front gate. ACT Health Minister Marisa Paterson said she has been spat at and threatened face-to-face, with abuse online increasing over the past 18 months. Greens MLA Laura Nuttall said she has been targeted over her sexuality and gender.
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Western Australian MPs say hostility toward politicians is growing, with several saying it is becoming harder to stay accessible to voters. The concern follows an alleged attack on federal independent MP Helen Haines, whose motive is not yet clear, and a man charged with threatening staff in state Labor MP Hannah Beazley's office. Police Commissioner Col Blanch urged politicians to look after themselves while remaining part of their communities. The state government announced it will fund security upgrades at MPs' homes, fast-track a security review of Parliament and provide an extra electorate officer.
Researchers argue that abuse, threats and violence against Australian elected officials have become normalised, and that the burden falls heavily on women. A national survey of 854 councillors found 85 per cent had faced abuse, threats or violence in the past year. Only 18 per cent of councillors who described their most serious incident told police. The researchers say calls for civility and more security are not enough, and urge action on abuse before it escalates, along with accountability for technology platforms.
Phil Haines thanked surgeons, nurses and bystanders at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne on Wednesday. His wife, Helen Haines, lost both legs after an alleged attack on Monday afternoon. Governor-General Sam Mostyn urged Australians to practise decency. Bystander Ricky Jefferies secured the alleged attacker. At a vigil in Wodonga, Cathy McGowan called on the community not to let violence win and said the attack was an attack on democracy.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn has urged Australians to show decency after the alleged attack on Helen Haines. Mostyn visited Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, where Haines' husband Phil said her second leg had been amputated. Haines remains in a critical but stable condition after Brendan Nugent allegedly drove a vehicle at her outside her Wangaratta electorate office. Nugent faces charges including dangerous driving and intentionally causing serious injury. He is due back in court on February 4.
An alleged attack on Independent MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta has shocked a nation where politics is usually peaceful. The motive behind the attack is not yet known. Politicians of different views have condemned the attack, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for the political temperature to be turned down. The piece traces a history of political violence in Australia, from early colonial clashes to the 1978 Hilton Hotel bombing, and argues that sober reflection from everyone involved in public life is needed.
The Australian Local Government Association has called for stronger protections for elected representatives following an incident involving federal MP Dr Helen Haines in Wangaratta. ALGA president Mayor Matt Burnett said the incident showed elected representatives at all levels should be able to engage with residents without fear for their safety. He said concern is growing about intimidation, harassment and abuse directed at officials, including mayors and councillors. Burnett cited a Women for Election survey in which 90 per cent of elected women reported online abuse or intimidation.
Indi MP Dr Helen Haines is in critical condition after she was struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, and sources say she lost a leg. The 65-year-old was flown to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where she underwent surgery overnight. Police allege the SUV made a U-turn, hit her, reversed and struck her again. A 43-year-old Tarrawingee man was arrested and may face charges of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. Authorities have not established a motive or any link to Dr Haines, and the AFP says no known threats are connected.
The Rural City of Wangaratta will hold a special meeting on Wednesday 21 October at midday to formally support Federal Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines, her family and staff following an incident in Wangaratta on Monday. Council will also consider a resolution condemning violence, threats and intimidation. Mayor Irene Grant said the incident had deeply affected people across the town and wider region. The proposed resolution also recognises the courage of community members and emergency services personnel who assisted, including local resident and business owner Ricky Jefferies. The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube.
An alleged attack on Independent MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta has shocked a nation where politics is usually peaceful. The motive behind the attack is not yet known. Politicians of different views have condemned the attack, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for the political temperature to be turned down. The piece traces a history of political violence in Australia, from early colonial clashes to the 1978 Hilton Hotel bombing, and argues that sober reflection from everyone involved in public life is needed.
Monash MP Mary Aldred has condemned the attack on Indi MP Helen Haines as an assault on democracy. Haines lost a leg after she was struck by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said witnesses saw the vehicle make a U-turn before it hit her, calling it a deliberate act. A 43-year-old Tarrawingee man was arrested at the scene. Haines, 65, underwent surgery in Melbourne and remains in critical condition.
The Federal Parliament will sit for one day at Old Parliament House in April next year. The sitting marks 100 years since the national parliament first met in Canberra. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Question Time and legislation will return to the chambers for the first time in decades. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the day would be cramped but a special occasion for MPs. The centenary celebrations will cost taxpayers $3 million.
Members of Parliament and mayors have jointly condemned a violent attack on Dr Helen Haines, the Federal Member for Indi, in Wangaratta. In a joint statement, they said personal threats, intimidation and violence have no place in democracy or in communities. They described Dr Haines as an example of public service and said they would not allow intimidation to silence public voices or discourage participation in civic life. The signatories said they stand with Dr Haines and her family, staff and all those affected.
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Labor has held power in the ACT for 25 years, winning seven straight elections since 2001. Andrew Barr has led the territory since 2014 and says the party has renewed itself in office. Labor has mostly governed in minority, relying on independents and other parties. Former Liberal chief minister Gary Humphries says the Liberals have failed to offer a credible alternative. A University of Canberra academic says long periods in power can undermine democracy. Labor's term reaches its halfway point, and the party's rule could extend to at least 27 years.
