Helen Haines' waking words were of concern for others

<p>The first words of injured MP Helen Haines after being woken by her doctors were of gratitude and concern for others.</p> <p>Tributes are flowing in Canberra for Haines who was struck repeatedly by a four-wheel drive in what was an allegedly deliberate attack outside her office in Wangaratta, northern Victoria, on October 19.</p> <p>The independent member for Indi had <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/21/australian-mp-loses-both-legs-alleged-attacker-in-court/" target="_blank">both her legs amputated</a> and is in a <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/24/helen-haines-condition-has-improved-hospital-says/" target="_blank">stable condition</a>.</p> <p>Independent MP Allegra Spender said Haines' first words upon waking, as relayed to her husband, Phil Haines, was concern for her staff, community, bystanders, first responders, and medical personnel.</p> <p>"That exactly speaks to the character of who you are," Spender said.</p> <p>Agriculture Minister Julie Collins echoed this, saying it was "not a surprise to any of us who know her".</p> <p>"After everything that she has been through, she was thinking of others," Collins said.</p> <p>Haines has been…