Australian PM says lawmaker struck by car in deliberate attack

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday that a car which struck independent lawmaker Sophie Mirabella outside her office in Victoria had executed a deliberate U-turn before hitting her, indicating the incident was not accidental.

Mirabella, who represents the Victorian electorate of Indi, sustained critical injuries in the incident. Albanese's characterisation of the vehicle's manoeuvre as a U-turn before the collision strengthened assessments that the attack was intentional rather than a random traffic accident.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The nature of the attack has prompted concerns about the safety of elected representatives in Australia, with lawmakers across the political spectrum expressing alarm at the violence.

Mirabella was first elected to parliament in 2010 and has served as an independent since leaving the Liberal Party. Her critically injured condition has prompted an outpouring of support from political colleagues and community leaders.