Australians from across the country have lit candles to show their support for Victorian Member of Parliament Helen Haines, four days after being struck by a car while leaving her office in Wangaratta. The movement, widley shared on Social Media, including by Australia's own Governor-General, invited people to light candles in their homes at 8pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), as a gesture of solidarity and community peace. The Rural City of Wangaratta posted onto their social media regarding the vigil, claiming that at times like these "what unites us matters far more than what divides us". Victorian politicians such as Whittlesea Council Member Chaman Tiwari and member for Mill Park Lily D'Ambrosio have posted their own candles for tonight to hold onto hope for Helen Haines.

Candle lit by Mill Park member Lily D'Ambrosio | Source: Lily D'Ambrosio Facebook Page

Aside from Ms. D'Ambrosio, several other politicians have attended other vigils being held in their town, such as New South Wales member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, and federal politicians Libby Cooker and Sarah Henderson, both from opposing political parties.

Vigil in Lismore, New South Wales, hosted by Janelle Saffin | Source: Janelle Saffin Facebook Page

The most notable contributor is Senator for Western Australia Fatima Payman, who you may remember from her viral 'brainrot speech' in Parliament. Ms. Payman's post on Facebook mentions how she is a "colleague and friend of Helen Haines" and how, because of that, it's "heartbreaking to see someone you care about go through something so frightening and deeply distressing". Additionally, she noticed that in "the darkest moments, we've been reminded of the good in people"

Candle for Helen Haines lit by Fatima Payman | Source: Fatima Payman Facebook Page

This afternoon, it was confirmed that Ms. Haines remains in critical condition, and her husband on Thursday confirmed that she has had to have both legs amputated due to these injuries. Her injuries were sustained when a car rammed her in front of her office upon closing Monday evening, as a deliberate attack on her. Her office is expected to be open again to the general public next Thursday