In brief
A 43‑year‑old man was arrested after striking Western Australian MP Helen Haines twice with his car outside her Wangaratta office. Haines, who lost a leg in the attack, remains in a critical but stable condition after surgery. Police say the crime was a deliberate assault and have charged the suspect with dangerous driving, intentional injury and a federal offence against a public official. Haines’s father, who claims the man was a family friend, offered support to the MP and the police. The community has been left stunned, with vigils and flowers filling the town’s main street.
A 43‑year‑old man has been charged after Australian MP Helen Haines was hit by a car in Victoria state on Monday.
After the driver struck her twice outside her office in Wangaratta, Haines was air‑lifted to Melbourne for surgery. She has lost one leg and is in a critical but stable condition.
The suspect, identified as environmental activist Brendan Nugent, will appear in court on Wednesday face charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and a federal offence of causing harm to a public official.
Nugent’s father, Rod Nugent, and his partner Christine Cunningham said they had known the MP for more than 20 years and thanked residents and police for their help. They pledged to assist Victoria Police in any way they can.
Police confirmed the incident was a targeted attack and said no other threats were known. A highway patrol unit was on scene within eight seconds of the call.
In the aftermath, the community was left in shock. Bouquets and candles have been left outside Haines’s office, and a vigil was held at the local cathedral.
