In brief
In a shocking incident in Wangaratta, Victorian MP Helen Haines was struck by a car that allegedly struck her twice outside her office, leading to critical injuries including the loss of a leg. The 43‑year‑old suspect, reportedly an environmental activist, has been charged with dangerous driving, intentional injury, and a federal offence against a public official. Police say the attack was targeted and that no other threats are known, while the community mourns and hopes for Haines’ recovery.
In the early hours of Monday, 65‑year‑old independent MP Helen Haines was violently struck by a car outside her office in Wangaratta, Victoria. The suspect, 43 and named as environmental activist Brendan Nugent, allegedly struck Haines twice, pinning her between two cars before she was rushed to a Melbourne hospital. She remains in critical but stable condition, having lost a leg and with doctors fighting to save her other.
Police have charged the suspect with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentional serious injury, and the federal offence of causing harm to a public official. He is due to appear in court on Wednesday. Victim families and his wife and partner described their relationship with the MP as a friendship of over twenty years and pledged support to local police.
Victorian Police say the attack was deliberate and that a highway patrol unit was on scene within eight seconds of the call. The authorities searched a property in Tarrawingee, about 12 km from Wangaratta, and state they are not aware of additional threats linked to the incident. An unnamed local barber recounted pulling the suspect out of his car and discarding a knife he had in his pocket.
Haines, who won Indi as an independent in 2019, had been building cross‑bench rapport across a divided parliament. Her office on Wangaratta’s main street reopened to traffic the following day, with staff inundated by bouquets and sympathy cards left by a stunned community that gathered for a vigil and bile to light candles in her memory.
The incident has heightened concerns over targeted threats against politicians. Police and security spokespersons reiterated the need for public vigilance and reiterated that the community will be closely monitored for future safety.
