CANBERRA, October 21 (Aalimi Nation) – Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines has lost both legs after being struck by a car outside her electorate office, her husband said on Wednesday, as the man accused of the attack made his first brief appearance in court.
Haines, who represents the rural Victorian seat of Indi, was hit twice by the vehicle outside her office in Wangaratta, north-east of Melbourne, on Monday. Her husband, Phil Haines, said doctors first amputated her left leg and then spent days trying to save the right one before that effort also failed. "Helen is alive and she's stable," he said, adding that this was the most important thing for the family. Earlier accounts had described only one amputation.
The charges
Brendan Nugent, 43, who lives in Tarrawingee, a town within her electorate, appeared before a court on Wednesday. He faces three charges: dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a public official. He has also been charged with cannabis cultivation and possession.
His lawyer told the court that Nugent has a rare neurological condition and is being treated for concussion. The court appearance was short, and the charges have not been tested at trial. Nugent is presumed innocent until a court decides otherwise.
What police have said
Police are still working to establish a motive. Federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett said authorities had no intelligence pointing to any threat against Haines before the incident. Officials have described the attack as targeted but believe it was an isolated incident, and counter-terrorism investigators are among the agencies involved in the inquiry. Police have not said whether the attack was linked to Haines's political work, and no such link has been established.
Who is Helen Haines
Haines worked as a nurse and midwife and later in academia before entering politics. She was first elected to Parliament in 2019 as an independent and represents a regional constituency.
Concern over threats to politicians
Physical attacks on elected officials remain rare in Australia, but the incident has revived debate over the safety of lawmakers. Politicians and analysts have pointed in recent years to a sharp rise in online abuse and threats directed at members of Parliament.
What to watch next
The next court date for the accused has not been confirmed in the information available. Investigators are expected to continue examining the circumstances of the attack, including whether the driver knew the lawmaker. Updates on her condition are expected from her family.
