WANGARATTA: Australian independent MP Dr Helen Haines has had both legs amputated after a driver allegedly rammed her with a car outside her office on Monday, her husband confirmed Wednesday.
Phil Haines told reporters at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne that surgeons removed her left leg on Monday. They later amputated her right leg after attempts to save it failed.
Despite her critical condition, Haines remains stable. “Helen is alive, and she’s stable,” her husband said during the hospital news conference electorate, was charged with three offences: dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a public official.
Additional charges of cannabis cultivation and possession have also been laid against Nugent, court filings showed.
Suspect Appears in Court Over Helen Haines Attack
Police allege a Toyota Land Cruiser struck the 65-year-old lawmaker twice as she unloaded items behind her parked car. The incident occurred outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, northeastern Victoria.
A local barber pulled the driver from the vehicle and detained him until police arrived. Emergency services then airlifted Haines to Melbourne for treatment. Victoria Police believe the incident was targeted, but investigators have not established a motive.
Brendan Nugent, 43, appeared before Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. He faces charges of intentionally causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
Read: Australia Charges Man Over Alleged Attack on Helen Haines
His lawyer told the court that Nugent has a rare neurological condition and was not taking medication. No bail application was made.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said officers had no intelligence suggesting Nugent posed an imminent threat before Monday’s incident. Australian parliamentarians received security briefings in Canberra on Wednesday.
Read: Australian MP Helen Haines Critical After Vehicle Strike
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett cited growing reports of threats and harassment against federal lawmakers.
She linked the wider trend to political polarisation, anti-government sentiment and conspiracy-driven grievances. Governor-General Sam Mostyn said she was keeping King Charles III updated on developments.
Meanwhile, bouquets gathered outside Haines’s electorate office. Her husband asked supporters to consider donating to the Save the Children Fund instead of sending more flowers. Nugent’s next court hearing is scheduled for February 4.
