Australian independent MP Helen Haines has lost both legs after a car allegedly driven into her outside her electorate office in Victoria, her husband has confirmed.
Phil Haines said his wife suffered significant injuries in the incident in Wangaratta, about 240km northeast of Melbourne, but remained mentally strong as she began a long recovery.
“The horrendous incident” caused his wife significant injuries, he said, adding that “her heart and her mind are in good shape.”
“The good news in all this is that she’s alive.
Phil said his wife’s recovery would be difficult but expressed confidence in her determination to recover with the support of her family.Her road to recovery will be long and difficult, but we know she is a fighter. she is a determined person who will do her best, with our support and love, to recover. And that is what we hope for.”
He thanked hospital staff and people in Australia and other countries who had expressed concern for his wife. He also encouraged those wishing to support her to donate to the Save the Children fund.
The alleged attacker, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, appeared in court on Wednesday after being arrested at the scene.
He faces three charges: dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. Police said further charges, including attempted murder, could follow.
Nugent did not apply for bail and is due back in court in February. He remained silent during the brief hearing.
His lawyer told the court that Nugent had mental health concerns but provided no further details. The court also heard that he has a rare neurological condition called idiopathic transverse myelitis, which involves inflammation of the spinal cord.
Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush said investigators had yet to establish a motive for the incident. “His motivation for this what we allege is a deliberate attack is very much a centrepiece of the investigation.”
Police said Nugent was not previously on their radar and there had been no intelligence indicating a threat to Haines before the incident.
Investigators are examining whether drugs or medication played a role and whether there was a personal connection between the two.
Nugent’s family said they had been friends with Haines for many years and described the incident as “devastating and unfathomable.”
The attack happened at about 3:35pm on Monday outside Haines’s electorate office in Wangaratta. Bystanders pulled Nugent from the vehicle and detained him after the collision.
Jacob and Jackie Evans were among the first people to help Haines. Jacob used a tourniquet from a medical kit in his car to stem bleeding from one of her legs.
Jackie said Haines thanked them as she lay seriously injured. “Thank you, you lovely people,” Haines told them, according to reports.
The incident has shocked the Wangaratta community and Australia’s political establishment, where political violence is relatively rare.
Haines, who represents the regional seat of Indi in Victoria, was first elected to parliament in 2019 and is well regarded by colleagues across party lines.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had spoken to Phil Haines several times since the incident.
In an interview Albanese highlighted the abuse directed at female politicians, including threats of sexual violence.
Police have also reported a recent increase in threats against senior public officials, with almost one person a week being charged with such offences.
The attack has renewed debate about security for Australian parliamentarians. Federal police said providing individual protection for all 226 federal MPs would require a substantial number of additional personnel.
Instead, authorities assess requests for close protection based on an individual’s role and the level of threat they face.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who appeared alongside Phil Haines at the press conference, urged Australians to respond to the incident with greater compassion. “This is a moment for us to pause, and to choose to be better.”
She called on people to show kindness to those affected and to “exercise our muscle of decency.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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