Helen Haines loses both legs after car hits her outside office

MP struck outside Wangaratta office

Independent Member for Indi Helen Haines, 65, was struck by a white Toyota Landcruiser outside her electorate office on Murphy Street, Wangaratta, at about 3:35pm on Monday.^[1] Haines was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne and underwent surgery overnight. She remains in a critical condition, the Alfred Hospital said on Wednesday.^[12] Her husband, Phil Haines, said she had lost both legs: surgeons amputated her left leg on Monday and hoped to save her right but could not.^[13] "She is a fighter," he said.^[12]

"The good news in all this is Helen is alive and she's stable," Phil Haines said at the Alfred Hospital on Wednesday evening, asking supporters to donate to Save the Children. Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who joined him, said "this violent attack on a much loved and respected sitting member of our federal parliament must be a moment for us to pause and to choose to be better".^[14]

Her family confirmed she had been taken for medical care. "This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care," the family said.^[2]

Haines, a former nurse and midwife who has held Indi as an independent since 2019, raised three children with her husband, Phil. Her husband Phil, daughter Georgia and sons Nick and Will have been at her bedside.^[7]

Prime Minister says it was no accident

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Haines had been attacked. "This wasn't an accident," Albanese said.^[3] Albanese said the AFP, ASIO and a joint counter-terrorism team were working with Victoria Police. "It is too early to speculate on motivation and we won't be doing so," he said.^[6]

The man in custody has been identified as Brendan Nugent, 43, from nearby Tarrawingee. Local barber Ricky Jefferies held him behind the wheel before police arrived.^[7] Victoria Police charged Nugent on Tuesday night with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and the federal offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment. He appeared in the Wangaratta Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, where no application for bail was made, and the case returns to court on 4 February. His lawyer told the court Nugent had a rare neurological condition.^[10]

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said the investigation was "far from complete" and police were "not ruling out further serious charges".^[11]

Victoria Police said officers would allege the incident was targeted.^[9]

Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason said there was no recent evidence Nugent had been on authorities' radar. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said: "At this stage it appears this is an isolated incident, and there are no known threats connected to this matter."^[7]

ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said: "This incident occurred in an environment where politically motivated violence is more likely than previous years."^[7]

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said: "Our nation cannot become a place where violent attacks are normalised." Victorian Premier Ben Carroll said he was "deeply appalled by this violent attack on Helen Haines", and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said she was "horrified and saddened".^[6]

Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie said Haines was "the best of us". "Helen, out of everyone I know, certainly didn't deserve what happened to her today," Sharkie said.^[6]

Haines had been due to speak on the ABC's Afternoon Briefing about the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Shortly before, her office called the program: "There's been something very serious that's happened. She cannot come on."^[6]

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against high office holders rose from 951 to 1,067 in the past year.^[6]

On Tuesday, locals held a vigil for Haines at Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Wangaratta.^[7]