Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett says heated political debate is directly linked to threats against parliamentarians. Speaking on the ABC's Insiders program, she said the threat environment has worsened, with a daily report listing threats made to the AFP. Security at Parliament House is being reassessed after a car ramming attack on independent MP Helen Haines in her Wangaratta electorate. Dr Haines has had both legs amputated and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition. Police say a man, Brendan Nugent, has been charged over the incident, and investigators are working to establish a possible motive.
Police are investigating after Victorian emergency services minister Paul Edbrooke found a bullet on his car on Saturday. The bullet was inscribed with the word RAT and his old firefighter number. Mr Edbrooke called it a death threat and said he had reported it to police. The United Firefighters Union condemned the threat and asked police to find the person responsible. Union secretary Peter Marshall later questioned whether the bullet had been placed on the car at all. Victoria Police said its Security Investigation Unit is investigating.
The Municipal Association of Victoria has recognised long-serving councillors through its 2026 MAV Councillor Service Awards. MAV President Jennifer Anderson said recipients should be proud of their leadership and commitment to residents. She said the role is demanding and often done as a second job or alongside family care. Awards were presented at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30-year service levels, plus a Mayor Emeritus Award. The association said the recipients have left a lasting mark on communities across the state.
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Parliament will pause to pay tribute to independent MP Helen Haines, a week after she was allegedly struck by a four-wheel drive outside her Wangaratta electorate office. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to move a motion setting aside much of Monday for colleagues to offer messages of support. Haines remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition, and both her legs have been amputated. A fundraiser set up by her family for Save the Children had passed $1.2 million by Monday morning. Police are investigating a potential motive, and a suspect has been named in media reports.
Brendan Nugent has been charged over an alleged deliberate ramming of independent MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta. Police say he has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. Nugent remains in custody. Dr Haines remains in a serious but stable condition in Melbourne's Alfred Hospital after both legs were amputated. Video obtained by Nine News shows Nugent's 2022 arrest after a standoff with police in Wangaratta, where he was tasered and later released without charges. The Australian Federal Police say the motive is still under investigation.
Australia's federal police commissioner, Krissy Barrett, says heated political rhetoric is fuelling threats and abuse against politicians. Independent MP Helen Haines remains in a serious but stable condition in Melbourne after an alleged deliberate attack outside her Wangaratta office. Barrett said threats are often reported daily, with women more often targeted with threats of sexual violence. Federal MPs say balancing security with community access is difficult. Labor minister Catherine King said attacks had been expected for years.
A man has died after being trapped under a loading ramp on a rural property in Waggarandall, about 40 kilometres north-east of Shepparton. Emergency services were called to Evans Road at about 10:20am on Sunday. Advanced life support paramedics attended, but the man died at the scene. Police and SES also attended. The death is not being treated as suspicious, WorkSafe has been notified, and police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Parliament will pause its usual business on Monday to pay tribute to independent MP Helen Haines. She was struck twice by a four-wheel drive outside her Wangaratta office last Monday and has had both legs amputated. Her condition is now described as serious but stable at Melbourne's Alfred hospital. Victoria Police have charged 43-year-old Brendan Nugent with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a commonwealth public official. Police say the charges may change as investigators examine a motive. Mr Nugent was remanded in custody after appearing in court on Wednesday.
Australia's federal police commissioner has linked heated political rhetoric directly to threats and abuse aimed at politicians. Independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly run down by a four-wheel-drive outside her Wangaratta electoral office on Monday, and both her legs were amputated. She remains in a serious but stable condition in Melbourne. Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the daily threat reports are often pages long and that women MPs are more often targeted with threats of sexual violence. Federal MPs say they are weighing personal security against contact with voters.
Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett says inflammatory political debate has a direct link to threats and abuse against parliamentarians. She said police would not curtail free speech but would act when rhetoric became violent threats. Independent MP Helen Haines was critically injured when hit by a car outside her Wangaratta office last week. Police have charged Brendan Nugent, 43, and are working to establish a motive, which may take weeks or months. Commissioner Barrett said MPs must make their own decisions about personal safety, and politicians have called for a review of security arrangements.
Federal Police commissioner Krissy Barrett says investigators have not yet established a motive for the alleged car ramming of independent MP Helen Haines. Police are examining reported mental health concerns and possible political motivations. The accused man, Brendan Nugent, 43, faces charges including dangerous driving and intentionally causing serious injury. Haines remains hospitalised in Melbourne in a serious but stable condition. Barrett acknowledged that gaps in regional mental health care are among several challenges facing police.
A senior minister says parliamentarians have long expected an attack like the one on independent MP Helen Haines. Dr Haines was struck twice by a four-wheel drive outside her Wangaratta electorate office, and both her legs were amputated. She was in a serious but stable condition at Melbourne's Alfred hospital on Sunday morning. Victoria Police have charged 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, who was arrested at the scene and remanded in custody. Cabinet minister Catherine King said abuse toward politicians has increased through emails, phone systems and face-to-face encounters.
Police arrested 43-year-old Brendan Nugent on Monday and charged him with attacking federal MP Helen Haines, a long-time friend of his family. Nugent's home is on the edge of Tarrawingee, a town of about 400 people near Wangaratta. Residents say he was not part of the community and had caused disturbances from the property. Police are investigating a reported rift in the family, and the alleged attack on Ms Haines is being examined as possibly an attack on that family. Nugent's next court appearance is in February.
Ten-year-old Brandon Winkworth raised $500 for Bread Hub Victoria after his school charity choice was not selected. The charity matched the amount, doubling it to $1000. The money will fund vouchers for disadvantaged people in Hobsons Bay and Wyndham to use swimming and gym facilities at Laverton Community Hub and Bayfit. Laverton Community Integrated Services chief executive Michael Pernar praised the boy's efforts. Hobsons Bay mayor Diana Grima said the youngster's hard work was an inspiration. Brandon said he is proud of what he achieved.
Melbourne student Aparjot, 21, has self-published her first novel, When We Were Souls, while studying cybersecurity and working part-time. The 376-page story follows two people who meet, fall in love and face the reality that some connections do not last. It is structured around seven Sufi stages of love, reflecting the Punjabi poetry she has written since childhood. Aparjot funded the book herself, designing the cover and editing the manuscript with help from friends. She is now preparing a second book, Ibadat, due in January 2027, which will draw on her Punjabi poems.
