Police have arrested a 43-year-old Tarrawingee man over an alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta. Haines remained in a critical condition on Tuesday after being airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred hospital for emergency surgery. She has lost one leg, and surgeons are working to save the other. The man's father, Rod Nugent, said the family would assist Victoria Police and described the family's long friendship with Haines. Local residents and former environmental campaigners have described the man as a longtime forestry campaigner whose behaviour had concerned some people for years.
Independent MP Helen Haines remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition after a car struck her near her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. Victoria Police arrested a 43-year-old Tarrawingee man at the scene, and he remains in custody and under investigation. The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said the act appeared deliberate, though the motive has not been determined. Witnesses told Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke the driver made a U-turn and hit Dr Haines twice. Political leaders across the spectrum have sent their best wishes for her recovery.
Federal Parliament paused on Monday to pay tribute to Indi MP Helen Haines, who is recovering in a Melbourne hospital. Police allege Brendan Nugent, 43, drove a four-wheel-drive into her as she collected items from her car outside her Wangaratta electorate office. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for lower temperatures in political debate, warning of rising rage and aggression. Opposition leader Angus Taylor described the attack as a national tragedy. Politicians across parties spoke about threats against MPs and their staff, and a donation page in her name had raised more than $1.2 million.
Federal parliament suspended normal business on Monday to pay tribute to independent MP Helen Haines after a man allegedly hit her with his car in a targeted attack in Wangaratta. Police say the attack left her with severe injuries, and both of her legs were later amputated. MPs across parties praised her calm, kindness and commitment to civility in politics. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the country must find a better way to argue, while others called for a conversation about regional mental health services.
Calls for a civility pledge have grown after an alleged vehicle attack on independent MP Helen Haines, who lost both legs. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said more needed to be done to lower the temperature of political debate. The pledge, led by Compassion in Politics Australia, asks signatories to act with honesty, respect and compassion. A similar pledge was introduced in the United Kingdom after the murder of MP Jo Cox in 2016. Supporters say a more civil culture could help protect politicians and restore public trust in politics.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led tributes in parliament to independent MP Helen Haines, who was allegedly struck by a four-wheel drive outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on October 19. Dr Haines has had both legs amputated but is in a stable condition. Albanese praised her inner strength and the bystanders and medical staff who helped her. Independent MPs plan to sign a civility pledge in her honour. A fundraiser set up by her family for Save the Children had passed $1.2 million by Sunday.
MPs paid tribute to Indi MP Helen Haines in parliament on Monday after an alleged attack outside her Wangaratta office. Allegra Spender said Haines's first concerns after waking were for her staff, and thanked first responders, nurses and bystanders. Haines is in a serious but stable condition after the attack, which led to the loss of both legs. A 43-year-old man has been charged, and the incident remains under investigation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned of rising anger in public life, and Haines has been granted leave until 26 November.
Alpine Shire Council has received $530,000 from the Victorian Government's Local Sports Infrastructure Fund. Of this, $500,000 will upgrade amenities at the Myrtleford Indoor Stadium, including renovated toilets and change rooms, a new meeting room and accessible changing facilities. The remaining $30,000 will help complete the draft Alpine Shire Open Space Strategy 2027-2037, which will seek community input on parks, playgrounds and reserves. Mayor Sarah Nicholas welcomed the funding. Further details on scope and timelines will be released when the projects begin in 2027.
Alpine Shire Council will hold a free green waste weekend at its Mount Beauty, Myrtleford and Porepunkah transfer stations on 14 and 15 November 2026, from 10am to 2pm. Mayor Sarah Nicholas urged residents to clear their properties before the declared fire season. The Country Fire Authority advises moving flammable items away from houses, clearing dry debris, keeping grass under 10cm and cleaning gutters. Each customer may bring up to two cubic metres per day. Branches must be 200mm or less in diameter, and stumps will not be accepted.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
WorkSafe inspectors will be able to issue on-the-spot fines from 31 March to reduce fatal falls at work. Employers can be fined for failing to control fall risks, keeping safety records unavailable, or starting high-risk construction work without a Safe Work Method Statement. Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Steve Dimopoulos said falls remain a leading cause of workplace deaths and serious injuries. WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said employers face no new obligations, but those breaking the law will face consequences sooner.
