Get the appFederal MP Clare O’Neil has visited the Sri Venkata Krishna Brundavana Temple in Murrumbeena. She met His Holiness Sri Radha Manohar Das Swamiji and members of the local Hindu community. O’Neil described the temple on social media as a place of warmth, welcome and faith, and thanked the temple community for its welcome. Her post did not mention any formal announcements or policy discussions during the visit.
Prosecutors have dropped a breach of bail charge against Labor MP Luke Gosling at a short hearing in the Darwin Local Court. Gosling still faces two charges of assaulting Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly, which he denies. Those charges were not raised in court on Monday. Gosling's lawyer, Marty Aust SC, described the withdrawal as a first step in the successful defence of all charges. Gosling's bail conditions bar him from coming within 50 metres of NT Government House.
A bail-breach charge against federal Labor MP Luke Gosling has been withdrawn by prosecutor Jo Poole in Darwin Local Court. No reason was given. Gosling's lawyer, Marty Aust SC, said the decision was only the first step in defending all charges. Gosling continues to deny the allegations. He still faces two counts of assaulting Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly at a Darwin festival in July. The assault matters return to court on November 25.
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Get the appPolice 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.
The Alfred Hospital says federal MP Helen Haines is in a serious but stable condition, her first improvement since the incident. Haines, 65, suffered critical injuries on October 19 when she was allegedly struck by a LandCruiser outside her office in Wangaratta. Both her legs were amputated in an effort to save her life. Police allege the attack was deliberate and say 43-year-old Brendan Nugent faces several charges. Her husband Phil described her as a fighter. A fundraiser set up for her has raised almost $1 million.
Federal MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition almost a week after an alleged targeted attack outside her Wangaratta office. Her legs were amputated in the days after the incident. Her alleged attacker, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, faces charges including intentionally causing serious injury. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said police are examining a possible rift between Nugent and his family as one motive. Nugent is due back in court on February 4.
A 43-year-old Tarrawingee man, Brendan Nugent, has been charged after police allege he ran down federal MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta on Monday. Police have charged him with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a commonwealth public official. At his first court appearance, his lawyer said he suffers from a rare neurological condition and has mental health concerns. Haines has lost both legs but is expected to survive. A community vigil was held in Wodonga, where locals questioned how the incident could happen.
Victoria Police say a reported rift between Brendan Nugent and his family is one line of inquiry in the attack on federal MP Helen Haines. Commissioner Mike Bush said every line of inquiry remains open. He said Mr Nugent's father and the father's partner have been helpful to the investigation. Haines remains in a critical condition at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne. Police are also reviewing security for politicians ahead of the Victorian state election on November 28.
Many women in Australia say they feel unsafe and traumatised after federal MP Helen Haines was attacked in Wangaratta on Monday. Police allege 43-year-old Brendan Nugent ran her down outside her electoral office. He has been charged with multiple offences, including harming a Commonwealth official and drug charges. His motive is unclear. Haines remains in hospital in a critical condition. Experts say the attack has heightened fear, and that media reporting of violence against women is one of the few ways women learn about the risks they face.
Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant says her community is shocked and heartbroken after federal Independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office. Haines, 65, remains in critical condition at The Alfred Hospital, where surgeons amputated both legs. Her husband Phil said she is alive and stable. Brendan Nugent, 43, has been charged over what police allege was a deliberate attack. He did not apply for bail and will remain in custody until his next court appearance in February. Police say more charges are not ruled out.
Prosecutors are reconsidering a plea offer to an Adelaide man accused of sending menacing emails to federal MP Matt Burnell. Ronald Dean Munro, 74, was due to plead to 10 counts of using a carriage service in a harassing or offensive way in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Prosecutors said they were no longer in a position to maintain an earlier agreement. Munro's lawyer said the matter is now destined for trial. Munro, who denies the charges, is accused of sending the emails between May 2023 and December 2025. The matter was adjourned for two weeks.
A man has been charged with three offences over an alleged targeted attack on independent MP Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday afternoon. Police allege the attack was deliberate. Two visitors to the area rushed to help Dr Haines, applying a tourniquet to her leg. Dr Haines underwent emergency surgery, but one of her legs could not be saved. The accused, Brendan Nugent, from nearby Tarrawingee, did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to appear again in February.
Brendan Nugent, 43, has been charged over an alleged deliberate attack on independent MP Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta office. Police have not ruled out further charges, including attempted murder. Haines remains in a critical but stable condition after emergency surgery. In court, Nugent's lawyer said he has a neurological condition and raised concerns about his mental health. Nugent was remanded in custody, and federal police say establishing a motive is the investigation's first priority.
Brendan James Nugent, 43, appeared in the Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday, charged over an alleged car attack on independent MP Helen Haines. Dr Haines remains in hospital in a critical condition. Magistrate Allison Vaughan remanded Mr Nugent in custody until the new year, with his next court date set for February 4. Police allege the attack was targeted and have not ruled out further charges. Mr Nugent faces charges including dangerous driving causing serious injury and possession of cannabis.
Brendan Nugent, 43, has faced court in Wangaratta, where his lawyer said he suffers from a rare neurological condition and is not currently medicated. Nugent is charged over an alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines, in which witnesses allege his vehicle repeatedly struck her. He faces dangerous driving and serious injury charges, and police have added cannabis offences. No bail application was made, and the case returns to court on February 4.
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Get the appIndependent MP Helen Haines has had her right leg amputated, her husband Phil Haines says, after her left leg was removed earlier in the week. He said she is alive and stable, and that her recovery will be long. Brendan Nugent, 43, briefly faced Wangaratta Magistrates' Court charged over the alleged attack outside her electorate office, and did not apply for bail. Police say they had no forewarning of the threat and have yet to determine a motive. Leaders across politics and beyond have called for respect and calm in public debate.
Independent MP Helen Haines has lost both legs after an alleged attack outside her Wangaratta electorate office, her husband Phil Haines has said. Police allege Brendan Nugent, 43, drove a LandCruiser into her on Monday and has been charged with several offences, with further charges including attempted murder still possible. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said officers had no intelligence on Mr Nugent before the incident and are examining possible links to the sovereign citizen movement. Victorian Premier Ben Carroll described online propaganda as turning neighbour against neighbour.
Brendan Nugent, 43, has been charged over an alleged deliberate attack on independent MP Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta office. Police have not ruled out further charges, including attempted murder. Haines remains in a critical but stable condition after emergency surgery. In court, Nugent's lawyer said he has a neurological condition and raised concerns about his mental health. Nugent was remanded in custody, and federal police say establishing a motive is the investigation's first priority.
A car allegedly rammed federal MP Helen Haines in the main street of Wangaratta, Victoria, on Monday afternoon. Victoria police allege the attack was targeted and have charged Brendan Nugent, 43. Haines suffered serious leg injuries and has had one leg amputated. Bystanders rushed to help, and a local barber says he pulled the driver from the car. Locals in the close-knit city say they are shocked, and many have left flowers and messages outside Haines' office.