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.
An alleged Sydney gangster, Masood Zakaria, is seeking to have his murder charges thrown out in the NSW Supreme Court. He claims he was illegally deported from Türkiye. The Australian Federal Police paid Hart International, a security firm, to bring him back in 2023, and the AFP says its actions were lawful. Zakaria's lawyers have compared the operation to a kidnapping. In court this week, a prosecutor conceded he was illegally deported, a key point in his defence. Senior AFP figures are yet to give evidence.
Australian politicians say threats against them have become routine, with police now laying charges almost weekly. Following an alleged attack on Indi MP Helen Haines, whose motive remains unknown, MPs have described rape threats, intimidation and stalking. The Australian Federal Police have offered safety briefings, advising MPs to vary daily routines and share diaries. Police charged 41 people over threats against parliamentarians in the past year. Several MPs say state politicians receive less support than federal ones.
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Police say they had no intelligence that a Tarrawingee man would allegedly drive a vehicle into independent MP Helen Haines. Haines has lost a leg and remains in critical but stable condition in Melbourne. Brendan Nugent, 43, faces charges including dangerous driving causing serious injury and causing harm to a federal public official. He did not apply for bail and will remain in custody until a committal mention on 4 February. The AFP commissioner warned of a growing volume of online abuse and threats against MPs. Victoria Police plans a central process to monitor threats against politicians.
Australian Federal Police commissioner Krissy Barrett says officers are charging almost one person every week for targeting federal parliamentarians or high office holders. Speaking at a joint press conference with Victoria Police about the investigation into an alleged attack on Indi MP Helen Haines, Barrett said people making online threats are often shocked when officers arrive to execute a search warrant or lay charges. Barrett said the federal police had no specific intelligence suggesting an attack as serious as Monday afternoon's would occur. Brendan Nugent faces three charges over the alleged attack on Haines, who is in critical condition.
Independent MP Helen Haines has lost a leg after an alleged attack outside her electorate office. Her alleged attacker has been named as Brendan Nugent. Haines was in critical but stable condition after being rammed twice, according to Burke. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the situation as tragic. The head of Asio has warned about violent rhetoric in public discourse.
Independent MP Helen Haines has lost a leg after an alleged attack outside her electorate office. Her alleged attacker has been named as Brendan Nugent. Haines was in critical but stable condition after being rammed twice, according to Burke. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the situation as tragic. The head of Asio has warned about violent rhetoric in public discourse.
Independent MP Helen Haines has lost a leg and remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria. Police say a 43-year-old man was arrested at the scene and could be charged with causing harm to a commonwealth public official. Counter-terrorism authorities are investigating, and it is not yet clear whether the alleged attack was politically motivated. The Australian Federal Police say the incident appears isolated and that no known threats are connected to it. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attack was clearly aimed at causing harm to Ms Haines.
Independent MP Helen Haines has lost a leg and remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria. Police say a 43-year-old man was arrested at the scene and could be charged with causing harm to a commonwealth public official. Counter-terrorism authorities are investigating, and it is not yet clear whether the alleged attack was politically motivated. The Australian Federal Police say the incident appears isolated and that no known threats are connected to it. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attack was clearly aimed at causing harm to Ms Haines.
Masood Zakaria, who faces charges over the 2021 killings of Salim and Toufik Hamze, is contesting the lawfulness of his removal from Türkiye to Australia. His lawyers allege he had requested being sent to Iraq, and that the Australian Federal Police paid $1.1 million to a private security company to bring him home. Mr Zakaria's counsel says he was effectively abducted and that the payment raises questions about secrecy. The AFP maintains its conduct was lawful. A Supreme Court hearing before Justice Edward Muston is underway, with testimony from senior law enforcement figures expected.
Two men have been charged with defrauding the government of $3.3 million. One man allegedly impersonated Services Australia staff to make fraudulent Medicare claims worth $1.5 million. He was arrested in Emu Plains and charged with influencing and impersonating a Commonwealth public official. A second man was charged with obtaining a gain from a Commonwealth entity and dealing with the proceeds of crime worth $1 million or more. Police allege he submitted fraudulent invoices totalling $1.89 million to the National Disability Insurance Agency.
