Federal MPs paid emotional tributes to independent Helen Haines in the House of Representatives after she was seriously injured in an alleged vehicle attack outside her Wangaratta office. Haines has lost both legs, and her condition is now described as serious. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor both spoke of hoping she will return to parliament. Albanese warned that rising anger and division in public life must not be ignored, while Taylor rejected any link between robust debate and violence.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has said an attack on Indi MP Helen Haines should not deter young women from pursuing careers in politics. Raising the issue during Question Time, she addressed concerns about violence directed at women and public officials. Plibersek argued that women in public life cannot step aside and leave the field to those who would intimidate them. The remarks came during a day of rolling coverage, which included a list of key events and a filterable feed of posts.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will lead tributes to Independent MP Helen Haines when Federal Parliament returns on Monday, a week after an alleged attack on her in Wangaratta. Police allege Brendan Nugent, 43, rammed her with a Toyota LandCruiser before bystanders pulled him from the driver's seat. Haines is in a serious but stable condition after surgeries in Melbourne, and her husband says both legs were amputated. A fundraiser in her name for Save the Children has passed $1.1 million. Politicians have called for more care in public language, while police say the motive remains under investigation.
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Young voters in the Indi electorate have spoken about how independent MP Helen Haines has shaped their lives. Artist Frankie Carroll, now studying in the UK, has produced a comic series sharing their experience with Ms Haines, who made them feel heard, valued and safe after the Wangaratta Rainbow Ball was cancelled over security concerns. Mansfield's Connor McFadden said Ms Haines remembered him when they met again in Canberra and genuinely cares about people's lives. Carroll said they hope to see more empathy and tolerance in politics following Monday's attack.
Australians have lit candles at 8pm AEDT to show support for independent MP Helen Haines, four days after she was struck by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria. The Wangaratta Beacon has been lit in amber as part of the vigil. Vigils were also held in Lismore, NSW. The Alfred hospital says Ms Haines, 65, remains in critical condition, and her husband revealed both her legs were amputated. Police allege the attack was deliberate by Brendan Nugent, 43, who has been transferred to Melbourne in custody ahead of a February hearing.
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.
Staff of independent MP Helen Haines say they are devastated and that being close to the incident has been deeply traumatic for the team. Haines remains in a critical condition at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, and her husband Phil says she is alive and stable. Brendan Nugent has been charged over the incident, which police allege happened outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. Nugent did not apply for bail and remains in custody. His next court appearance is set for 4 February 2027.
Former independent MP Cathy McGowan, who first won the Indi seat in 2013, says she felt enormous relief after learning that her close friend Helen Haines is alive. Haines was struck by a car outside her Wangaratta electorate office in an alleged targeted attack, and her husband Phil has confirmed both her legs were amputated. McGowan said the community must now grapple with shock and a sense of shame, noting that such violence could happen to anyone in rural Australia.
Brendan Nugent, accused of attacking Indi MP Helen Haines, was remanded in custody after his first court appearance in Wangaratta. Police have been ordered to serve their brief of evidence on the defence by Christmas Eve. He faces charges including dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. Police said a charge of attempted murder is being considered. A committal mention hearing is scheduled for February 4, 2027.
Phil Haines has spoken publicly for the first time since a car struck his wife, independent MP Helen Haines, outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday. He said both of her legs have been amputated and that her recovery would be long and difficult. Doctors at the Alfred hospital in Melbourne are treating her for critical injuries. Governor-General Sam Mostyn urged Australians to debate with greater civility. Former MP Cathy McGowan called on voters to call out bad behaviour, and a vigil was planned in Wodonga.
Moonee Valley City Council says it is deeply saddened by an attack on Helen Haines, the independent federal member for Indi. The council wishes her a full and speedy recovery and extends its support to her family, friends and colleagues.
Independent MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition after she was struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. Politicians, health bodies and community groups have expressed shock and support. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken with her husband, Phil. Dr Haines had surgery and was airlifted to Melbourne. A man is in custody and police say the motive is unclear. Victoria Police is leading the investigation, supported by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team.
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.
Police say further serious charges, including attempted murder, may be laid against a Victorian man over the alleged attack on Indi MP Helen Haines. Brendan Nugent, 43, faces three charges, including intentionally causing serious injury. Ms Haines, 65, remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said the attack was a deliberate but isolated act, and that investigators are examining the motive. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said there has been an increase in unlawful behaviour towards parliamentarians.
Fellow politicians have praised independent MP Helen Haines as compassionate and determined. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said she represents the best of Australia's political representatives. He spoke after a shock attack outside her office. Haines has represented the Indi community since 2019. Before becoming a politician, she worked as a nurse and midwife in Victoria's rural health system, and she has been a key figure in creating the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
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Monash MP Mary Aldred has condemned the attack on Indi MP Helen Haines as an assault on democracy. Haines lost a leg after she was struck by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said witnesses saw the vehicle make a U-turn before it hit her, calling it a deliberate act. A 43-year-old Tarrawingee man was arrested at the scene. Haines, 65, underwent surgery in Melbourne and remains in critical condition.
Police allege a driver struck independent federal MP Helen Haines, and the ABC has named the driver as 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, who is in police custody. Online posts examined by ABC NEWS Verify show a white Toyota LandCruiser matching one seen at the scene. Neighbours say they have repeatedly called police over concerns for Mr Nugent's mental health. Sources say he has undergone a mental health assessment while in custody. Mr Nugent has posted for more than a decade about the environment and politics, and was previously a member of the group Save Our Strathbogie Forest.
Independent federal MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition after being hit by a 4WD outside her electoral office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the incident as a deliberate attack, and alleged in that sense. Haines was taken to hospital with severe leg injuries and later flown to Melbourne, where she underwent surgery overnight. Politicians across the political divide have sent statements of support, with Opposition leader Angus Taylor saying political violence must never be accepted as part of public life. Haines represents the seat of Indi in north Victoria.
Independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly struck deliberately outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. Leaders and colleagues have praised her career in nursing, advocacy and politics. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described her as kind, compassionate and widely respected across the political spectrum. Dr Haines, the member for Indi in northern Victoria, has been a key figure in establishing the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Independent Senator David Pocock called her the very best of us.
Independent federal MP Helen Haines is in critical condition after being allegedly struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. Investigations are underway and a 43-year-old man is in custody. Fellow independent MPs Zali Steggall, Sophie Scamps and Nicolette Boele have expressed shock and support for Haines, her family and the Indi community. Steggall called Haines a caring and wise friend and representative. Scamps said the divisive, hate-filled politics has to end.
