Get the appParliament returns this week without independent MP Helen Haines, who was struck by a car outside her Wangaratta office. Police are treating the incident as a deliberate attack, and both her legs have since been amputated. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to move a motion allowing MPs to offer messages of support. Security has been increased across public areas of Parliament House, and MPs have backed calls for a civility pledge.
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.
Staff of independent MP Helen Haines say they have been moved by public kindness as they prepare to reopen her electorate offices. Haines remains in critical condition after a car allegedly struck her outside her Wangaratta office on Monday, and both her legs were amputated. Brendan Nugent, 43, is accused of deliberately driving into her. A charity appeal in her honour has raised more than $730,000. Police, federal agencies and state leaders are reviewing security for politicians, and parliamentarians in several states have received briefings.
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Get the appWangaratta educational support worker Lizz Gourley, who has met local MP Helen Haines only a few times, has written her a heartfelt letter after the attack. Ms Haines remains in a critical condition in a Melbourne hospital, more than three days after she was struck by a car outside her electorate office. Ms Gourley described the attack as unfathomable and unacceptable, and said people across Australia were standing with the MP and her family. She recalled a brief photo moment when Ms Haines met her four-week-old daughter Minnie, and said Ms Haines seemed warm, genuine and kind.
Victoria's premier, Ben Carroll, says extra security will be in place for the November 28 state election after an alleged targeted attack on federal MP Helen Haines. Police allege Brendan Nugent, 43, drove a four-wheel-drive into Dr Haines outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday. She remains in critical condition after both legs were amputated. Nugent has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious harm and intentionally causing serious harm, and faced court for the first time on Wednesday. Police have not ruled out further charges, including attempted murder.
Victoria's premier, Ben Carroll, says extra security will be in place for the November 28 state election after an alleged targeted attack on federal MP Helen Haines. Police allege Brendan Nugent, 43, drove a four-wheel-drive into Dr Haines outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday. She remains in critical condition after both legs were amputated. Nugent has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious harm and intentionally causing serious harm, and faced court for the first time on Wednesday. Police have not ruled out further charges, including attempted murder.
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.
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.
Police have laid charges against a 43-year-old man after independent federal MP Helen Haines was allegedly struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Victoria. Brendan Nugent faces three charges: dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. Journalists are also speaking with political editors to explain what is known so far.
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.
Police have laid charges against a 43-year-old man after independent federal MP Helen Haines was allegedly struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Victoria. Brendan Nugent faces three charges: dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. Journalists are also speaking with political editors to explain what is known so far.
Residents of Wangaratta in regional Victoria have been left shaken after an alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines, who remains in critical but stable condition. A four-wheel drive reportedly struck her outside her office on Monday afternoon, then reversed and hit her again. About 200 people gathered at a vigil on Tuesday, lighting candles and praying for the 65-year-old's recovery. Reverend Clarence Bester praised her as a caring former nurse and midwife who treats everyone with dignity. Barber Ricky Jeffries, who says a driver carried a knife, stepped in to remove it and has been called a hero.
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.