Australian MP Helen Haines loses both legs after alleged car attack, husband says

Australian MP Helen Haines has lost both of her legs after she was hit by a car in what authorities say was a deliberate attack, her husband has confirmed.

Phil Haines said the “horrendous incident” caused his wife serious injuries, but “her heart and her mind are in good shape”. “The good news in all this is that she’s alive,” he said.

The alleged attacker, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, faces multiple charges. He was arrested moments after he allegedly drove his Toyota LandCruiser into the independent MP outside her electorate office in the regional town of Wangaratta, about 240km (150 miles) northeast of Melbourne.

Speaking at a press conference in Melbourne, where she is being treated, Phil Haines said his wife’s “road to recovery will be long and difficult, but we know she is a fighter”. “She is a determined person who will do her best, with our support and love, to recover. And that is what we hope for.”

He thanked hospital staff and people in Australia and abroad who have shown concern for his wife. He urged those who want to show their support to donate to the Save the Children fund. “Please keep sending Helen your love,” he said.

Court appearance and charges

Nugent appeared in the local court on Wednesday, facing three charges: dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. Police said more charges may be laid, including attempted murder.

Nugent, a local man from the nearby town of Tarrawingee who is known as an environmental campaigner, remained silent and showed no emotion during his brief appearance. He did not apply for bail and is due back in court in February. Court documents show he was also charged with cultivating and possessing cannabis.

His lawyer told the court that his client had “mental health concerns” but gave no further detail. The court also heard that Nugent has a rare neurological condition, idiopathic transverse myelitis, which is caused by inflammation of the spinal cord.

Investigation

Victoria Police said its investigation, supported by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), is ongoing and a motive has yet to be established. Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush said: “His motivation for this – what we allege is a deliberate attack – is very much a centrepiece of the investigation.”

Police said Nugent was not on their radar and there was no intelligence of any threat to Haines before the incident. Investigators are also looking into whether drug use or medication played a part, and whether there was any personal connection between Nugent and Haines.

In a statement, Nugent’s family said they had been long-time friends with Haines, who is the independent MP for the regional seat of Indi in Victoria. They described the apparent attack as “devastating and unfathomable”.

The incident

The incident happened on Monday afternoon, at around 3:35 pm local time. Bystanders pulled Nugent from the vehicle and detained him moments after the car hit Haines.

Jacob and Jackie Evans were among the first at the scene. Jackie said Haines thanked them as she lay severely injured. “Thank you, you lovely people,” Haines said, according to the Herald Sun. Jacob used a tourniquet from his car’s medical kit to help stop the bleeding from one of her legs.

Haines underwent surgery and lost one leg. As of Wednesday morning, she had also lost the other, Phil Haines told reporters.

Political reaction and security debate

The Wangaratta community and the wider political sphere are in shock in a country where political violence is rare. Leaders across the political spectrum have paid tribute to Haines, who was first elected in 2019 and is well regarded by her peers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had spoken to Haines’s husband several times since the incident. In an interview with the ABC, he said threats against female politicians took a “different form of vilification and aggression”, such as threats of rape.

Police said threats against “high office holders” have recently been rising, with almost one person a week charged with such offences. The incident has also sparked debate over security for MPs.

Federal police said providing individual protection for each of the country’s 226 federal MPs would require “incredible” levels of staffing. Instead, they assess the need for close personal protection based on a person’s role and the threat environment around them.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who spoke at the same press conference as Phil Haines, said this was “a moment for us to pause, and to choose to be better”. “We should do what I imagine Helen would be doing if she was not the victim of this terrible attack – reaching out to those who are terribly distressed by what has happened,” she said. “Most importantly, that we learn or re-learn to exercise our muscle of decency.”