BRISBANE: Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines has undergone the amputation of both legs after she was allegedly deliberately rammed by a vehicle outside her electorate office in northeastern Victoria.
Haines, 65, remains in critical condition in hospital following the incident in Wangaratta on Monday, October 19, 2026.
Her husband, Phil Haines, disclosed the development during a press conference at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne on Wednesday, saying surgeons had been unable to save her right leg after amputating the left one on Monday.
“Her left leg was amputated on Monday. We had been hoping that her right leg would be saved, but… the surgeons had to also remove her right leg,” he said.
Despite the severity of her injuries, Phil Haines said his wife was alive and stable, offering a measure of hope amid the difficult circumstances.
According to reports, Haines was standing behind her parked vehicle, unloading items from its boot, when a man driving a Toyota Land Cruiser allegedly drove past her, turned around and rammed her against her car.
The motive for the incident has not been established.
Bystanders reportedly rushed to help the injured lawmaker, while a local barber pulled the driver from the vehicle and detained him until police arrived.
Haines was subsequently airlifted to Melbourne for emergency medical treatment.
She has represented her community as an independent member of Australia’s federal parliament since 2019.
The alleged attacker, identified as 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, appeared in court on Wednesday, facing charges including dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
During the brief court proceeding, Nugent’s lawyer reportedly told the court that his client had a rare neurological condition and was not currently taking medication.
No bail application was made, and the next court hearing was scheduled for February 4, 2027.
Police have yet to establish whether the alleged attack was politically motivated.
Australia’s Governor-General, Sam Mostyn, expressed concern over the incident, saying she was keeping King Charles III informed about developments.
“Australia is still reeling with the shock and distress of this terrible attack,” Mostyn said, describing the incident as deeply distressing, particularly for residents of Victoria.
Meanwhile, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told a news conference that parliamentarians had been receiving security briefings amid increasing reports of harassment and threats against federal lawmakers.
Barrett pointed to growing political polarisation, anti-government sentiment, conspiracy-driven behaviour and personal grievances as factors contributing to security concerns.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said authorities had no intelligence indicating that Nugent posed an imminent threat before the incident.
As bouquets of flowers continued to accumulate outside Haines’ electorate office, her husband encouraged supporters to consider donating to Save the Children instead of sending flowers.
He said financial contributions would be a practical way for people to express their support for the lawmaker during her recovery.
The alleged attack has renewed concerns about the safety of elected officials in Australia, although investigators have not yet determined the motive behind the incident.
By RapidoSpace News
