Aus MP loses leg, remains critical after alleged targeted attack

An Australian MP remains in a critical condition after losing a leg in an alleged attack outside her electorate office in northern Victoria.

Independent member for Indi Dr Helen Haines, 65, was outside her office in Wangaratta when she was allegedly struck by a Toyota LandCruiser on Monday afternoon at around 3pm.

She was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, where she underwent surgery overnight, with sources confirming she had lost one of her legs.

Brendan Nugent, 43, from the nearby town of Tarrawingee, has been identified by Australian media as the alleged driver and remains in police custody. No charges have been laid.

In a statement Tuesday evening, his father Rod Nugent and Rod's partner Christine Cunningham said Haines had been their friend for more than 20 years.

"What happened to her yesterday is devastating and unfathomable," they said.

"We would like to sincerely thank members of the local community and police who came to Helen's aid yesterday after the shocking and horrific crime. We will be assisting Victoria Police in any way we can.

"Helen Haines is a deeply respected, valued and much loved member of our local community."

The 65-year-old was at the boot of her car when the four-wheel drive allegedly made a U-turn, hit her, reversed and hit her again, according to eyewitness accounts relayed by government ministers.

Counter-terrorism authorities are investigating the incident.

Haines' husband Phil, daughter Georgia and sons Nick and Will were seen briefly emerging from the hospital on Tuesday afternoon, where they have been at her bedside.

Nugent had reportedly been apprehended behind the wheel of the LandCruiser by local barber Ricky Jefferies, who says the driver had a knife, before police arrived to detain him.

He was held at Wangaratta police station overnight and questioned on Tuesday morning, but is yet to be formally charged, with authorities reportedly blocking access to an address connected to Nugent not far from Wangaratta.

Back in town, locals crowded a church for a vigil in support of Dr Haines

State Nationals MP Tim McCurdy told AAP he had come across Nugent before, but said his interactions with him were non-aggressive.

"He wasn't threatening to any of our staff," he said.

It is not clear whether the alleged attack was politically motivated, with Victoria's counter-terrorism task force being joined in the investigation by federal police and spy agency ASIO.

There was no recent evidence Nugent was on authorities' radar prior to the alleged attack, Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason said earlier on Tuesday.

The incident also seemed to be a standalone with no enduring danger, according to AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett.

"At this stage it appears this is an isolated incident, and there are no known threats connected to this matter," she said.

Federal and Victorian police briefed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, along with Victorian Premier Ben Carroll, on the incident on Tuesday morning.

Albanese has alleged the attack on Dr Haines was clearly deliberate.

"This wasn't something with a car just going off the off the road, this is something that is very clear was aimed at causing harm to Helen Haines," the prime minister told News24 earlier on Tuesday.

The agency is gearing up to deliver more security briefings to federal MPs, after reporting a rise in threats against federal parliamentarians, high office-holders and electorate officers in recent years.

A task force to disrupt high-impact, politically motivated violence and similar potential crimes has already charged 41 people for threatening politicians and higher-ups since being established in October 2025, according to the AFP.

Australia's top spy boss also used the incident to issue a renewed plea for more civil political discourse.

Politically-motivated violence was as grave a threat to national security as espionage and foreign interference, ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said.

A knife was seized from inside the vehicle after a bystander performed a citizen's arrest, which Albanese said offered a ray of hope amid the horrific event.

"At this dark and terrible time, a element of light is the fact that a good Samaritan, someone rushed to Helen's defence ... put themselves potentially at risk by doing so, and that person is a hero today," he said.

"At the worst of times, we do see the best of the Australian character, and when it comes to the Australian character, there's no one better than Helen Haines."

Mason thanked members of the community who had stepped in to help.

"This would have been a tragic, horrific incident for people to witness," Mason said.

"But I just thank those that were nearby and those that were involved and assisted in detaining the male, and then also provided any assistance to the injured female."

The attack has been condemned by MPs and senators from across the political spectrum.

It was a shocking day for the nation, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said.

"No one should be targeted in this way," he said in a statement. "Our nation cannot become a place where violent attacks are normalised."

Zali Steggall, who sits next to Haines in the House of Representatives, said she was shocked and devastated.

"I have worked with Helen since 2019 ... she is a wonderful, caring, smart and wise friend and amazing representative for her community," she said in a statement.

"I am thinking of Helen and her wonderful family."

Threats and incidents against federal parliamentarians had increased year on year, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said.

"The year before last, we had 951 reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against various high office holders.

"The more recent financial year, that 951 has gone to 1067."

Haines represented the best of the nation, crossbench colleague and frequent collaborator David Pocock said.

"Helen represents so much of the values we share as Australians," Pocock said in a post to social media.

"At a moment like this we should turn to them more than ever and be sure to take care of one another."

Greens leader David Shoebridge, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, Victorian Premier Ben Carroll and state Liberal counterpart Jess Wilson were among many others wishing Haines a full recovery.

Haines has represented the regional seat of Indi as an independent since 2019, coming to prominence on her platform of political transparency and integrity.

Her family thanked bystanders and emergency workers who had assisted "our beloved Helen".

"Please keep Helen in your thoughts," they said in a statement.

Following the attack, several high-profile female politicians warned threats of serious violence are becoming increasingly common.

"The threats of violence have gone through the roof in the time I've been there," Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek, who entered parliament in 1998, said.

"Rape and death threats are regular."

In the last year, reports of harassment towards Australian politicians rose from 951 to 1067.

Attacks on electorate offices have also grown.

Plibersek and her colleagues, including independent MPs Dr Sophie Scamps and Dr Monique Ryan, spoke with emotion as they recounted the popularity of the regional Victorian MP.

All of them stressed the importance of politicians staying accessible to the public, even as poor treatment towards them rose.

"This is the worst possible thing to happen to the best possible person in the world," Ryan told ABC Radio.

"Helen is extraordinary and I wouldn't say that if I didn't mean it."

Scamps, who called Haines a "strong advocate for democracy", said it was an attack on the core of Australian politics.

"There's times during pre-election or the election campaigns where I think hatred and division is stoked purposefully, and I've had people being incredibly aggressive to me," the northern Sydney MP said.

"I really hope that we don't, you know, feel unsafe in our communities."

Haines was praised by the Centre for Public Integrity, with which she has worked closely.

"She is passionate, principled, intelligent, warm and down to earth," the centre said in a statement.

"We are shocked by the increasingly hostile environment in which Australian parliamentarians are working.

"Our democracy depends on people being willing and able to serve their communities, engage openly with the public and advocate for what they believe in, without fear for their personal safety."

The sentiment was echoed by Climate200, the Simon Holmes a Court-led organisation that backed Haines and other independents in the last two elections.

"There is no place for violence in politics," the organisation said.

- Additional reporting by 1News