Auckland (The NZ Today) – Australian MP Helen Haines is recovering in hospital after undergoing major surgery that resulted in the amputation of both legs following Monday’s alleged vehicle attack in regional Victoria.
The 65-year-old independent MP for Indi remains in a stable condition at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital, where her husband Phil Haines gave an emotional update on Wednesday.
He said the family’s focus was on the fact that she had survived.
“The good news in all this is Helen is alive and she’s stable,” he said, describing her as a deeply compassionate and caring person.
The latest update follows an earlier report that one of Haines’ legs had been amputated after she was struck near her electorate office in Wangaratta. Her family has now confirmed surgeons were ultimately unable to save either leg.
Police have described the incident as a targeted attack, although investigators have not established a motive.
Haines had been near the rear of her vehicle when she was struck by a Toyota LandCruiser on Monday afternoon.
A 43-year-old man, Brendan Nugent, has since been charged and appeared before the Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
He faces several charges, including dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and a federal offence relating to harm caused to a public official. Court documents also list cannabis-related charges.
Nugent did not apply for bail and is expected to return to court on 4 February.
Investigators are examining a broad range of possible motives, including whether the accused held anti-government or extremist views. Police have stressed that this remains one line of inquiry and no motive has yet been confirmed.
Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush said officers were reviewing social media activity, relationships and witness accounts as part of the investigation.
The attack has also triggered wider concern in Australia about threats directed at elected representatives.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said authorities had been seeing increasing levels of abuse, intimidation and threatening rhetoric directed at politicians, particularly online.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the incident reflects a more hostile and divided political environment, while Governor-General Sam Mostyn has called for greater civility in public debate.
Haines entered federal Parliament in 2019 after working as a nurse, midwife, researcher and academic. She has built a profile as an independent voice on integrity, transparency and regional issues.
Source: ABC Australia; Victoria Police
