Man Charged in Alleged Targeted Attack on Australian MP Helen Haines
Brendan Nugent faces multiple charges, including dangerous driving and intentionally causing serious injury, after an incident outside MP Helen Haines' office.
A man has been charged with multiple offenses following an incident where an independent Member of Parliament, Helen Haines, was struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, northern Victoria. Police allege the incident was targeted.
Brendan Nugent, 43, of Tarrawingee, was charged late Tuesday with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. He is scheduled to appear in Wangaratta Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Dr. Haines, 65, was hit by a Toyota LandCruiser on Monday afternoon. She underwent emergency surgery at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne, but one of her legs could not be saved. She remains in a critical but stable condition.
According to witness accounts relayed by government ministers, Dr. Haines was at the boot of her car when the four-wheel drive allegedly made a U-turn, struck her, reversed, and hit her again.
Police stated that the incident appears to be isolated and there are no other known threats connected to the matter. A search was conducted at a property on Great Alpine Road in Tarrawingee on Tuesday. Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason noted that there was no recent evidence of Nugent being on authorities' radar prior to the alleged attack.
Counter-terrorism authorities are investigating the incident. The AFP is preparing to increase security briefings for federal parliamentarians, as there has been a reported rise in threats against parliamentarians, high office-holders, and electorate officers in recent years. A task force established in October 2025 to disrupt politically motivated violence has charged 41 people for threatening politicians and higher officials.
Dr. Haines' family, including her husband Phil and children Georgia, Nick, and Will, have been by her side at the hospital. In a statement, Nugent's father, Rod Nugent, and his partner, Christine Cunningham, described Dr. Haines as a friend of over 20 years and called the incident devastating and unfathomable. They expressed gratitude to the community and police who assisted and pledged their full cooperation with the investigation.
Local barber Ricky Jefferies reportedly apprehended Nugent behind the wheel of the LandCruiser before police arrived. A vigil was held in Wangaratta in support of Dr. Haines.