Helen Haines, the independent federal MP for the Victorian seat of Indi, has had both legs amputated but is in a stable condition after an alleged attack in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon.
The incident happened about 3.35pm and involved a four-wheel drive outside Haines’ electorate office. The 65-year-old underwent surgery at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital and is in a critical but stable condition.
Here’s what we know so far A major investigation is under way into the incident, with Victoria police, the Australian federal police, Asio and counter-terrorism investigators involved.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said Haines was allegedly “attacked” outside her electorate office in Murphy Street, Wangaratta, in northern Victoria.
On Tuesday, it was reported Haines lost one leg and that surgeons were working to save her second. But on Wednesday morning, that leg was also removed. The 65-year-old remained in a stable condition.
Brendan Nugent , a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, was arrested on Monday. He was charged on Tuesday night with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally cause serious injury and the Commonwealth offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
Victoria police confirmed in a statement that they would allege the attack was targeted.
Nugent appeared at the Wangaratta magistrates court on Wednesday morning. The Tarrawingee man did not request bail, and will remain in custody until a committal mention on 4 February.
Magistrate Allison Vaughan noted Nugent had mental health and neurological concerns, and that this was his first time in custody. She asked for a mental health professional to see Nugent immediately after his court appearence. Nugent’s lawyer, Chirag Patel, said his client was not on any prescribed medication and was not withdrawing from any substances. Patel said Nugent was also suffering from concussion and idiopathic transverse myelitis – a rare inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord.
Victoria police’s chief commissioner, Mike Bush, said investigators were considering whether to lodge further charges against Nugent.
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, said witnesses alleged the driver did a “U-turn to get into the car park and to ram Helen against a vehicle, then to reverse and do it a second time”.
The alleged attacker was detained by a bystander, a local barber, after the incident and police said a knife was seized from the car.
Related: Who is Helen Haines, the MP allegedly attacked in Victoria?
The motive for the alleged attack is not yet known.
No one else was being sought by police in relation to the incident.
Albanese said he was not aware of any specific threat to the Indi MP before the incident.
Haines was taken to the Wangaratta hospital immediately after the attack before being airlifted to Melbourne for treatment.
Threats against federal MPs and other high-profile people have been rising. In the 2025-26 financial year, more than 1,060 were recorded by authorities, up from about 950 in the year before.
Leaders across parliament have sent well-wishes to Haines and her family.
Speaking in Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon, Albanese said Haines represented “the best of our political representatives”.
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