An Australian MP hit by a car has had both of her legs amputated, her husband has said.
Helen Haines, 65, was rammed by a vehicle outside her electoral office in Wangaratta, some three hours northeast of Melbourne, on Monday.
Her husband said on Wednesday that doctors amputated the MP’s left leg after she was struck twice by the vehicle and worked for days to save her right, but were ultimately unsuccessful.
Speaking at a news conference, Phil Haines told reporters: “The good news in all this is Helen is alive and she’s stable. That is the most important thing for our family.
“We are grateful and thankful that at this stage, both her heart and her mind are in good shape.”
Phil Haines speaking to the media. Pic: AAP/Reuters
But he added that she faces a challenging recovery.
He said: “Helen’s road to recovery will be long and difficult but we know she is a fighter. She is a determined person who will do her best with our support and love to recover. And that is what we hope for.”
Suspect’s lawyer raises mental health concerns
It came after the suspected attacker appeared in court.
Brendan Nugent, 43, a resident of Tarrawingee, within Haines’ electorate, was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a public official.
He was also charged with cannabis cultivation and possession, court filings show.
Australian independent member of parliament Helen Haines. Pic: Reuters
Haines, an independent MP who has championed causes including climate change and regional housing, remains in a critical condition.
During Nugent’s brief court appearance on Wednesday, his lawyer said his client suffers from a rare neurological condition called idiopathic transverse myelitis and was also being treated for concussion, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Symptoms of the disorder include rapid muscle weakness, sensory loss, pain, and bladder and bowel dysfunction, according to the Cleveland Clinic medical centre.
He added his client had some mental health concerns and it was his first time in custody.
A court sketch shows Brendan Nugent at the Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court. Pic: AAP/Reuters
There was no application for bail and the case was deferred until 4 February. Anti-terrorism police are among the agencies investigating.
Australian Police received no warning of any imminent danger from the alleged attacker, Commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters.
She said: “What I can say is we didn’t have any specific intelligence that would have indicated something as atrocious as happened on Monday afternoon.”
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Haines and her husband.
Pic: AAP/Reuters
Victoria Police Chief Mike Bush added: “Motivation is one of these things that we absolutely need to explore.
“His motivation for this, what we allege is a deliberate attack, is very much a centrepiece of the investigation.”
Haines worked in nursing, midwifery and academia before being elected to parliament in 2019 for the rural seat of Indi, which she retained in both 2022 and 2025.
