Australian independent MP Helen Haines has had both legs removed after a car allegedly struck her in a targeted attack outside her Wangaratta office, while the accused appeared in court and investigators continued looking for a motive.
Haines, who is 65, was struck twice by a vehicle on Monday, October 19. Her husband said surgeons removed her left leg that day. He said they removed her right leg on Wednesday after attempts to save it failed.
He said she was alive and stable, although she remained critically injured and faced a long recovery. The accused, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, appeared in Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. He faced five charges: three related to the alleged attack and two involving cannabis.
He did not ask the court to release him on bail. The court kept him in custody, and his case was scheduled to return to court on February 4, 2027. Police allege the attack was targeted.
Anti-terrorism officers are among the agencies investigating. Authorities have not established a motive. They have not reported earlier intelligence indicating a specific threat to Haines.
Police have described the incident as isolated while their investigations continue. Haines has represented the regional seat of Indi as an independent since 2019.