Brendan Nugent charged with three offences over alleged attack on MP Helen Haines

Police say the incident was targeted; the independent MP remains in critical condition after losing a leg

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

Victoria Police have charged 43-year-old Brendan Nugent with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official after he allegedly struck independent MP Helen Haines with his vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday. Ms Haines, 65, remains in a critical but stable condition at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne having lost one leg, with surgeons working to save the other. Police allege the attack was targeted.

Brendan Nugent is due to appear in the Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday after being held overnight. Victoria Police confirmed in a statement that officers would allege the incident was targeted, and that a highway patrol officer responded to the scene just eight seconds after emergency services were called.

A search warrant was executed on Tuesday at Nugent's property on Great Alpine Road in Tarrawingee, approximately 15 kilometres east of Wangaratta. Police said the incident appears isolated and there are no other known threats connected to the matter. An enhanced police presence, including members of the Public Order Response Team, remains in Wangaratta.

Nugent's father, Rod Nugent, and his partner, Christine Cunningham, released a statement describing Monday's events as "devastating and unfathomable". They said Ms Haines has been a friend of the family for more than 20 years and is "a deeply respected, valued and much loved member of our local community". They thanked the community and police who came to her aid and said they would assist Victoria Police in any way they can.

Ms Haines, the member for Indi since 2019, suffered critical lower-body injuries when she was pinned between two cars. She was airlifted to Melbourne for emergency surgery. Colleagues and community members have expressed shock and support.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The attack on a sitting federal MP raises serious questions about the safety of elected officials and their staff, particularly those in regional electorates with limited security.
Ms Haines's injuries are life-changing, and the outcome of her treatment will have lasting implications for her political career and for her family and community.
The charging decision under federal law indicates the severity with which authorities view violence against public officials.

Background

Helen Haines was first elected as the independent member for Indi in 2019, succeeding Cathy McGowan. She represents a largely rural electorate in north-east Victoria. Attacks on Australian MPs are rare, but the incident has prompted widespread condemnation across the political spectrum. The maximum penalty for causing harm to a Commonwealth public official is 10 years' imprisonment.

Key Perspectives

Victoria Police: They have laid three charges and allege the attack was targeted. They have increased police presence in Wangaratta but treat the incident as isolated. The Nugent family: They have expressed devastation and said Ms Haines is a long-time friend. They are cooperating fully with police. Parliamentary colleagues and the community: Shock and support for Ms Haines have been the dominant reactions, though no official political responses beyond statements of concern have been reported yet.

What to Watch

The outcome of Ms Haines's surgery and whether doctors can save her second leg.
The court appearance on Wednesday, including any mention of motive or further details of the alleged attack.
Any security review or changes to protective measures for MPs, especially those in regional areas.

Sources

Brendan Nugent facing three charges over alleged attack on MP Helen Haines · Australia news | The Guardian
Police lay three charges against Brendan Nugent over Haines attack · Just In
Brendan Nugent facing three charges over alleged attack on MP Helen Haines · World news | The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 3 sources: 12 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedBrendan Nugent has been charged with three offences over the alleged attack on Helen Haines.Australia news | The Guardian: “Helen Haines’ alleged attacker, Brendan Nugent, has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally cause serious injury and the commonwealth offence of causing harm to a commonwealth public official.”
SupportedThe three charges are dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.Just In: “Detectives tonight charged Mr Nugent with dangerous driving causing serious injury and intentionally causing serious injury. He was also charged with the federal offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official”
SupportedPolice say they will allege the incident was targeted.Australia news | The Guardian: “Victoria police confirmed in a statement, adding that it would be alleged the attack was targeted.”
SupportedNugent allegedly struck Haines with his vehicle outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday.World news | The Guardian: “Victoria police arrested the 43-year-old Tarrawingee man on Monday afternoon after he allegedly struck the independent MP for Indi with a Toyota LandCruiser outside her electorate office in Wangaratta in northern Victoria .”
SupportedNugent is 43, and Haines, 65, is in critical but stable condition after losing one leg, with doctors trying to save the other.World news | The Guardian: “Haines remains in a critical but stable condition after being airlifted to Melbourne’s Alfred hospital for emergency surgery. She has lost one leg and surgeons were fighting on Tuesday to save the other leg.”
SupportedNugent is due to appear in Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday after being held overnight.Australia news | The Guardian: “He will be held overnight to appear at Wangaratta magistrates court on Wednesday”
SupportedA highway patrol officer responded eight seconds after emergency services were called.World news | The Guardian: “one of its highway patrol officers responded to the incident only eight seconds after emergency services were called.”
SupportedPolice executed a search warrant on Tuesday at Nugent’s Great Alpine Road property in Tarrawingee, about 15 kilometres east of Wangaratta.Just In: “On Tuesday officers searched Mr Nugent's Tarrawingee home, roughly 15 kilometres east of the rural city of Wangaratta.”
SupportedPolice say the incident appears isolated and there are no other known threats connected to it.World news | The Guardian: “At this stage it appears this is an isolated incident, and there are currently no other known threats connected to this matter.”
SupportedNugent’s father and his partner described Monday’s events as “devastating and unfathomable”.Just In: “Mr Nugent's father Rod Nugent and Rod's partner Christine Cunningham said Ms Haines had been their friend for more than 20 years and Monday's events were "devastating and unfathomable".”
SupportedNugent’s father and his partner called Haines “a deeply respected, valued and much loved member of our local community”.Just In: “"Helen Haines is a deeply respected, valued and much loved member of our local community," the statement said.”
SupportedPolice say an enhanced presence, including the Public Order Response Team, remains in Wangaratta.World news | The Guardian: “Victoria Police will continue to maintain an enhanced presence in Wangaratta, including members from the Public Order Response Team who have deployed to the area.”