Brendan Nugent, the man accused of driving into federal MP Helen Haines, remains in custody on charges including intentionally causing serious injury. Haines, 65, remains in a serious but stable condition at Melbourne's Alfred hospital after losing both legs in the October 19 incident outside her Wangaratta electorate office.
Brendan Nugent, 43, remains in custody after being charged over the incident involving federal MP Helen Haines.
Haines, the independent member for the Victorian seat of Indi, was first elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2022 and 2025.
Victorian and federal police allege the attack outside Haines' Wangaratta electorate office on October 19 was targeted. Nugent has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
Police, including counter-terrorism officers, and ASIO are investigating the incident.
Nugent's father Rod and stepmother Christine Cunningham, a health executive who has worked with Haines, said in a statement they were devastated by the alleged attack on their "close friend of more than 20 years". "We will be assisting Victoria Police in any way we can," they said, thanking members of the local community and police who came to Haines' aid.
During his first court appearance, Nugent's lawyer, Chirag Patel, told a magistrate his client suffered from a rare neurological condition, idiopathic transverse myelitis, and a concussion caused by the accident, but was not on any prescribed medication. Nugent was sent for an urgent mental health assessment by order of the magistrate after he was remanded in custody. He did not apply for bail and is due back in court in February.
On Monday, an orange cardboard cockatoo sat in Haines' vacant seat in the House of Representatives as tearful MPs paid tribute to her decency and shared hopes she would continue her service soon. Her husband, Phil, told those assembled that Haines' first words after waking from surgery were to express concern for her staff and gratitude to first responders.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The attack on a federal MP at her electorate office raises questions about the safety of politicians and the threat of political violence in Australia.
- The investigation will determine whether the incident was premeditated, opportunistic or connected to a dispute, and whether further serious charges follow.
- Haines is a prominent independent who has held the Victorian seat of Indi since 2019; her recovery and any return to public life are significant for the electorate.
Background
Haines was first elected as the independent member for Indi in 2019 and re-elected in 2022 and 2025. On October 19 she was struck by a car outside her Wangaratta office. Witnesses said the driver did a U-turn, struck her and pinned her against her own car, then reversed and struck her again. She lost both legs and remains in hospital. Nugent was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. In his first court appearance, his lawyer said he suffered from a rare neurological condition and a concussion, and the magistrate ordered an urgent mental health assessment. Nugent did not apply for bail.
Key Perspectives
Brendan Nugent: Through two sources familiar with the case, he says he never intended to drive into Haines, had no grudge against her or her politics, and acted out of panic at the scene. He says he previously voted for her.
Victoria Police: Allege the attack was targeted. Chief Commissioner Mike Bush called it a "deliberate" attack, said further serious charges were not ruled out, and confirmed police were examining a theory that it was a "proxy" for a dispute involving Nugent's family.
Nugent's family: His estranged father, Rod, and stepmother, Christine Cunningham, said they were devastated by the alleged attack on Haines, their "close friend of more than 20 years", and would assist police.
What to Watch
- Whether police lay further or more serious charges, and what the investigation into premeditation or any fixation on Haines finds.
- The outcome of the urgent mental health assessment ordered by the magistrate.
- Nugent's next court appearance, scheduled for February.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedNugent remains in custody over the Haines incident.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Nugent was sent for an urgent mental health assessment by order of the magistrate after he was remanded in custody. He did not apply for bail and is due back in court in February.”
- SupportedHaines is 65.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Haines, 65, is in a serious but stable condition at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital”
- SupportedHaines is in serious but stable condition at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Haines, 65, is in a serious but stable condition at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital”
- SupportedHaines lost both legs in the October 19 incident outside her Wangaratta electorate office.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Haines, 65, is in a serious but stable condition at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital after losing both legs in the incident outside her Wangaratta electorate office on October 19.”
- SupportedNugent is accused of driving into Haines and has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Nugent was detained at the scene by passers-by and has since been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.”
- SupportedVictorian and federal police allege the attack was targeted.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Victorian and federal police allege it was a targeted attack on the independent MP by local resident Brendan Nugent.”
- SupportedNugent’s father and stepmother described Haines as their “close friend of more than 20 years”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Nugent’s family, who were estranged from him, said in a statement last week that they were devastated by the alleged attack on Haines, their “close friend of more than 20 years”.”
- SupportedNugent’s father and stepmother said, “We will be assisting Victoria Police in any way we can”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““We will be assisting Victoria Police in any way we can,” said his father, Rod, and stepmother, Christine Cunningham, a health executive who has worked with Haines.”
- SupportedNugent’s lawyer told a magistrate that Nugent had idiopathic transverse myelitis and a concussion caused by the accident, and was not taking prescribed medication.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “During his first court appearance, Nugent’s lawyer, Chirag Patel, told a magistrate his client suffered from a rare neurological condition, idiopathic transverse myelitis, and had a concussion caused by the accident but was not on any prescribed medication.”
- SupportedA magistrate ordered an urgent mental health assessment after Nugent was remanded in custody; he did not apply for bail and is due back in court in February.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Nugent was sent for an urgent mental health assessment by order of the magistrate after he was remanded in custody. He did not apply for bail and is due back in court in February.”
- SupportedOn Monday, an orange cardboard cockatoo sat in Haines’ vacant House of Representatives seat as MPs paid tribute to her and expressed hope she would return to service soon.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “On Monday, an orange cardboard cockatoo sat in Haines’ vacant seat in the House of Representatives as tearful MPs paid tribute to her decency and shared hopes she would continue her service soon.”
- SupportedHaines’ husband said her first words after waking from surgery were concern for her staff and gratitude to first responders.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Her husband, Phil, told those assembled that Haines’ first words after waking from surgery were to express concern for her staff and gratitude to first responders.”