The Alfred hospital in Melbourne said on Saturday, 24 October, that Haines, 65, was in a serious but stable condition after being critical earlier. Surgeons tried to save her right leg on Tuesday, 20 October, but both legs were amputated.
Police charged Brendan Nugent, 43, from Tarrawingee, on Tuesday, 20 October, with dangerous driving causing serious injury and intentionally causing serious injury. He did not apply for bail at his Wangaratta court appearance on Wednesday, 21 October.
In a post on Friday, 23 October, Haines's staff said they were working to reopen her electorate offices next Thursday, 29 October, and thanked the community for its support.
The family asked for donations to Save the Children Australia instead of flowers. One report put the total above A$730,000, while ABC reported about A$1 million.
Helen Haines, 65, the independent federal MP for the rural Victorian seat of Indi, was hit by a car on Monday, 19 October, shortly after 3:30pm local time in Wangaratta, outside her electorate office. Police allege the driver acted deliberately. She was flown to Melbourne, and surgeons tried to save her right leg on Tuesday, 20 October, before both legs were amputated. On Saturday morning, 24 October, the Alfred hospital described her as in a serious but stable condition, an improvement on the critical status reported earlier.
Police charged Brendan Nugent, 43, from nearby Tarrawingee, on Tuesday, 20 October, with dangerous driving that caused serious injury and with intentionally inflicting serious injury. He also faces an offence under federal law for harming a Commonwealth public official. Police have since added charges of cultivating and possessing cannabis, according to court documents. Nugent appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 21 October, and did not apply for bail. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attack had been aimed at injuring Haines. The motive has not been made public, and authorities have declined to comment on it while the investigation continues.
Her husband, Phil Haines, gave an update at the Alfred on Wednesday, 21 October, and described her as a deeply caring person whose strengths go beyond her physical recovery.
“She is a very compassionate, caring, loving person.”
He also spoke about her intellect.
“She has the sharpest intellect.”
Her staff posted on her social media accounts on Friday, 23 October, saying they were working to reopen the electorate offices next Thursday, which falls on 29 October. The family asked supporters to donate to Save the Children Australia rather than send flowers. One report puts the total above A$730,000, while ABC reports about A$1 million.
Flowers and messages have been left outside Haines's office in Wangaratta, a town of about 20,000 people, and candlelight vigils have been held in several places across the country. The attack has prompted wider discussion of how political debate is conducted and of mental health services in regional Victoria. Separately, Western Australia police said on Thursday, 22 October, that they had charged a 56-year-old man with threatening behaviour at the electorate office of Labor MP Hannah Beazley. Police said the man was detained on Wednesday, 21 October, after allegedly making threats and brandishing a pair of nunchakus. Police have recorded a steady increase in threats and violence against elected representatives over several years.
The case against Nugent is at an early stage, with charges laid on Tuesday, 20 October, and no bail sought at his first court appearance the following day. Haines's staff plan to reopen her electorate offices next Thursday, 29 October, and said the team would take time to look after itself while she recovers. Their post said healing will take time and asked for understanding in the days and weeks ahead. Her condition remains serious but stable, according to the hospital's most recent update on Saturday, 24 October.
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Independent MP Helen Haines is in serious but stable condition at Melbourne's Alfred hospital, five days after a car struck her outside her Wangaratta electorate office. Police allege the driver deliberately targeted her, and he has been charged.
AI text based on reports by The Independent, Notícias ao Minuto, Bloomberg Business and other publishers. Published .