Australian MP Loses Both Legs After Being Hit by Car

Australian MP Helen Haines lost both her legs after being hit by a car earlier this week.

Haines, 65, is an independent MP, meaning she is not affiliated with a political party.

On Monday (19 October), she was hit by a Toyota LandCruiser outside her office in Wangaratta, in the state of Victoria.

She was reportedly struck while retrieving something from the boot of her car.

Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, said the LandCruiser driver allegedly hit her twice.

As a result, Haines’s husband, Phil Haines, said both her legs had to be amputated.

The day after the incident, doctors tried to save her right leg after her left leg had been amputated. However, both legs ultimately had to be removed because of the severity of her injuries.

As of Friday afternoon Melbourne time (23 October), Haines remained in critical condition in hospital.

Who hit her?

Haines was allegedly struck by a man named Brendan Nugent, who appeared in court for the first time last Wednesday (21 October).

In 2019, the 43-year-old praised Haines on social media as “a politician who takes climate change seriously”.

According to ABC News Verify, Nugent appeared to be an environmental activist who frequently posted on social media while taking part in protests. He was also known to have been an active member of the Save Our Strathbogie Forest group.

The group’s president, Bertram Lobert, told the ABC that Nugent had been an active member for about two years before the COVID-19 pandemic, but that he had not heard from him since.

What charges does he face?

Nugent faces a number of charges, including dangerous driving causing serious injury and assaulting a Commonwealth public official.

The maximum penalty for assaulting a Commonwealth public official is 10 years in prison.

Nugent also faces charges relating to the possession and cultivation of cannabis.

Victoria Police said they believed the incident was targeted.

At a press conference on Thursday (22 October), Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said further serious charges relating to the alleged attack on Haines were being considered.

Bush was specifically asked about a possible attempted murder charge.

“That is always a consideration. Of course, we need to find and examine the evidence,” he said.

Police have not confirmed a motive for the incident.

Nugent’s lawyer told the magistrate that his client had mental health issues and that this was his first experience in custody.

“My client suffers from idiopathic transverse myelitis. It is a neurological condition, and he has also suffered a concussion,” the lawyer said.

The lawyer added that Nugent was not currently taking medication, and it was unclear whether he had seen a doctor since his arrest.

Idiopathic transverse myelitis is a spinal cord condition that can cause paralysis, numbness, tingling and sharp pain.

In a statement on Tuesday (20 October), Nugent’s father, Rod Nugent, and his partner, Christine Cunningham, said Haines had been their close friend for more than 20 years.

“We want to express our sincere thanks to members of the local community and the police who came to Helen’s aid yesterday after that shocking and horrific crime,” the statement said.

“We will assist Victoria Police in any way we can.”

They described Monday’s incident as “heartbreaking and difficult to comprehend”.

How is Haines now?

Haines was reported to remain in critical condition at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne.

Health staff were due to provide an update on her condition on Friday afternoon (23 October).

Last Wednesday (21 October), her husband, Phil Haines, said her recovery would be long and difficult.

“But we know she is a fighter. She is a determined person who, with our support and love, will do her very best to recover,” he said.

“And that is what we hope for.”

Violence against Australian politicians is rising

The incident involving Haines has prompted debate about violence against Australian politicians.

The number of threats against MPs has quadrupled since 2020.

According to AFP, 41 people have been charged over offences related to threats against MPs in the past year.

Threats against candidates during the 2025 general election were also recorded at a level 17 per cent higher than during the previous campaign.

Lowy Institute researcher Lydia Khalil said the attack on Haines was “deeply tragic but not surprising”, given Australia’s current political climate.

Khalil said misinformation and an “alarming” collapse in trust were fuelling sharp criticism of political leadership.