Federal politician Dr Helen Haines remains in a critical condition in a Melbourne hospital and has undergone a leg amputation following a violent attack outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon.
Witnesses have described how a white Toyota LandCruiser allegedly performed a U-turn before striking the 65-year-old grandmother. Dr Haines was allegedly pinned against another vehicle before the LandCruiser reversed and allegedly struck her a second time.
Victoria Police have confirmed a 43-year-old Tarrawingee man was taken into custody about 3.40pm on Monday after initially being restrained by a member of the public.
The man has since been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and the Commonwealth offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
He was remanded in custody and is due to appear before Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Alleged attacker identified as Brendan Nugent
Earlier on Tuesday, the accused man was identified in media reports as Brendan Nugent.
His family later released a statement responding to the incident.
“Helen Haines is a deeply respected, valued and much-loved member of our local community,” Rod Nugent and Christine Cunningham said.
“Helen has been our friend for more than 20 years and what happened to her yesterday is devastating and unfathomable.
“All of our love and all of our thoughts are with Helen and her family and friends.”
The family said they would assist police in any way they could.
Politicians call for people to “lower the temperature” of public debate
The attack has prompted state and federal politicians to call for greater civility in public debate.
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said he had written to all parties represented in the Western Australian Parliament and asked them to consider the issue at an upcoming meeting on security for elected representatives.
“Everyone has the right to live free from the fear of violence, at work, at home, and in our community, and that right is universal,” Premier Cook said.
“As Premier, I want to say that we will do everything we can in Western Australia to keep our people safe and ensure community advocates and elected representatives can carry out their roles safely.”
Federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie told News24 that social media was contributing to the increasingly hostile political environment.
“I think our political climate is hotter than it was 15 years ago,” Hastie said.
“Social media is a fuel to that political climate. It keeps it overheated and people respond very emotionally and reflexively.”
Speaking on the ABC, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said she was concerned about increasing threats against female politicians.
“I think in the last 18 months to two years the political temperature has been significantly elevated, much hotter than I have ever experienced in my career,” Gallagher said.
“I think it happens across the board, for both men and women, but the nature of the threats towards women is often much more sexualised and focused on the harm that can be inflicted by perpetrators.”
Police have not publicly linked the alleged attack on Dr Haines to broader political tensions, and a motive has not yet been established.
Pauline Hanson backtracks on comments about Jacqui Lambie
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has backtracked on comments she made about independent senator Jacqui Lambie.
Hours before the incident involving Dr Haines, Senator Hanson had brushed off criticism of the latest episode of her Please Explain cartoon series, which mocked Senator Lambie’s discussion of a prolapsed vagina and related health issues.
On Monday, Senator Hanson defended the cartoon as satire.
“It’s satire. Take a chill pill,” Senator Hanson said, suggesting Senator Lambie needed to “lighten up”.
In a statement shared on social media, Senator Lambie said the cartoon trivialised reproductive health issues experienced by women across Australia.
She has previously said the condition stemmed from injuries sustained during her military service.
On Tuesday, Senator Hanson said she had not seen the completed video before it was published.
“The video went up without my actually seeing it and I was not aware of the content of the video,” Senator Hanson told News24.
She said she had asked the creator to amend the episode.
“I’ve asked him to change it and be more respectful.
“I respect people’s views and opinions and it wasn’t as tastefully done as it could have been.
“I do apologise for that.”
