Man charged with attack on Australian MP as suspect's father says she is family friend

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1. 1

   Helen Haines (Wikipedia)

   WikipediaChecked Oct 20, 2026

   “Helen Mary Haines (née Carew; born 21 September 1961) is an Australian politician and health researcher who has served as the member of Parliament (MP) for the Victorian division of Indi since 2019. She is a political independent, who has advocated strongly for rural healthcare and housing, the building of resilience against climate change in regional Australia, and the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Before entering politics, she worked in nursing and midwifery services, and as a health researcher in academia, for more than 30 years. On 19 October 2026, Haines was struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta in a deliberate attack, and was taken to hospital with critical injuries.”

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   Man charged with attack on Australian MP as suspect's father says she is family friend

   BBC NewsPublished Oct 20, 2026Checked Oct 20, 2026

   “The community in Wangaratta remains in shock after the alleged attack A 43-year-old man has been charged after Australian MP Helen Haines was hit by a car in the state of Victoria on Monday. The suspect will appear in court on Wednesday to face charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and the federal offence of causing harm to a public official. Local media earlier named the alleged attacker as environmental activist Brendan Nugent. His father and his partner said they had been friends with Haines "for more than 20 years" and thanked residents and officers who helped her after the "shocking and horrific crime". Haines remains in a critical condition after surgery and is reported to have lost one of her legs. "Helen Haines is a deeply respected, valued and much loved member of our local community," Rod Nugent and his partner Christine Cunningham said in a statement. "All of our love and all of our thoughts are with Helen and her family and friends." They promised to assist Victoria Police "in any way we can". Police say they will allege the incident was targeted. Haines, 65, the independent member for Indi, is in a critical but stable condition after undergoing surgery at a Melbourne hospital. Helen Haines sits as an independent MP for the electoral division of Indi in Australia's state of Victoria She was airlifted there after bystanders rushed to help. A local barber who was there says he pulled the suspect out of his car.”

3. 3

   Stalking, harassment, gendered abuse, and violence towards politicians in the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery era.

   Frontiers in psychiatry (Every-Palmer et al.)Published Apr 16, 2024Checked Oct 20, 2026

   “The vast majority of MPs endorsed multiple modalities of harassment occurring on multiple occasions. Ninety-six percent of MPs had been harassed over social media, with over half being threatened, including threats of physical violence (40%), sexual violence (14%), threats made towards MP's family members (19%), threats towards staff (12%), and death threats (27%). Almost all forms of harassment had increased significantly since 2014. Most MPs reported experiencing abuse related to the Government response to the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. lockdowns and vaccine mandates). Many MPs commented that the frequency and intensity of abuse increased markedly during the COVID pandemic and had not subsequently abated. Women were at significantly higher risk of certain types of social media harassment including gendered abuse, sexualised comments, threat of sexual violence, and threats toward their family.ConclusionHarassment of parliamentarians is an escalating issue. Online threats and misogyny are increasingly apparent. This harassment has significant psychosocial costs for victims, their family and staff, and for democratic processes.”