Community rallies behind stricken MP Helen Haines in fight for life

Indi MP Helen Haines remains in hospital in a critical condition tonight as doctors fight to save her remaining leg, after she was mowed down twice in what police are investigating as a deliberate act of violence.

Ms Haines was retrieving items from the boot of her car outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday afternoon when she was struck by a Toyota LandCruiser.

Police say the driver of the vehicle was 43-year-old Tarrawingee man Brendan Nugent.

Witnesses said Mr Nugent performed a U-turn to allegedly strike and pin Dr Haines to her RAV4 before then reversing into the 65-year-old again.

Mr Nugent was detained at the scene by bystanders and remains in custody. He has not been charged by police and a motive for the alleged act is yet to be established.

In a tragic twist, it emerged on Tuesday afternoon that Mr Nugent’s father and stepmother were long-time friends of Dr Haines, who has been the member for Indi since 2019.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led tributes to Dr Haines, telling an event in Melbourne that the former nurse and midwife “represents the very best in our political representatives”.

“Kind. Compassionate. A person of integrity totally committed to strongly representing the interests of her regional Victorian community,” Mr Albanese said.

“Helen’s decency means she is respected by all who have the privilege of engaging with her.”

The Prime Minister pleaded with Australians to “turn the heat down”.

“This violent attack is not who we are. It’s very clear from the reports that this was a deliberate act,” he said.

“The motivation is not clear at this point in time but it is clear that this wasn’t just an accident.

“We can have disagreements in a democracy. We can have disagreements without questioning people’s motives or their patriotism.”

Mr Albanese was among a raft of politicians from all sides to call out a political environment of heated rhetoric and rising incivility.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed official reports of harassment against high office holders had surged from 951 to 1067 in the past year. Rape and death threats have become commonplace, particularly against female MPs.

Both the nation’s peak intelligence and law enforcement agencies had warned the rising temperature of debate in Australia could spill over into the real violence.

Australia’s domestic intelligence chief Mike Burgess said counter-terrorism teams were among authorities continuing to investigate the incident and reflected on his repeated warnings for “restraint” in public discourse.

“I have repeatedly put on the record my concern about the use of violent rhetoric in public discourse. Words matter,” Mr Burgess cautioned.

Mr Burgess had warned at his latest annual threat assessment that the inflamed environment was leading offenders to be radicalised within days and often with a mix of ideologies, which made it harder for authorities to pinpoint their motives.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett warned just a fortnight ago that the threat environment was “more complex” that before the Bondi Beach terror attack in December.

Mr Nugent’s commentary online revealed the suspect has a fixation on international affairs and environmental issues. He frequently posted and re-posted anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian material.

Mr Albanese’s calls for respectful debate drew criticism from One Nation leader Pauline Hanson who accused him of hypocrisy given Labor had distributed a “dirt sheet” on Dr Haines just weeks before the incident.

The document was distributed by Labor after the Dr Haines raised questions about “pork barrelling” in the Prime Minister’s seat following the revelation that a golf club of which he is a member received a $6m grant.

“It was just a few weeks ago he’s putting out a dirt sheet on Helen Haines because she questioned about the money going to the Marrickville golf course,” Senator Hanson told News24.

Senator Hanson made a rare mea culpa of her own on Tuesday, when she apologised for a One Nation cartoon which mocked independent Senator Jacqui Lambie for her medical condition.

Independent Curtin MP Kate Chaney said she was devastated by the incident and expressed that she often felt “embarrassed” by the tone of debate in Federal Parliament.

Speaking on ABC Perth radio on Tuesday, Ms Chaney said the Parliament needed to be more cautious with its language.

“When I started in this job, I’d never watched Question Time on telly all the way through, and I sat there on the first day, absolutely horrified,” she said.

“I think it’s a really ugly part of the culture. I think the public hates it. I feel embarrassed every time I look up and see a school group coming into the gallery during Question Time.

“We need to do better. The Australian public has a right to expect better of its leaders.”

Police have launched a major police investigation including Australian Federal Police, ASIO, Victorian Police and the state’s joint-counter terrorism team.

Commissioner Barrett said in a statement on Tuesday that initial investigations indicated it was an “isolated incident” and there were no known, ongoing threats.

Ms Barrett said Victoria Police’s Security Investigation Unit was leading the probe, supported by the Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team.

“Victoria Police and the AFP are working closely together to identify potential charges,” she said.

“Which may include state and Commonwealth offences, such as the offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.”

She said the AFP had regularly publicly outlined concerns about the growing threats against high office holders and undertaken measures to assist their safety.

It has included establishing National Security Investigations (NSI) teams in October last year, which she described as a “flying squad of hate disrupters who focus on high-harm, high-impact politically motivated violence, communal violence and hate crimes”.

“Since the NSI teams were established, 41 individuals have been charged for offences relating to threats against federal parliamentarians and high office holders,” she said.

“The AFP provides regular briefings to parliamentarians about their safety and security, and further briefings will be undertaken soon.

“The AFP’s thoughts are with Dr Haines and her family at this time.”

Floral tributes have been laid outside Dr Haines’ electorate office and the devastated community has held a prayer vigil for her recovery at the Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta’s Clarence Bester.

Among the tributes laid include messages of support, a card from a child and a painting of a dandelion.

Former Australian prime ministers also condemned the alleged attack, with former Liberal PM Scott Morrison saying he was “simply appalled and horrified” and expressed his support for her family and friends.

“Have just returned to Australia this morning to learn of the shocking and reportedly deliberate attack on Dr Helen Haines,” Mr Morrison said.

“I am simply appalled and horrified by this brazen violence.

“Our prayers are with Helen and all those caring for her that she makes a full recovery as well as Phil and all of Helen’s family at this very difficult time.”

Former Labor PM Kevin Rudd echoed his shock and concern for the alleged attack on an Australian politician.

“Political violence has no place in Australia,” Mr Rudd said.

“I am shocked and appalled by the horrific attack. In a democracy, we have every right to disagree with one another.

“But acts of violence against elected officials are unacceptable, unjustifiable and un-Australian.”