Helen Haines attack: Suspect Brendan Nugent charged as police allege incident was targeted

ASIO Director-General of Security Mike Burgess has shared his concerns following the attack on Indi MP Helen Haines, warning rising intolerence and polarisation are contributing to the nation’s securty worries.

In a statement realsed on Tuesday, Mr Burgess offered his well wishes to Ms Haines, her loved ones and first responders.

“I acknowledge the horrific attack on Helen Haines and our thoughts are with Helen, her family and loved ones, and also those who responded yesterday,” Mr Burgess said.

“Victoria Police are working to establish the motivation for this attack, including whether the incident was politically motivated.”

Mr Burgess said the national security threat level remains unchanged, but warned of growing concerns.

“The National Terrorism Threat Level remains at PROBABLE, but the temperature and trajectory of the security environment are concerning,” he added.

“Elevated levels of grievance, intolerance and polarisation continue to create a permissive environment of violence.

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

“While political differences, debates and peaceful protests are essential parts of a healthy democracy, ASIO has seen direct correlations between inflamed language, inflamed tensions and acts of violence.

“Disagreement is okay but acts of violence and intimidation are not – especially against those democratically chosen to represent us.”

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The driver who allegedly rammed Independent MP Helen Haines outside her Victorian electorate has been identified as Brendan Nugent.

The 43-year-old man was arrested on Monday after allegedly ramming the Indi MP about 3.35pm.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told ABC RN that the accused had performed a U-turn to allegedly ram Dr Haines with his four-wheel-drive before then reversing “to do it a second time”.

The Nightly has confirmed the accused was known to police.

Dr Haines, who has been the member since 2019, had been retrieving items from the boot of her car at the time of the alleged attack.

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Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says she has received regular “rape and death threats” and warned “threats of violence have gone through the roof” during her time in Federal Parliament.

Speaking to Sunrise in the wake of the alleged attack on Indi MP Helen Haines on Monday afternoon, the Labor frontbencher said the threats were a constant “worry”.

“The threats of violence have gone through the roof. Rape and death threats are regular,” she said.

“It’s a worry for the person, for their family, but it is a terrible thing for our democracy because it stops great people wanting to do the work.

“It’s so important for our democracy that things like this don’t happen.

“The one thing about being a parliamentarian in Australia is people stop me at the supermarket or talk to me at the kids’ sport and we can agree or disagree.

“This sort of attack is horrific for Helen and her community, but it is a terrible thing for our democracy if politicians have to separate themselves from the public.”

Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume says Australia’s democracy would be “weaker” and “poorer” if politicians can’t able to be accessible to their communities.

Senator Hume said the alleged attack on Helen Haines had prompted her to reflect with family and speak with her colleagues, especially female politicians, about their safety.

“It’s just an extraordinary incident. I’ve spoken to members of my family just in the last 12 hours alone,” she told ABC RN breakfast.

“And I’ve spoken to a number of colleagues, particularly female colleagues, about how confronting this is.

“It’s one of those things that I think perhaps stays in the back of your mind.

“But at the same time, the accessibility of our parliamentarians is one of the great strengths of Australia’s democracy.

“Our doors should always be open. We would hate to have to lose that.”

Senator Hume spoke about the opportunity for a Jewish man to speak to her about the persecution and intimidation he had been experiencing after meeting her on a train as she was returning from a recent dentist appointment with no security.

“One of the things I most enjoy about being a parliamentarian is the fact that I can be so close to the people I represent,” the Victorian Senator said.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly rammed twice in the car park outside her Victorian electorate office.

The Labor frontbencher said the 43-year-old accused man had performed a U-turn to allegedly ram Dr Haines with his four-wheel-drive before then reversing “to do it a second time”.

“What witnesses have described is the driver doing a U-turn to get into the car park and to ram Helen against a vehicle, then to reverse and do it a second time,” Mr Burke told RN radio on Tuesday.

“A bystander ran towards the scene, got the driver out of the vehicle and held the driver until police arrived. And I think every Australian is grateful for those moments when a hero like this runs towards the most dangerous place.”

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had also described the U-turn and said it was “very clear” it “was aimed at causing harm to Helen”.

Tasmanian independent Senator Jacqui Lambie has expressed her support for Helen Haines after she was allegedly struck by a car outside her electoral office in regional Victoria on Monday afternoon.

“I echo the sentiments of my colleagues when I say that Helen Haines is truly the best of us,” Senator Lambie said.

“My heart goes out to Helen’s family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

“We are all praying for her speedy recovery.”

It comes after Senator Lambie on Monday raised concern about her depiction in Pauline Hanson’s satire “Please Explain” cartoon.

The controversial One Nation cartoon had mocked the independent’s health condition in its latest episode by depicting her saying: “I can’t laugh because of my prolapsed vagina”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson and fellow independent Senator David Pocock were among a raft of politicians to support Senator Lambie while Senator Hanson told her to “get over it”.

House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick has labelled the alleged attack on Helen Haines a “tragic, tragic day for Australia”.

He said Dr Haines was a “much loved” member of both her community but also “deeply respected” in the chamber at Parliament.

Mr Dick insisted no politician going about their day should be under threat and called for the nation to “lower the temperature”.

“I think it’s a terrible day when this sort of violence occurs,” he told RN radio on Tuesday.

“Obviously, we’re waiting for those investigations to occur (to know) the motivation behind this attack.

“But any Australian, I think, would be horrified about what they saw last night.

“We need to lower the temperature.”

Opposition leader Angus Taylor says it is important that politicians were able to go out in their community who they seek to represent safely.

He said going to events, cafes, sport and schools without security is not a luxury elected representatives have in other countries and insisted Australia must protect that.

“I’ve been able to represent my constituents and other Australians by getting out and about walking down the main streets in our towns through our airports without security,” he said.

“That’s one of the great aspects of our country.

“When I speak to friends from other countries, they are always amazed that we are able to do that. We must protect this.

“We must cherish this and we must nurture the great institutions that have made our country.”

Opposition leader Angus Taylor said attacks on politicians “cannot be normalised” and has called for Australians to resolve differences through debate not violence.

Speaking in Sydney on Tuesday after independent Victorian MP Helen Haines was allegedly struck by a four-wheel-drive yesterday afternoon.

The Liberal leader described it as a “dark day for our nation” and the alleged attack “unAustralian” called for everyone to protect the country’s democracy.

“Our nation cannot become a place where these kinds of acts are normalised,” Mr Taylor said.

He said was “absolutely united” with Prime Minister Anthony Alabense against violence to elected representatives.

Lobal barber and father-of-three Ricky Jefferies has recounted the moment he rushed to help Helen Haines, revealing he threw away a knife the suspect was carrying in his pocket.

Mr Jefferies, who has been hailed a “hero” by Anthony Albanese, said he saw an opporunity to help someone in the community and launched into action.

“I don’t think that I’m a hero, I think I just was a person who had an opportunity to intervene in a safe-ish sort of way,” he told the ABC.

“He did have a knife, he didn’t pull it out, I just wasn’t comfortable with his movements.

“I basically just took it out of his pocket and threw it away.”