Helen Haines loses both legs in alleged car attack, husband praises ‘fighter’ wife
The husband of Helen Haines has confirmed the federal MP has had her second leg amputated but remains in a stable condition, as her accused attacker faced court for the first time and was kept behind bars.
The accused, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, has been described as a recluse who resides on a rural property just minutes from where he allegedly rammed the member for Indi in Wangaratta on Monday night.
Phil Haines has called for charity donations over flowers. Eamon Gallagher
Haines was airlifted to hospital in Melbourne in a critical condition to undergo emergency surgery.
Nugent was charged the next day with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, which is a federal offence.
On Wednesday, Phil Haines gave an emotional press conference where he confirmed his wife had lost both her legs.
“We had been hoping that her right leg would be saved, but as of this morning, the surgeons had to also remove her right leg,” he said.
“But the good news in all this is that Helen is alive, and she’s stable, that is the most important thing for our family.”
Phil asked well-wishers to support his wife by donating to Save the Children rather than sending flowers.
“She is a fighter. She is a determined person who will do her best with our support and love to recover,” he said.
“She loves flowers, but it’s a bit difficult to look after many bunches of flowers.
“We will ask people if they would like to support Helen to make a donation to the Save the Children Fund.”
Independent member for Indi, MP Helen Haines at her office. Simon Dallinger
Earlier in the day, Nugent fronted Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court, where he made no application for bail.
During the brief appearance, the court heard details regarding Nugent’s medical background, including that he was suffering from a concussion as well as idiopathic transverse myelitis.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the neurological condition causes inflammation of the spinal cord, leading to sharp pain, altered sensations, limb weakness, and bladder or bowel dysfunction.
Nugent will remain behind bars for at least the next 100 days, with the matter adjourned for a committal hearing in Wangaratta on February 4.
‘We can’t just police our way out’
Parliamentarians across the political spectrum have voiced heightened concerns about safety and targeted violence against elected officials.
Senators and MPs, including Allegra Spender and Matt Canavan, emphasised that while engaging with the public remains a core duty of politicians, it should not come at the cost of their own safety.
Pocock revealed that he has had to move houses due to fears the address had become public knowledge. Alex Ellinghausen
Independent ACT Senator David Pocock also revealed he was forced to move homes due to concerns his personal address had become public knowledge.
“We’ve got to make sure we get out there and see people, hear people, listen to people,” Canavan said.
He noted that staff in regional electorate offices like Haines’ are often on the “front lines.”
Spender warned that simply increasing security measures would not resolve what she views as a broader cultural shift.
“Frankly, we can’t just police our way out of this,” she said.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn comforts Phil Haines as they provide an update on the member for Indi. 9News
“I think as a nation we need to collectively look in the mirror.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Governor-General Sam Mostyn as she called for calm while standing alongside Dr Haines' husband.
“This violent attack on a much-loved and respected sitting member of our federal parliament must be a moment for us to pause and to choose to be better,” Mostyn said.
“We don’t have to all agree, but we can wrestle the issue, not the person, just as Helen has done throughout her time in parliament.”
Mostyn urged the nation to take inspiration from the independent MP’s dedicated approach to public service and community leadership.
“Most importantly, that we learn or relearn to exercise our muscle of decency,” she said.
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