Circuit Wire — a daily news update from the Circuit.
Australian federal MP Helen Haines, 65, lost both legs after a car struck her outside her electoral office in Wangaratta, Victoria, on Monday, October 19, Al Jazeera reported.
Haines is the independent member for the rural seat of Indi, northeast of Melbourne. Doctors amputated her left leg first. Attempts to save the right leg failed. Her husband, Phil Haines, told a news conference on Wednesday that she is alive and stable.
A 43-year-old man, Brendan Nugent, appeared briefly in court the same day. He faces three charges: dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing injury, and causing harm to a public official. Court filings also list cannabis cultivation and possession.
The driver was held at the scene by a passerby, ITV News reported. Police seized a knife from the Toyota Land Cruiser. A national counter-terrorism team that includes police and intelligence agencies is investigating.
Police have not given a motive. Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason called it an isolated incident and said there was no intelligence of any further or ongoing threat to others. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said officials had no intelligence pointing to a threat against Haines.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on the day of the attack: "This wasn't an accident." He said social media had played a part in rising political tension.
Attacks on politicians are rare in Australia. Concern about abuse and threats against elected officials has grown, however. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said police recorded more than 1,000 threats against politicians in the 2025-26 financial year. Police reported in 2025 that threats against parliamentarians had doubled over three years.
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