Man charged with attack on Australia MP to face court

Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, The community in Wangaratta remains in shock after the alleged attack.

• Our worst nightmare': Threats to Australian politicians were rising before MP hit by carPublished20 hours ago.

Publicado em 20 de outubro de 2026, 12:25 BST.

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.

A mídia local já havia identificado o suposto agressor como o ativista ambiental Brendan Nugent. O pai dele e sua parceira disseram que eram amigos de Haines “for more than 20 years” e agradeceram aos moradores e aos policiais que a ajudaram após o crime “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.

Todo o nosso amor e todos os nossos pensamentos estão com Helen e sua família e amigos.

They promised to assist Victoria Police "in any way we can.

Police say they will allege the incident was targeted.

Haines, 65, o membro independente de Indi, está em estado crítico, porém estável, após ter sido submetido a cirurgia em um hospital de Melbourne.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, 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.

Um barbeiro local que estava lá diz que tirou o suspeito do carro.

Não acho que sou um herói. Acho que era apenas uma pessoa que teve uma oportunidade de intervir de forma relativamente segura," disse Ricky Jefferies.

Others who helped "didn't even check for danger", he added. "The car was still on and they sat in front of a rolling car, that's not an exaggeration.

In their statement, Victoria Police say a highway patrol unit was nearby at the time of the incident and "on scene" within eight seconds of the call coming through.

As they announced the charges against the 43-year-old, they said they had searched a property in Tarrawingee, around 12km (7. 5 miles) from Wangaratta.

Neste momento, parece que se trata de um incidente isolado, e atualmente não há outras ameaças conhecidas ligadas a este assunto," disseram, acrescentando que os oficiais manteriam presença em Wangaratta.

Haines won the seat of Indi as an independent in 2019, and has since become a prominent member of the crossbench, building rapport across Australia's increasingly divided political spectrum.

A comunidade, e o país, permanecem em choque.

At a vigil on Tuesday, locals queued patiently in the aisle of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, waiting for their turn to light a candle. Priests hugged some of those who came to pay their respects.

Wangaratta's main street, where Haines's office is located, had reopened to traffic. Cars slowly filed past the growing number of bouquets being left for her on the pavement.

Um cartão dizia: 'Que você se recupere rapidamente e continue sendo uma luz neste mundo.

Shock and disbelief: How the attack on an Australian MP unfolded.

What we know about Australian MP hit by car in apparent deliberate attack.

Em números

• Es against the 43-year-old, they said they had searched a property in Tarrawingee, around 12km (7