The man accused of deliberately running down Independent MP Helen Haines has faced court for the first time.
Tarrawingee man Brendan Nugent, 43, remained quiet during his brief appearance in Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning.
It's alleged he intentionally struck Haines with his Toyota LandCruiser outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, northern Victoria, on Monday afternoon.
The 65-year-old federal MP underwent emergency surgery at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne that night but one of her legs could not be saved.
She remained in a critical but stable condition.
In an update on Wednesday, Haines' husband Phil told reporters outside The Alfred Hospital that the MP had also lost her right leg.
"What took place on Monday was a horrendous incident and, as you know, caused Helen significant injuries," he said.
"As a result of that, Helen's left leg was amputated on Monday. We had been hoping that her right leg would be saved but as of this afternoon or morning, surgeons had to also remove her right leg."
After a pause, Phil Haines continued: "But the good news in all this is Helen is alive and she's stable. That is the most important thing for our family."
He thanked hospital staff and the wider community for their support in the aftermath of the incident.
"We’ve had thousands upon thousands of messages of love and support, and I can only say how much a difference that makes to all of us, so I thank all those people for what they are doing, and I ask them to keep doing it.
"Helen’s road to recovery will be long and difficult but we know she is a fighter. She is a determined person who will do her best with our support and love to recover, and that is what we hope for."
Nugent was charged late on Tuesday with dangerous driving causing serious harm, intentionally causing serious harm and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
His lawyer Chirag Patel told the court it was the 43-year-old's first time in custody.
Man accused of deliberately ramming his car into independent MP appeared in court on multiple charges. (Source: 1News)
Nugent suffered from the neurological condition idiopathic transverse myelitis but otherwise had not been diagnosed with any mental health conditions, Patel said.
The condition is a rare disorder caused by inflammation of the spinal cord.
The lawyer asked for Nugent to be seen by a medical practitioner as he was suffering from concussion.
Nugent did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to face court again in February.
A deliberate attack
The targeted attack on Helen Haines was a chilling reminder of the threats faced by MPs. (Source: 1News)
Earlier on Wednesday, Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush told reporters he believed the incident was a deliberate but isolated act.
Authorities were not ruling out further serious charges, including one of attempted murder, he added.
There was nothing to suggest Nugent was part of the so-called "sovereign citizen" movement, Bush said, but police were not ruling it out while they trawl the accused's history and online presence.
There was no intelligence to suggest the 43-year-old might carry out the alleged attack, he said.
A joint counter-terrorism task force combining Victorian and federal police, and spy agency ASIO are investigating the incident.
"The shocking alleged attack yesterday is what many had been dreading for some time," Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said.
"I hope that this terrible event, that will forever change the life of the member for Indi and her family, gives our country time to pause and reflect on the growing threats and unlawful behaviour against those who hold a Commonwealth office.
"The current criminal threat environment is febrile."
Bush said additional security preparations were being made in the lead-up to Victoria's November state election.
ASIO, the Australian Federal Police and Home Affairs Department will also brief MPs and senators on security later in the day.
Those bodies have held six such briefings for politicians in 2026, having warned politicians for years about a surge in violent rhetoric and threats against their physical safety.
Accused attacker's family reveal 20-year friendship with Haines
Tarrawingee man Brendan Nugent, 43, faces charges after allegedly striking the federal independent MP with his car. (Source: Nine)
The accused's father, Rod Nugent, and Rod's partner Christine Cunningham on Tuesday revealed they had been friends with Haines for more than 20 years.
"What happened to her yesterday is devastating and unfathomable," they said in a statement.
Heightened rhetoric in the halls of parliament and online echo chambers have helped to create an environment where threats of violence have become commonplace for politicians.
A major concern facing regional MPs is whether access for remote voters will be hampered in the immediate future.
National Party MP Sam Birrell, whose electorate of Nicholls neighbours Haines' seat of Indi, regularly attends community events.
"What we do is we go and set up a mobile office in a town a long way away from here and advertise that we're going to be there," Birrell told AAP.
"Whether that becomes problematic or not, I know that's a discussion that some of my regional colleagues are having.
"I don't want this to be the end of MPs... going out and engaging."
In the face of hostile social media discourse, Birrell said he had received support from his community.
"One lady dropped a plant off, just a small pot plant for me, and a note just to just to see if I was OK," he said.
"There are people who see us as a group of people trying to do our best.
"I'm not really thinking too much about myself. I'm thinking about my friend Helen."
SHARE ME