Haines loses leg; police charge alleged attacker

Helen Haines, the independent federal MP seriously injured in Monday’s attack outside her Wangaratta office, remains in a critical condition, with sources saying she has lost a leg.

Her alleged attacker has been identified as one of her constituents – Brendan Nugent, from nearby Tarrawingee.

He is on the electoral roll in her federal seat of Indi, in north eastern Victoria.

Haines had surgery overnight.

One leg was massively injured when she was struck, reportedly more than once, by the alleged attacker’s white Toyota Landcruiser.

Sources on Tuesday morning said doctors were fighting to save the other leg.

Nugent, 43, is in custody, with authorities interviewing him as they seek to determine a motive.

Reportedly , he was too impaired to be interviewed on Monday night, because of the effect of drugs or alcohol.

A bystander at Monday’s events, Cody Lepoidevin, described Nugent’s demeanour after he was pulled from his vehicle as “erratic”, saying he was concerned about the passenger door of his vehicle, his phone and his wallet.

On X , Nugent, an environmental activist, describes himself as “Plant Person” and says, “The world should be run by dogs and children”.

Scrutiny of his postings on X, formerly Twitter, shows him focused on the environment, particularly native forest logging.

He also has been anti-Israel in some posts, and critical of the alliance with the United States and AUKUS.

He has often commented in reply to politicians in relation to issues, including some tweets referring to Haines.

His social media posts have often been strong and sometimes rude, but not (as far as one can determine among nearly 11,000 posts since 2014) going to incitement.