One Turn
Man charged after Australian MP Helen Haines struck by car
Brendan Nugent, 43, has been charged with three offenses after independent MP Helen Haines was struck by a vehicle outside her office in Wangaratta, Victoria. Haines lost a leg and remains in critical but stable condition; Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the driver did a U-turn and called it deliberate. The suspect's family said they had known Haines for more than 20 years, and a barber who ran to help her was praised by the prime minister.
Why it matters
The involvement of counterterrorism investigators has raised concern about political violence, which is rare in Australia.
Background
Helen Haines has represented the rural Victorian seat of Indi as an independent since 2019. Police have not given a motive for the attack.
The story so far
- Australian MP Helen Haines critically injured in alleged deliberate car attack
- Man charged after Australian MP Helen Haines struck by car
- Australian MP Helen Haines loses both legs after alleged car attack
- Australian MP Helen Haines loses both legs after alleged car attack
- Australian MP Helen Haines now stable after alleged attack
Sources
- The Guardian ↗Oct 20, 5:18 AM ET
- BBC News ↗Oct 20, 7:25 AM ET
- CBC News ↗Oct 20, 7:39 AM ET
This summary was written automatically from the reporting linked above; follow the sources for the full story. How One Turn works.