Alleged Attacker of MP Helen Haines Remanded in Custody as Police Weigh Further Charges

Haines’s alleged attacker has neurological condition, says lawyer

Caitlin Cassidy

The man accused of attacking independent MP Helen Haines appeared briefly in Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday and did not apply for bail. Brendan Nugent, 43, will remain in custody until a committal mention scheduled for 4 February.

Magistrate Allison Vaughan noted Nugent’s mental health and neurological concerns, observing it was his first time in custody. His lawyer, Chirag Patel, informed the court that Nugent is suffering from concussion and idiopathic transverse myelitis, a rare neurological condition. Patel added that his client is not on prescribed medication nor withdrawing from substances. Magistrate Vaughan ordered a mental health professional to assess Nugent immediately following the hearing.

Nugent’s hearing concluded within minutes. He appeared in a grey jumper, looking downcast, before being led from the courtroom.

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the agency had no prior intelligence regarding Nugent’s political views or any specific threat to Ms Haines. Speaking alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush, Barrett confirmed the AFP held no intelligence suggesting a threat to the MP.

double quotation markWe didn’t have any specific intelligence that would have indicated something as atrocious as happened on Monday afternoon.

Barrett acknowledged the increasing difficulty of monitoring online communications but stressed the AFP is proactively using technology to gather intelligence. She revealed that national security investigation teams were established late last year to address the rising volume of threats against parliamentarians.

double quotation markThe purpose of setting them up was because of the increasing number of threats and the increasing number of reports that we’re receiving from parliamentarians and from their staff, but also our own proactive intelligence work in terms of identifying and addressing these threats and this type of communication, particularly in the online space.

Barrett disclosed that the AFP is now charging almost one individual every week for targeting Commonwealth parliamentarians or high office holders, citing a convergence of personal grievance, mental health vulnerabilities, and ideological concerns among lone actors.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush confirmed Nugent currently faces three charges: a Commonwealth offence of causing harm to a public official, and two state charges of intentionally causing serious injury and dangerous driving causing serious injury. Bush said police are considering further serious charges, including attempted murder, but emphasized the need for evidentiary support.

double quotation markThat’s always a consideration. Of course, we have to locate and follow the evidence, but this is a very serious and tragic incident, and we will be looking at all serious charges.

But, of course, we have to have the evidence to support those charges.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Tuesday’s police interview with Nugent as “extensive” but said the motive for the alleged attack remains unknown. Speaking on ABC Radio, Albanese highlighted the disproportionate harassment faced by women in politics and called for a recognition that political discourse has become more aggressive.

double quotation markCertainly, it’s a reminder that the world is a more dangerous and divided place than it was a generation ago. But I think that Australians do want to see their politicians be able to go about their business, to be able to get something from the back of their car, for goodness sake.

Tess Ikonomou

Ms Haines remains in a critical condition at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where she has lost one leg. Surgeons operated on Tuesday in an effort to save her other leg. The hospital said a further update would be provided Wednesday afternoon.

The attack has reignited debate over politician safety. Independent Senator David Pocock revealed he has moved house several times since his 2022 election due to security threats against his young family. Meanwhile, independent candidate Tracee Hutchison announced she will not contest the Victorian state election in November, citing a “sustained, organised harassment and bullying campaign” during her previous run.

double quotation markThe verbal harassment I experienced, and that the women my team did, was unlike anything I had anticipated.

Kim Leadbeater, the sister of murdered UK MP Jo Cox, urged Australia to use the moment to reflect on the tone of its politics. Leadbeater, who now holds her late sister’s seat, said the deterioration of public debate is part of a broader societal trend.

double quotation markMaybe for Australia this is your moment to think about what your politics looks like and how we can bring people together [and] find common ground.

double quotation markThings don’t happen in a vacuum and horrendous attacks and incidents like this don’t happen in isolation. They are part of a wider culture around politics and society [and] we all have a role to play in that.

Community support has poured in for Ms Haines. Dozens of flowers and cards, many in her signature orange, have been left at her Wangaratta electoral office, located less than 100 metres from the courthouse. A prayer vigil was held Tuesday evening at St John’s Anglican Church in Wodonga, attended by locals including Dr Lachlan McKeeman, a former trainee of Haines, and Wodonga Mayor Michael Gobel.

double quotation markHelen is a much-loved friend and mentor of mine, and we’ve been advocating for our health service locally. She’s the kind of person that would check in on doctors [to see] if they’re OK after doing a press conference about the cultural issues at the [Albury-Wodonga] hospital.

double quotation markI was gutted when the news came through … she’s a person of incredible integrity.

Wangaratta, a typically quiet regional city, remains in shock. Residents described a palpable sense of disbelief as they laid tributes outside Haines’ shuttered office. The AFP will conduct security briefings for parliamentarians in Canberra on Wednesday as the investigation continues.

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