Accused LandCruiser driver who ‘rammed MP Helen Haines outside her office and severed her leg’ is charged

A man accused of striking independent MP Helen Haines with his vehicle in an allegedly targeted life-threatening attack outside her electorate office is facing multiple charges.

Police late on Tuesday charged Tarrawingee man Brendan Nugent, 43, with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally cause serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.

He will face Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

‘Police will allege the incident was targeted,’ Victoria Police said in a statement.

Dr Haines was hit by a Toyota LandCruiser outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, northern Victoria, on Monday afternoon.

She underwent emergency surgery at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne but one of her legs could not be saved.

The 65-year-old remains in a critical but stable condition.

A nearby highway patrol unit was on the scene within eight seconds of the call coming through, police said.

Officers searched a property on Great Alpine Road in Tarrawingee, near Wangaratta, on Tuesday.

‘At this stage it appears this is an isolated incident, and there are currently no other known threats connected to this matter,’ police said.

In a statement, his father Rod Nugent and Rod’s partner Christine Cunningham said Dr Haines had been their friend for more than 20 years.

‘What happened to her yesterday is devastating and unfathomable,’ they said.

‘We would like to sincerely thank members of the local community and police who came to Helen’s aid yesterday after the shocking and horrific crime. We will be assisting Victoria Police in any way we can.

‘Helen Haines is a deeply respected, valued and much loved member of our local community.’

The 65-year-old was at the boot of her car when the four-wheel drive allegedly made a U-turn, hit her, reversed and hit her again, according to witness accounts relayed by government ministers.

Dr Haines’ husband Phil, daughter Georgia and sons Nick and Will were seen briefly emerging from the hospital on Tuesday afternoon, where they have been at her bedside.

Nugent had reportedly been apprehended behind the wheel of the LandCruiser by local barber Ricky Jefferies, who says the driver had a knife, before police arrived to detain him. 

Back in town, locals crowded a church for a vigil in support of Dr Haines.

In the neighbouring federal electorate of Nicholls, Nationals MP Sam Birrell said he had tried to stick to business as usual.

‘I still went to the two country towns to speak to the grade 6’s at the primary school. I walked down the street to catch up with some businesses,’ he told AAP.

‘(I) was probably more aware of my surroundings, a little bit more than I had been.’

Counter-terrorism authorities are investigating the incident.

There was no recent evidence Nugent was on authorities’ radar before the alleged attack, Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason said on Tuesday.

It appeared to be a standalone incident with no enduring danger, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said.

Federal and Victorian police have briefed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, along with Victorian Premier Ben Carroll.

The AFP is gearing up to deliver more security briefings to federal MPs after reporting a rise in threats against parliamentarians, high office-holders and electorate officers in recent years.

A task force to disrupt high-impact, politically motivated violence and similar potential crimes has already charged 41 people for threatening politicians and higher-ups since being established in October 2025, according to the agency.