Who is Brendan Nugent? Suspect in attack on Australian MP Helen Haines as parents say they are ‘family friends’
The man arrested on suspicion of ramming Australian MP Helen Haines has been identified as an environmental campaigner whose family have been friends with the politician for years.
Dr Haines, 65, was hospitalised in a serious condition and reportedly had a leg amputated after a man struck her with his car and then reversed to hit her a second time in Wangaratta on Monday.
Anti-terrorism police are investigating but yet to establish a motive, as local media identified the 43-year-old man arrested at the scene as Brendan Nugent.
The suspect’s father, Rod Nugent, and his partner, Christine Cunningham, said in a statement that the attack was “devastating and unfathomable”.
“Helen Haines is a deeply respected, valued and much loved member of our local community,” they said on Tuesday.
“Helen has been our friend for more than 20 years and what happened to her yesterday is devastating and unfathomable. All of our love and all of our thoughts are with Helen and her family and friends.
“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.”
Brendan Nugent, 43, was arrested at the scene on Monday after being detained by a witness to the incident, according to Australia’s ABC.
The campaigner, from nearby Tarrawingee, appeared to be a “longtime local” to the Indi electorate that Dr Haines had served since 2019, the broadcaster reported.
Mr Nugent had posted on his social media channels about the environment and politics for some years, and was an active member of the Save Our Strathbogie Forest group.
Online records show he played football for the Wangaratta High School in his youth.
He has claimed since at least 2022 to be living with a disability and in “chronic pain”, and said that despite receiving benefits for his condition, he was “constantly broke” from the associated costs.
He had posted about medicinal cannabis use but it was unclear whether he had used the drug.
