home page
Brendan Nugent charged

Alleged Haines attacker’s anti-Israel posts

Australian politician loses leg in ramming; family friend charged in counter-terror probe.

By TOI STAFF and AGENCIES October 21, 2026, 11:09 am Edit
This frame grab taken from video footage provided by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on October 19, 2026 via AFPTV shows police officers at the scene after Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines was struck by a car and suffered critical injuries outside her office in Wangaratta, about 200 kilometers northeast of Melbourne. (AFP/AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION)
This frame grab taken from video footage provided by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on October 19, 2026 via AFPTV shows police officers at the scene after Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines was struck by a car and suffered critical injuries outside her office in Wangaratta, about 200 kilometers northeast of Melbourne. (AFP/AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

The man alleged to have rammed Independent MP Helen Haines posted extensively on social media against Israel.

Doctors have amputated Haines’ leg after a man rammed her with his car and then reversed to hit her a second time, local media and officials said on Tuesday, in an incident being investigated by anti-terrorism police.

65-year-old Haines was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV on Monday outside her office in her electorate in the city of Wangaratta in Victoria state.

The 43-year-old driver, Brendan Nugent, from nearby Tarrawingee, was charged on Tuesday with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, according to Australian media.

Police believe the attack was targeted, although the motive has yet to be revealed. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has linked it to a climate of ugly, polarised political debate in the country.

You have reached your monthly article limit

You have reached your monthly limit of 3 articles. Do you want to keep reading The Australian Jewish News? Subscribe Now
read more:
comments

Enjoy Unlimited Access To The Australian Jewish News Website And All Our Online Content For AUD$18/month Or Just AUD$120/year.

Subscribe Now
Already have an account? Click here to log in