Rihanna Spotted Heading to César Restaurant in Paris After Céline Dion Concert
By Rodrigo Santos Andrade
Haines loses leg; alleged attacker posted about environment and Gaza
visibility comment0 event October 20, 2026 timer 00:29
The independent MP remains in a critical condition after the incident on Monday afternoon. The alleged attacker has been identified as 43-year-old Brendan Nugent.
Helen Haines, the independent federal MP seriously injured in Monday’s attack outside her Wangaratta office, remains in a critical condition, with sources saying she has lost a leg.
Her alleged attacker has been identified as one of her constituents – Brendan Nugent, from nearby Tarrawingee. He is on the electoral roll in her federal seat of Indi, in north eastern Victoria.
Haines had surgery overnight. One leg was massively injured when she was struck, reportedly more than once, by the alleged attacker’s white Toyota Landcruiser. Sources on Tuesday morning said doctors were fighting to save the other leg.
Nugent, 43, is in custody, with authorities interviewing him as they seek to determine a motive. Reportedly, he was too impaired to be interviewed on Monday night, because of the effect of drugs or alcohol.
A bystander at Monday’s events, Cody Lepoidevin, described Nugent’s demeanour after he was pulled from his vehicle as “erratic”, saying he was concerned about the passenger door of his vehicle, his phone and his wallet.
On X, an account appearing to belong to Nugent, an environmental activist, describes him as “Plant Person” and says, “The world should be run by dogs and children”.
Scrutiny of his postings on X, formerly Twitter, show him focused on the environment, particularly native forest logging. He also has been anti-Israel in some posts, and critical of the alliance with the United States and AUKUS.
He has often commented in reply to politicians in relation to issues, including some tweets referring to Haines. His social media posts have often been strong and sometimes rude, but not (as far as one can determine among nearly 11,000 posts since 2014) going to incitement.
Brendan Nugent’s ‘X’ account
Brendan Nugent’s ‘X’ account
Brendan Nugent’s ‘X’ account
Brendan Nugent’s ‘X’ account
Brendan Nugent’s ‘X’ account
In a document some years ago titled “Victorian forestry factsheet; employment, economics and water” which was “Prepared by Brendan Nugent”, he described himself as holding “a Master of Forest Ecosystem Science, The University of Melbourne, Creswick Campus (Victorian School of Forestry)”. He was also listed as a committee member of “the Save Our Strathbogie Forest group”. The document remains on the website of the Rubicon Forest Protection Group.
Those involved in the investigation are the federal and Victorian police, the Joint Counter Terrorism Team, and ASIO.
Politicians across the spectrum lamented the level of political division and intolerance that is poisoning our democracy and encouraging violence.
Asked if security would be increased in the wake of the attack, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “We take the advice of the security agencies, including, of course, the Australian Federal Police. And we act upon that advice. But I never want to lose the opportunity for people to mix with their representatives. That’s a really important part of our democracy.”
ASIO chief Mike Burgess said in a statement:
Victoria Police are working to establish the motivation for this attack, including whether the incident was politically motivated.
When ASIO raised the National Terrorism Threat Level in August 2024, I stated that politically motivated violence had joined espionage and foreign interference as Australia’s principal security concerns.
The National Terrorism Threat Level remains at PROBABLE, but the temperature and trajectory of the security environment are concerning.
Elevated levels of grievance, intolerance and polarisation continue to create a permissive environment of violence.
I have repeatedly put on the record my concern about the use of violent rhetoric in public discourse.
Words matter.
While political differences, debates and peaceful protests are essential parts of a healthy democracy, ASIO has seen direct correlations between inflamed language, inflamed tensions and acts of violence.
Disagreement is okay but acts of violence and intimidation are not – especially against those democratically chosen to represent us.
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Tags: Academic Journalism, The Conversation, The Conversation Academic News
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