FAULTLINEGlobal event monitor The world todayAll situations

Unrest & politics · Unrest · Impact 2 Notable

Australian MP Helen Haines in serious but stable condition after alleged attack that cost her both legs

· ≈ Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia · confirmed by 2 outlets

Independent MP Helen Haines's condition has been downgraded to serious but stable after she lost both legs following an alleged attack near her electorate office in north-east Victoria on Monday. The Alfred hospital in Melbourne gave the update on Saturday.

Location
≈ Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia · Australia live map
Coordinates
≈ 36.36°S 146.31°E
Reported
24 Oct 2026, 00:41 UTC
Category
Unrest & politics · Unrest
Impact
2 of 5 · Notable
Situation
Australia politics

Australia politics right now

■ Steady

MP Helen Haines loses both legs after alleged car attack in Wangaratta

Independent MP Helen Haines lost both legs after being struck by a car outside her Wangaratta electorate office in Victoria. The alleged attacker, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, faces multiple charges and has appeared in court. A joint counter-terrorism taskforce is investigating, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday it 'wasn't an accident'.

  • Haines was in critical condition in Melbourne after the Monday incident.
  • Emergency services attended the scene on Monday afternoon.
Updated 21 Oct 2026, 18:40 UTC · Written by Claude from the reports on this page and on the map. Check the linked sources for full details.

More from Australia politics