'Family friend' charged with car ramming attack on Australian MP

LAST UPDATE | 20 Oct

AUSTRALIAN POLICE HAVE charged a man over what they alleged was a “targeted” attack with a vehicle on independent lawmaker Helen Haines.

The man named by local media as Brendan Nugent remains in custody and will face court on Wednesday, police said. A statement from the accused man’s family said that Haines has been a long-time friend of the family.

Haines is fighting for her life in a hospital in Melbourne after being struck on Monday near her office in the town of Wangaratta, just over 200 kilometres northeast of the Victoria state capital.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led an outpouring of support for Haines, who was widely praised for her efforts to increase transparency in politics and crack down on corruption.

The independent lawmaker (65) was getting things from the boot of her car when she was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser on Monday afternoon.

The driver had made a U-turn to get back to her after passing, Albanese said on Tuesday.

“It’s clear this was a deliberate act,” he said.

Political violence is rare in Australia, but law enforcement has documented a steady rise in threats and abuse directed towards the nation’s elected officials in recent years.

Albanese said the attack was a “test of our character” and led an outpouring of support for Haines, widely praised for her efforts to increase transparency in politics and crack down on corruption.

National broadcaster ABC and The Sydney Morning Herald said that she had lost a leg, with reports indicating she was fighting to keep the other.

The 43-year-old male driver of the vehicle has been identified by Australian media and was reportedly known to police.

He was charged on Tuesday evening with dangerous driving causing serious injury and intentionally causing serious injury, as well as the federal crime of harming a public official, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

“Police will allege the incident was targeted,” Victoria police said.

The man will appear in court in Wangaratta on Wednesday, they said.

A statement released by the charged man’s parents said Haines had been their friend for more than two decades and described Monday’s events as “devastating and unfathomable”, The Age newspaper reported.

“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,” the statement said.

‘Hero’ barber

Ricky Jefferies had only a split second to react when he saw a car had hit Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta office.⁠ ⁠ He ran to the driver’s side of the vehicle.⁠ ⁠ That’s when he noticed the driver had a knife and, reaching in, Jefferies quickly wrenched the blade from the man’s pocket and tossed it away.⁠ Read more: https://t.co/VaQFHLIhVG
— The Age (@theage) October 20, 2026

The 43-year-old male driver of the vehicle was restrained by local barber Ricky Jefferies — now widely hailed as a “hero”.

Jefferies told journalists his first thought had been: “My wife would be disappointed if I’m injured.”

“My family, they’re everything, and my community is second to that,” a visibly shaken Jefferies told journalists.

The other people here were just, they did so much more than me… they deserve the credit.

‘Devastating’

The driver was then arrested and police found a knife in his car.

The alleged attacker’s motive remains unknown and Albanese has refused to speculate while the investigation is ongoing.

But he has bemoaned the fact that political debate in Australia has grown too heated and personal over the past few years and pointed to a significant increase in threats against elected officials.

“It’s important in a democracy that people are allowed to have disagreements,” he said.

“But that doesn’t mean that you have to draw into question people’s motivations or their patriotism or who they are.”

“We’ve seen, I think, political discourse go in the wrong direction in recent times,” he said.

Flowers outside the office of Helen Haines. Alamy Stock Photo

Victoria premier Ben Carroll said he was “appalled” by the “violent attack” in his state.

“I know how devastating this will be for the Wangaratta community and all those who Helen represents,” he said.

Haines entered parliament in 2019 after working as a nurse and midwife, becoming known for stances such as supporting stronger climate action.

“This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care,” her family said.

“We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response.”

Tributes to the independent lawmaker have poured in from across the political spectrum.

Conservative opposition leader Angus Taylor described it as a “shocking day for our nation”.

And far-right senator Pauline Hanson said “violence against any elected representative, whoever they are and whatever they stand for, is never acceptable in Australia”.