The condition of federal MP Dr Helen Haines has improved from critical to serious but stable after she was allegedly hit deliberately by a Toyota LandCruiser.
Brendan Nugent, 43, has been accused of driving the vehicle into Dr Haines outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, northern Victoria, on Monday afternoon.
The 65-year-old Independent MP sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Melbourne’s Alfred hospital for emergency surgery. The incident resulted in the loss of both her legs.
An update from The Alfred on Saturday morning provided the first indication that Dr Haines’ condition had stabilised. The hospital said: ‘The patient is in a serious but stable condition at The Alfred on Saturday morning.’
Nugent, who neighbours said lived alone at a remote property near Tarrawingee, appeared briefly in court on Wednesday. He was charged with several offences, including dangerous driving causing serious harm, in connection with the alleged incident.
His lawyer, Chirag Patel, told the court that Nugent had no known history of diagnosed mental health conditions. However, he said he was worried about his client’s psychological welfare and wanted him to undergo an assessment.
Mr Patel did not seek bail, and Nugent was remanded in custody until his next court appearance in February.
On Saturday, the Herald Sun reported on Nugent’s interests, which allegedly included ancient Chinese philosophy and the Grand Theft Auto video game series.
Federal MP Dr Helen Haines is now in a serious but stable condition after initially being described as critical
Dr Haines was allegedly struck by a Toyota LandCruiser outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday afternoon
Brendan Nugent faces charges including dangerous driving causing serious harm
One piece of writing attributed to Nugent used Daoist philosophy to examine ideas about the universe.
‘Are 2 + universes or infinite complexity Daoist teachings but not currently usually supported in this one … vision as you can’t see where the energy diffuses to [i.e.] only back and forth usually supported,’ he wrote.
In another entry, he wrote: ‘Consistent most with Daoist teachings = always complexity???’
Reports also said Nugent had read works about Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher traditionally regarded as the founder of Daoism. References to Lao Tzu also appeared in the username of an X account linked to him.
The Australian reported on Saturday that it had reviewed more than 2,600 deleted social media posts linked to Nugent. Some reportedly expressed frustration over what he described as inadequate support services.
‘I have a masters degree, H1 average, still … [can’t] get the basic assistance I need to work. Tried many times,’ he wrote.
‘Disability pension not enough to manage it so I’m constantly broke spending on health, NDIS is unavailable. We are left to sit in pain 24/7.’
According to The Australian, Nugent had also written about a NSW Police investigation into an alleged child abuse material network.
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Reports have shed new light on Nugent’s life before the alleged attack, including his reported interest in Daoism and Grand Theft Auto
Nugent published more than 10,000 posts on X over a period spanning more than 12 years
Nugent indicated in one post that he had contacted the office of his state Nationals MP, Tim McCurdy, to discuss the ‘police and court handling of sexual abuse matters’.
He also posted photographs of himself accompanied by unusual personal captions.
In one post on July 10, 2024, Mr Nugent shared a mirror-image selfie showing him wearing a tweed cap, a long beard and a nose ring.
‘[I’m] just at home, … great alpine road, Tarrawingee, being peaceful, and it feels like they are going to kill me,’ he said, though he did not elaborate on the ‘they’.
Nugent’s interests also included the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, according to the Herald Sun.
In the game, players can steal cars, use firearms, set off explosives and engage in police pursuits.
The long-running franchise has remained one of the world’s most popular video game series for more than two decades, with its next instalment scheduled for release on November 19.
Police are still investigating the circumstances of the alleged attack on Dr Haines, including Nugent’s relationship with his family.
Following the incident, Dr Haines’ office has remained closed but staff are now preparing to reopen the space
Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush was asked by ABC Mildura on Friday whether police were investigating the possibility that Nugent’s alleged attack on Haines was a ‘proxy’ for grievances involving his family.
‘Yes, it is,’ he said.
Following the incident, Dr Haines’ office has remained closed but staff are now preparing to reopen the space.
On Friday, her team thanked the local community and people around the world for their support.
‘What happened on Monday has deeply affected Helen’s family and all of her staff,’ they wrote in an Instagram post alongside an image of floral tributes to Dr Haines.
‘Many of us witnessed the incident and some were among the first to come to her aid.’
Her staff hope to reopen electorate offices in Wangaratta and Wodonga on Thursday, while acknowledging that recovery will take time.
‘As Helen takes the time she needs to recover, we will take time to look after ourselves and one another, too,’ the post read.