Helen Haines is in a stable condition in hospital after an alleged attack outside her office in Wangaratta left the independent Australian MP fighting for her life and resulted in the loss of both legs.
The member for Indi, in north-east Victoria, has been recovering at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne since the incident on 19 October.
A hospital spokesperson confirmed on Friday that her condition had improved from critical, saying: “The patient is in a stable condition at The Alfred.”
Haines’s fellow crossbench MP Allegra Spender recently revealed that her first concerns after waking were for her staff and the people who had helped her.
“Phil [Haines’ husband] told us about your first words since you woke up after the attack, and said that your first concerns when you woke were for your staff and gratitude to the first responders, nurses, and bystanders,” Ms Spender said.
She added: “People have spoken about your empathy and grace, and they deserve recognition.
“But I think it paints a picture of you as a sort of benign force wandering through the parliament. What I will say is that you are also a force for change.”
Investigation into alleged Wangaratta attack continues
Brendan Nugent, 43, is accused of deliberately ramming a Toyota LandCruiser into Haines outside her office. He remains in custody after being charged with multiple offences, including dangerous driving causing serious harm and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
Sources familiar with the investigation have said Nugent claimed he never intended to drive into Haines and that panic had driven his alleged actions. He also reportedly said he had never held a grudge against the MP and had previously voted for her.
Police and federal authorities are examining any existing connection between Nugent and Haines as they investigate a possible motive. His father, Rod, and his partner, Christine Cunningham, had reportedly been friends with Haines for more than 20 years.
Investigators are also looking into a possible family dispute. Police Commissioner Bush said every line of inquiry remained open, including whether the alleged attack could have been a “proxy” for grievances involving Nugent’s family.
Parliament paid tribute to Haines when it returned after the alleged attack. Independent MP Zali Steggall placed an orange cockatoo cut-out on her empty seat and described her friend as the matriarch of the crossbench.
Nugent’s case is due to return to Wangaratta Local Court on 4 February for a committal mention hearing.
