Australian independent MP Helen Haines has been moved from critical to serious but stable condition, five days after she was allegedly deliberately struck by a car outside her office in north-east Victoria.
The 65-year-old Indi MP remains at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne after surgeons amputated both her legs following the incident in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon.
Her husband, Phil Haines, said the recovery ahead would be long and difficult, but described his wife as a fighter with a strong intellect and a determination to overcome the ordeal.
“We are grateful and thankful that, at this stage, both her heart and her mind are in good shape,” he said.
Mr Haines, who has been married to the MP for 40 years, said she was “a very compassionate, caring, loving person” and had always been “incredibly supportive of all around her”.
Haines had been returning to her electorate office after attending a sod-turning event in a nearby town when she stopped on Murphy Street at about 3.35pm.
Witnesses alleged that a white Toyota LandCruiser made a sharp U-turn before ramming her against her own vehicle. The driver then allegedly reversed and struck her again.
Brendan Nugent, 43, has been charged with dangerous driving causing injury, intentionally causing injury and a Commonwealth offence involving harm to a Commonwealth public official. Police allege the incident was targeted.
Nugent, who remains in custody, has also been charged with cultivating and possessing cannabis. He appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
