An environmental activist who once supported Helen Haines has been identified as the man accused of deliberately driving a Toyota LandCruiser into the independent federal MP outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria.
Ms Haines lost a leg and remains in a critical condition after the incident, which police are investigating as a deliberate attack. Brendan Nugent, 43, from nearby Tarrawingee, was arrested at the scene and remains in custody, with detectives expected to interview him.
No charges had been laid by Tuesday morning. Police and counter-terrorism authorities are expected to examine Mr Nugent’s social media activity as part of their inquiries.
An X account bearing his name describes its user as a “plant person” and “pro-Gaza”, while stating that “the world should be run by dogs and children”. Ms Haines followed the account, which had interacted with her on several occasions.
The account appears to have supported Ms Haines during her 2019 federal election campaign, sharing anti-Independent material and criticising the Liberal-National Party. “1st wave of LNP funded anti-independent propaganda hit #indivotes today,” it said in a post tagging the MP.
It later praised her position on climate change, writing: “Would’ve been nice to include a politician who takes climate change seriously, such as yourself.” The account also featured posts about forestry, environmental issues and opposition to Victorian logging projects.
However, someone who knew Mr Nugent said he had moved into “darker” territory after becoming involved in local forest logging protests. His online posts also expressed strong opposition to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and criticised the Australian Government’s response.
One post referred to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong as “a couple of US lap dogs”, while another criticised the Biden administration’s “no daylight”, unconditional support for Israel. The account also sought donations for people in Gaza and referred to allegations of sexual abuse, including rape, of prisoners detained by Israeli forces.
A photograph posted in 2018 showed a 1997 Toyota LandCruiser bearing the same number plate as the vehicle allegedly used in Monday’s attack. Mr Nugent had also written online about being “broke” and suffering “chronic pain”, alongside posts covering conspiracy themes and political control.
The attack on Helen Haines
Ms Haines was retrieving belongings from the boot of her car on Murphy Street when the four-wheel-drive allegedly struck her repeatedly. Witnesses said the driver made a U-turn before ramming her against another vehicle and then reversing and striking her again.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Ms Haines was pinned by the vehicle and suffered severe lower-body injuries. She was treated at a local hospital before being airlifted about 250 kilometres to Melbourne, where she underwent emergency surgery.
Anthony Albanese said the circumstances indicated a deliberate act rather than an accident, although the motive remained unclear. He also warned that the number of people charged with threatening politicians had risen significantly.
Ricky Jefferies, a barber whose shop is next to Ms Haines’s office, intervened after the alleged attack. He said he pulled Mr Nugent from the LandCruiser, found a flick knife in his pocket and kicked it away before restraining him until police arrived.
Mr Albanese described Mr Jefferies as a hero, saying his actions may have prevented further injuries. Flowers and messages of support were later left outside Ms Haines’s electorate office.
Ms Haines, a former nurse, midwife and rural health researcher, has been a prominent advocate for regional healthcare and helped establish Australia’s National Anti-Corruption Commission. She has also campaigned for stronger climate action and called for sanctions on Israel, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urgent humanitarian aid.
Her family thanked bystanders, health workers and police for their assistance, and asked for privacy. “Please keep Helen in your thoughts,” they said.
