Independent MP Helen Haines Upgraded to Serious but Stable Condition After Alleged Attack

Independent federal MP Helen Haines is now in a serious but stable condition, days after she lost both legs in an alleged attack near her electorate office in north-east Victoria. Her condition had earlier been described as critical but stable.

A spokesperson for The Alfred hospital in Melbourne gave the update on Saturday morning. "The patient is in a serious but stable condition at The Alfred on Saturday morning," the spokesperson said.

Haines, who represents the Victorian seat of Indi, was struck by a car in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. Surgeons initially tried to save her right leg, but the severity of her injuries meant both legs had to be amputated.

Her husband, Phil Haines, spoke outside the hospital on Wednesday. He said "both her heart and her mind are in good shape." He described the two most important parts of Helen for the family as her heart and her mind. "Her heart is huge. She is a very compassionate, caring, loving person," he said, adding that she has "the sharpest intellect."

On Tuesday, police charged Brendan Nugent, 43, from nearby Tarrawingee, with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and the commonwealth offence of causing harm to a commonwealth public official. Court documents show he has since been charged with two further offences, cultivating and possessing cannabis. Nugent appeared at Wangaratta magistrates court on Wednesday and did not apply for bail.

In a social media update on Friday, Haines's staff said they hope to reopen her electorate offices next Thursday. They said the events of Monday had deeply affected the MP's family and all of her team, noting that many staff witnessed the incident and some were among the first to help her. "As Helen takes the time she needs to recover, we will take time to look after ourselves and one another, too," the post said, asking for understanding in the coming days and weeks.

Staff also said they were overwhelmed by the kindness shown by the Indi community and by people across Australia and around the world. More than $730,000 has been raised for Save the Children in Haines's honour, after her husband encouraged people to give to the charity's special appeal while his wife recovers.

The alleged attack has echoed through Australian politics, prompting discussion about the tone of political debate, security risks facing MPs, and mental health services in regional Victoria. In Western Australia, police charged a 56-year-old man after he allegedly threatened staff and wielded nunchucks at the electoral office of state local government minister Hannah Beazley, days after the incident involving Haines.

A community vigil for Haines was held in Wodonga on Wednesday evening, after it emerged that she had lost both legs. Cathy McGowan, Haines's predecessor as the member for Indi, said at the event that the community was dealing with "mixed emotions."