A man tries to kill an Australian MP and leaves her without a leg after running her over

LondonThe man accused of running over 65-year-old independent Australian MP Helen Haines twice with his SUV had been a friend of her family for two decades, according to the attacker's father. Brendan Nugent, 43, was arrested this Monday after ramming the parliamentarian in front of her electoral office in Wangaratta, northeast of Melbourne. Haines has lost a leg as a result of her injuries and doctors are now trying to save the other one.

The suspect remains in police custody and is due to appear before a judge this Wednesday. The Victoria state police consider the attack to have been “targeted,” a claim also confirmed on Monday by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Investigators have yet to clarify the motive for the attack.

Through the media, Rod Nugent, the detainee's father, has expressed his support for Haines and assured that the family will cooperate with authorities to clarify what he described as a “horrific crime.” He added: “Helen Haines is a deeply respected, valued, and beloved member of our local community. She has been our friend for over 20 years, and what has happened to her is devastating and incomprehensible.”

The incident took place on Monday, when the MP had just attended the opening of a dog park in her constituency and was unloading items from her car in front of the office. According to witnesses, a white Toyota Land Cruiser made a U-turn on the main street, entered a parking lot, and headed towards her. The driver rammed her against another vehicle and reversed to run her over again.

Australian Interior Minister Tony Burke explained that a witness present ran towards the vehicle, opened the driver's door, pulled him out, and restrained him until the police arrived. According to other witnesses, Nugent was carrying a knife and appeared to be “delirious.”

From environmental activism to criticism of Israel

According to the revelations provided by the police, Nugent had a profile on social media as an environmental activist who had publicly defended Haines for his environmental positions. Both had also frequently criticized the Australian government's response to the war in Gaza. However, the police have not established any link between these political coincidences and the attack.

The suspect's digital activity shows an increasing involvement in criticism of Israel and Western governments for their policy regarding the conflict. In 2024, he reproached the then-British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, for continuing to provide diplomatic cover and military support to Israel, despite having asked them to stop the war. He also accused Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong of allowing Israel to act with impunity while thousands of children were dying. His most recent post, from October 18, referred to an Italian investigation into Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Nugent has a master's degree in environmental science from the University of Melbourne. In social media posts, he had also explained that he suffered from chronic pain, that he had financial difficulties, and that he was not receiving enough aid to cover the costs of the treatments he needed.