# ‘Targeted’ attack on much-loved MP leaves Australian town heartbroken

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/targeted-attack-on-much-loved-mp-leaves-australian-town-heartbroken/
- Published: 2026-10-21T18:10:42+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-21T22:54:10+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC World (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmgr8q88r5eqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Art, Culture, World

## Key points

- Wangaratta is reeling after MP Helen Haines was struck by a car.
- Haines had both legs amputated after being airlifted to Melbourne.
- A local man faces charges as police consider further offences.

## Summary

Residents of Wangaratta are shocked by what police describe as a targeted attack on their local MP, Helen Haines, who was struck by a car outside her office on Monday. The independent MP had both legs amputated after being flown to Melbourne, and the alleged attack has unsettled a town where many say she is widely respected and cannot understand why she was targeted.

Police have charged local man Brendan Nugent with at least three offences, including intentionally causing harm, and are considering further charges, including attempted murder. Haines, a former nurse and midwife, was elected in 2019 and led efforts to establish Australia’s National Anti-Corruption Commission, which opened in 2023; she has also advocated for regional housing, rail and health investment. Residents and bystanders praised her community work and recalled that she thanked those who helped her after the attack.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.