Brendan Nugent’s family say Helen Haines has been their friend for more than 20 years

Wangaratta, Australia - Australian lawmaker Helen Haines sustained a severe injury, losing a leg, when she was deliberately struck by a car outside her office, local media reported on Tuesday. Political violence is not common in Australia, but there has been a noticeable rise in threats and abuse targeting elected officials in recent years.

Prime Minister Albanese condemned the attack as "a test of our character" and rallied support for Haines, who is widely recognized for her work on transparency in politics and combating corruption. Haines, 65, was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser outside her office in Wangaratta, approximately 200 kilometers northeast of Melbourne, around 3:35 PM on Monday.

Witnesses described seeing a woman, who was retrieving items from her car trunk, pinned between two vehicles. The driver of the vehicle made a U-turn to return to the victim. According to Albanese, "It's clear this was a deliberate act."

Haines is currently in critical condition at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where she underwent surgery. The 43-year-old male driver remained restrained by local barber Ricky Jefferies, who has been hailed as a "hero" for his prompt action. Jefferies stated that his first thought was for his wife, emphasizing the importance of family and community support.

The driver has been arrested, and police found a knife in his vehicle. He is known to the authorities and has been identified as Brendan Nugent. The investigation, led by federal police, the counter-terrorism squad, and Victoria state law enforcement, is ongoing, and he is presently in custody. Charges may include causing harm to a government official, with a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.

Albanese highlighted the increasing tension in political discourse in Australia, attributing it to a significant rise in threats against elected officials. He emphasized the importance of constructive political debate and urged against personal attacks on individuals. Tributes for Haines have flooded in from across the political spectrum, with both opposition leader Angus Taylor and far-right Senator Pauline Hanson condemning the violence.