‘We can’t just pretend that everything’s OK in the regions’: what went wrong in Wangaratta?
After Indi MP Helen Haines was allegedly attacked on Monday, people across the electorate are questioning how something like this could happen – and if anything could have been done to prevent it Something changed a few years ago. Brendan Nugent had been a reasonably prominent conservationist when Helen Haines – a longtime friend of his family – became his federal MP in 2019. He would sometimes…
In Wangaratta, a small town in Victoria, a shocking incident has left the community bewildered. Former federal MP Brendan Nugent allegedly ran down Indi MP Helen Haines, causing serious injury to the woman and herself. The incident has sparked questions about the state of mental health and well-being in the region.
Brendan Nugent, a long-time friend of Haines' family, had a history of environmental activism before his political career. Known for his conservation efforts and footy days, Nugent had a significant following in the community. However, he began to exhibit signs of deteriorating mental and physical health in recent years.
By the time the attack occurred, Nugent lived in a dilapidated farmhouse outside Wangaratta, surrounded by unkempt grass and empty beer cans. He was reportedly estranged from his father, Rob, who owned the property. Nugent was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and the federal offense of causing harm to a public official.
The magistrate noted Nugent's mental health and neurological concerns, including idiopathic transverse myelitis, a rare neurological condition. He was not on any prescribed medication and was not withdrawing from substances. Nugent's estranged father, Rob, described him as a well-liked member of the community, but locals who knew him better said they had never met him or seen him in years.
Jacquie, a former teacher of Nugent's, expressed her shock and concern for both Haines and Nugent. She had hoped to support Nugent, as he had reached out for help in the past. Nugent's social media activity had dwindled in recent years, with only 13 posts in the past year. His last post was in December 2024, and before that, his content was longer and more coherent, sharing information about local flora and fauna and his experiences at the MCG watching Geelong.
The community is now grappling with the sudden change in Nugent's behavior and the potential factors that led to this tragic incident. Mental health professionals have been called to assess Nugent's condition, and the police investigation into the attack is ongoing.
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