Australian MP Helen Haines' condition improves after alleged car attack  - BBC News                            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c670pr1ryxyno)  (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c670pr1ryxyno)  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c670pr1ryxyno)  (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c670pr1ryxyno)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-36.413a37b227.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-48.010dc96bcf.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-57.1fcd0dc805.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-60.52f68a148f.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-72.f155fdb25f.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-76.cb5ee392d4.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-96.35ee2d1e20.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-114.7ccdf53cba.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-120.73e20442a9.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-128.060d346f09.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-144.e08bc23631.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-152.4de1981be0.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-180.1a18cb7b72.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-192.3ac042fa43.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-384.728e3a03d3.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-512.685da29e9e.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/favicon/news/favicon-16.8a240ceacc.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/favicon/news/favicon-32.5cf4e6db02.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/manifest.11b0cb15658c4719a2c19e25644577223adaa7b2.json)   (https://www.bbc.com)   BBC Homepage    (c670pr1ryxyno@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#main-heading) Skip to content  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/) Accessibility Help          (https://account.bbc.com/account?lang=en-GB&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fc670pr1ryxyno)    Your account       (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (c670pr1ryxyno@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#global-navigation-more-menu)    More menu     (c670pr1ryxyno@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#global-navigation-more-menu)   More menu    (https://www.bbc.com/search?d=NEWS_GNL)    Search BBC      (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (c670pr1ryxyno@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#more-menu-button)   Close menu          (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news)   BBC News      (c670pr1ryxyno@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#product-navigation-menu)    Menu  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news) Home   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cmj34zmwm1zt) Climate   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world) World   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/us_and_canada) US & Canada   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk) UK   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business) Business   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology) Tech   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment) Science   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment_and_arts) Entertainment & Arts   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health) Health     (c670pr1ryxyno@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#product-navigation-more-menu)    More     (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in_pictures) In Pictures   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bbcverify) BBC Verify   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat) Newsbeat         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world) World   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/africa) Africa   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/asia) Asia   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/australia) Australia   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/europe) Europe   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/latin_america) Latin America   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/middle_east) Middle East           Australian MP's condition improves after alleged car attack      (Independent MP Helen Haines speaks in the House of Representatives in Parliament House on September 09, 2026 in Canberra)    Image source,  Getty Images  Image caption,  Helen Haines had both her legs amputated after what authorities say was a deliberate attack       By Chris Graham     Published 8 hours ago           The condition of Helen Haines, the Australian MP hit by a car five days ago in north-east Victoria, has improved from critical to serious but stable.   The independent MP, 65, had both her legs amputated after what authorities say was a deliberate attack outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, north-east of Melbourne, on Monday. In the latest update on Saturday morning, the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne said Haines was in a serious but stable condition, the first improvement since she was airlifted there.  Her alleged attacker, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, was arrested shortly after the incident and has since appeared in court on three charges. The politician's husband, Phil Haines, said on Wednesday that the "horrendous incident" had caused his wife significant injuries but "her heart and her mind" were "in good shape".          To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played       Figure caption,  Shock and disbelief: How the attack on an Australian MP unfolded in a small rural town       Nugent, who was arrested moments after he allegedly drove his Toyota LandCruiser into the MP, appeared in court to face three charges: dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.  Police said more charges might be laid, including attempted murder. His lawyer said his client had "mental health concerns" but did not give any further detail. Victoria Police has said its investigation, with support from the Australian Federal Police, remains ongoing and a motive is yet to be established. Investigators are looking into whether drug use or medication played a part in the incident. Nugent's family has said they were long-time friends with Haines.  Shortly after the alleged attack, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC television that there had been a "rise in temperature" and "too much shouting, not enough discourse" in Australia. Haines, known for stances such as supporting stronger climate action, entered parliament in 2019 after working as a nurse and midwife.     Related topics  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/australia) Australia  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/ckwr88lznzzt) Victoria        More on this story (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmgr8q88r5eqo) 'Targeted' attack on much-loved MP leaves Australian town heartbroken     Published 2 days ago          (A man wearing an orange t-shirt reading "Wangaratta this is not us!!" waves an Australian flag)          (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm5ynk1g88kwo) What we know about Australian MP hit by car in alleged attack     Published 3 days ago          (Helen Haines wears glasses and a beige striped suit during an address at the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia.)                (vertical video collection) The video playlist   Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC      Previous     Next         1:17 Blue Planet III: Octopus escapes death after hunt gone wrong. 00:01:17, play video Blue Planet III: Octopus escapes death after hunt gone wrong    (A brown octopus is pictured close up. It's eye is looking straight at the camera and it's tentacles cannot be seen.)           0:58 Workers filmed around the clock to train AI to do their jobs. 00:00:58, play video Workers filmed around the clock to train AI to do their jobs    (A woman with a camera attached to her head works at a sewing machine)           0:53 The grannies taking over TikTok. 00:00:53, play video The grannies taking over TikTok    (An elderly woman with dark hair smiles wearing a blue pinstripe apron over a white top. She holds a glass of red wine)           0:55 Retiree's Pokémon cards sell for £1.6m. 00:00:55, play video Retiree's Pokémon cards sell for £1.6m    (A collection of Pokemon cards sitting in a binder)           0:21 'Like an outdoor turret': Celebrity traitors' daytime reunion. 00:00:21, play video 'Like an outdoor turret': Celebrity traitors' daytime reunion    (King Kenny on the Traitors - he is surrounded by the BBC iPlayer mask of light purple)           1:40 Hospitals deliberately targeted by Sudan's RSF fighters. 00:01:40, play video Hospitals deliberately targeted by Sudan's RSF fighters    (The inside of a hospital in Sudan damaged in the war)           1:22 'I'm not going to apologise for going on Gogglebox' 00:01:22, play video 'I'm not going to apologise for going on Gogglebox'    (Andy Burnham appearing on Gogglebox, wearing a white t-shirt and dark navy cardigan)           0:58 Why is the UK government telling people to stockpile? 00:00:58, play video Why is the UK government telling people to stockpile?    (Piled canned food, including tuna, beans and sauces.)           1:19 Government tells people to be prepared for 'everyday' threats. 00:01:19, play video Government tells people to be prepared for 'everyday' threats    (A woman with red hair, wearing a blue denim jacket, sitting in a crowd of people.)           1:07 Who is the only female scientist in your GCSE exam? 00:01:07, play video Who is the only female scientist in your GCSE exam?    (An image of Rosalind Franklin, in black and white, lightly touching the underside of her chin and looking at the camera side on - she is wearing a pearl necklace, what looks like the top of a dress, and has dark hair)           1:24 Angry scenes as Reform MSs call for burka ban. 00:01:24, play video Angry scenes as Reform MSs call for burka ban    (Reform MS Jason O'Connell has short brown hair. He has glasses and is wearing a dark suit and tie. There is a poppy on his left lapel.)           1:00 Why is New York banning horse-drawn carriages? 00:01:00, play video Why is New York banning horse-drawn carriages?    (A black horse pulling a white carriage, walking into a large well-lit doorway at night.)           0:42 Bryan Cranston on death of Breaking Bad co-star RJ Mitte. 00:00:42, play video Bryan Cranston on death of Breaking Bad co-star RJ Mitte    (Bryan Cranston has short light hair and short grey bread. He is wearing glasses, and a grey blazer over a black shirt.)           1:13 Treadmill World Championship - What are they and how to compete. 00:01:13, play video Treadmill World Championship - What are they and how to compete    (Treadmill World Championships)           0:22 Raye wins 2026 Mercury Prize. 00:00:22, play video Raye wins 2026 Mercury Prize    (Musician Raye smiles as she looks at the Mercury Prize she has just won at a ceremony.)           0:52 Celebrity traitors given a special role. 00:00:52, play video Celebrity traitors given a special role    (A close-up of presenter Claudia Winkleman wearing dark suit and brown tie in the dark)           1:00 Renting in London - 'I pay £2,000 for one bedroom' 00:01:00, play video Renting in London - 'I pay £2,000 for one bedroom'    (A man with short black hair and glasses stands in an outdoor piazza)               Top stories (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ck8dzrlg27rdt)     Live.    Rain warning begins in England and Wales as Storm Boelo hits UK      7986 viewing 8k viewing             (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cq1j38x0n4zrt)     Live.    Paris closes metro stations as France braces for further mass protests     2109 viewing 2.1k viewing             (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmlylkkzl2neo) Met investigates reports of letter detailing claims about Meghan's father     Published 6 hours ago                More to explore (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwj0leg7ng67o) The artist dropping her debut album after a billion streams      (Jazzy, pictured wearing a blue and white jacket embroidered with country scenes. The 30-year-old has her dark hair tied back in a messy bun and looks to the right of the camera while posing against a denim blue backdrop.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5zjxp1rjne8o) Strictly's new presenters - after frosty reviews have they warmed up?      (Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe smiling and standing together in a three-way dance hold)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3gr84w85glyo) How does the UK state pension compare with other countries?      (Old lady with grey hair sits at home with a brightly coloured blanket around her shoulders, looking at her laptop)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cmze483zj1zlo)    Why is John Travolta's old luxury jet in a small Australian town? Video Why is John Travolta's old luxury jet in a small Australian town?           (Composite image, BBC journalist wearing red top sitting in a plane cockpit on the left, John Travolta leaning out of cockpit window wearing a pilot uniform on the right.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6n8devv08nno) The Papers: 'Meghan warned over father' and 'Don't risk Truss-style budget'      (Newspaper headlines: 'Meghan warned over father' and 'Don't risk Truss-style budget')         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck4g1jg4n9dno) Are California voters about to impose 'world's first' tax on billionaires?      (Meta head Mark Zuckerberg, Skims cofounder and reality television star Kim Kardashian and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in side by side photos)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqr7yeed1ed7o) Before you crank up the thermostat, try these tips to keep your house warmer for longer      (Cora Harrison, a woman with short brown hair and glasses in a navy jumper, adjusts the temperature on a thermostat to 18 degrees)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm70p9r04r8wo) Meghan statement offers answers after years of questions about her relationship with father      (Meghan looks to the left of frame while sat onstage with blue and black background behind her, at SXSW in Austin in 2024.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsletters/zgmn46f) US Politics Unspun: Cut through the noise with Anthony Zurcher's newsletter      (A cut of of Anthony Zurcher wearing a suit and tie in front of a red, black, grey and blue graphic background featuring the US Capitol Building)             Elsewhere on the BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002zl60/watch/p0phnw1z?at_mid=0Q85UjCr2P&at_campaign=BBC_Extended_Trailer_Blue_Planet_III&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=m002zl60&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=awareness&at_link_title=BBC_Extended_Trailer_Blue_Planet_III&at_bbc_team=BBC) Coming soon: Sir David Attenborough's next great ocean journey        (Blue Planet III)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct4xfz?at_mid=QHxTa7Vio1&at_campaign=Witness_History_The_Worlds_First_Labradoodle&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=p004t1hd&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Witness_History_The_Worlds_First_Labradoodle&at_bbc_team=BBC) Witness History: The world's first labradoodle        (Witness History: The world's first labradoodle)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0032cxs?at_mid=R3XJsbPhpc&at_campaign=Here_for_the_History_Bad_Teeth&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=m002z05r&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=awareness&at_link_title=Here_for_the_History_Bad_Teeth&at_bbc_team=BBC) How did Brits get a reputation for having bad teeth?        (Here For The History)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct9rnm?at_mid=Db1bK6HUF5&at_campaign=Inheritance_Fiat&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=w13xtwk9&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=awareness&at_link_title=Inheritance_Fiat&at_bbc_team=BBC) The story of the influential Italian Agnelli family        (Inheritance: Fiat)            Most read 1 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr93zwjw1k4qo) Arrest made after fire at Hitler's mountaintop Eagle's Nest retreat       2 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqr7yeed1ed7o) Before you crank up the thermostat, try these tips to keep your house warmer for longer       3 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crgj9ndwvj9jo) Father who killed Oregon school gunman describes anguish over children he couldn't save       4 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3gr84w85glyo) How does the UK state pension compare with other countries?       5 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmlylkkzl2neo) Met investigates reports of letter detailing claims about Meghan's father       6 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5zjxp1rjne8o) Strictly's new presenters - after frosty reviews have they warmed up?       7 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmy83v286571o) The convicted £33m tax fraudster evading justice and living it up in Dubai       8 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck4g1jg4n9dno) Are California voters about to impose 'world's first' tax on billionaires?       9 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6jdmrz00v7lo) Celebrity Traitors left on a knife edge after a trip to the field of screams       10 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6n8devv08nno) 'Meghan warned over father' and 'Don't risk Truss-style budget'               BBC News Services  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10628994)    On your mobile  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/help-50068132)    On smart speakers  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10628323)    Get news alerts  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/20039682)    Contact BBC News     (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/terms) Terms of Use  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc) About the BBC  (https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/privacy) Privacy Policy  (https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/cookies) Cookies  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility) Accessibility Help  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/guidance) Parental Guidance  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact) Contact the BBC  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/careers) Careers  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcnewsletter) BBC emails for you  (https://www.bbc.com/advertisingcontact/) Advertise with us    Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidance/links-and-feeds) Read about our approach to external linking.         ()