Victorian MP: Helen Haines stabilizes after double amputation

Helen Haines, the independent federal member for Indi, is in a serious but stable condition following the loss of both her legs. The Alfred hospital in Melbourne issued the update on Saturday morning, marking an improvement from her previous critical but stable status. Haines was struck by a car near her electorate office in Wangaratta, north east Victoria, on Monday afternoon. Surgeons initially attempted to save her right leg, but the severity of the injuries required the amputation of both limbs.

Brendan Nugent, 43, from Tarrawingee, was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury and intentionally causing serious injury. Police also charged him with the commonwealth offence of causing harm to a commonwealth public official. Court documents indicate he faces two additional charges for cultivating and possessing cannabis. Nugent appeared at Wangaratta magistrates court on Wednesday and did not apply for bail.

Phil Haines, Helen’s husband, provided a personal update outside the hospital on Wednesday. He described his wife’s heart and mind as being in good shape, citing her compassion and sharp intellect as her defining traits. On Friday, staff for the Indi electorate announced via social media that they aim to reopen office doors next Thursday. The team noted that many staff members witnessed the incident and assisted in the immediate aftermath, prompting a period of recovery for the family and team alike.

Support for Haines has extended beyond the local community. Phil Haines encouraged donations to Save the Children in his wife’s honor. More than $730,000 has been raised for the charity’s special appeal to date. A community vigil took place in Wodonga on Wednesday evening after the news of the double amputation broke. Cathy McGowan, Haines’s predecessor as the member for Indi, told attendees that the community is dealing with mixed emotions.

The incident has triggered a national review of security risks for politicians. In Western Australia, police charged a 56-year-old man for allegedly threatening staff and wielding nunchucks at the office of minister Hannah Beazley. This occurred days after the Wangaratta incident, highlighting the shared concerns regarding the safety of public officials in regional Australia.