--- title: "Driver Charged with Attacking Australian Politician" url: https://newscentral.site/driver-charged-with-attacking-australian-politician/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "World" published: 2026-10-20T11:22:22.000Z updated: 2026-10-20T13:06:35.557Z id: 0e0a6ceb-a031-4f24-adbc-ececf50faae2 source: "ABC News International https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/australian-lawmaker-critical-stable-after-hit-car-prime-137403404" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/driver-charged-with-attacking-australian-politician/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Driver Charged with Attacking Australian Politician A driver has been charged after allegedly attacking a senior Australian politician, leaving her in critical condition. A driver has been charged in connection with an alleged attack on a senior Australian politician, leaving her in critical condition. Helen Haines, a 65-year-old independent federal lawmaker from Victoria state, was struck by a car outside her office in Wangaratta on Monday. The incident is being treated as a targeted attack by police. Brendan Nugent, a local resident, has been charged with intentionally causing serious injury to Haines. He has also been accused of dangerous driving and harming a federal official. The driver was subdued by bystanders immediately after the incident, and Nugent has been in custody since then. He is set to appear in court on Wednesday, where he may be granted bail. Nugent's father has released a statement expressing his family's shock and concern for Haines' well-being. Rod Nugent described Helen Haines as a deeply respected member of the local community. Brendan Nugent will face charges of intentionally causing serious injury to a federal official, among others. The attack on Australian federal lawmaker Rebekha Haines has sent shockwaves through the country's politics, where violence against politicians is extremely rare. In a stark contrast to many other nations, Australian lawmakers are often accessible to the public and rarely accompanied by security officers. Local residents were quick to respond to the incident, with several bystanders rushing to assist the injured politician and help detain the suspect. One of these individuals was Ricky Jefferies, a barber who happened to be near the scene of the attack. Jefferies recounted his actions in an interview, stating that he had searched the driver's pockets and found a knife, which police later confirmed was indeed present at the time of the incident. Despite his bravery, Jefferies downplayed his role, saying "it was crazy" and attributing the swift response to the collective action of bystanders. In a show of appreciation for their efforts, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese personally phoned Jefferies on Tuesday to express his gratitude. The prime minister's comments highlighted the resilience and selflessness displayed by ordinary Australians in the face of crisis. The investigation into the incident involving Australian federal lawmaker Larissa Haines is being led by the national counterterrorism team, which includes police and intelligence agencies. This decision was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday, who also expressed his concerns about the growing number of threats against parliamentarians in Australia. The latest data shows that such threats have more than doubled over the past three years, with official figures revealing over 1,000 incidents during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Experts warn that politically motivated violence is a top security concern for Australia, alongside espionage and foreign interference. According to Mike Burgess, head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, this trend is part of a broader shift in global politics. The incident has sparked concerns about the increasingly fractious nature of Australian politics, with politicians from across the spectrum urging their colleagues to tone down the rhetoric in public debates. Many are worried that Australia's easygoing culture of approachable politicians may be at risk of change. Haines' background as a nurse, midwife, and academic before entering politics suggests she was not known for polarizing views. Her initial election campaign focused on health equity, rural prosperity, and climate action, reflecting her roots in the dairy farming community where she grew up. The incident that left Australian federal lawmaker Haines injured has raised serious concerns about the safety of politicians worldwide. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the suspect passed Haines by as she stood near her parked car and then turned back to intentionally collide with her. The prime minister revealed that witnesses reported seeing the SUV reverse and strike Haines a second time, pinning her against her vehicle. One bystander who rushed to assist Haines described the scene as chaotic and initially thought it was a hit-and-run incident when the SUV backed away after the first impact. However, instead of fleeing, the driver proceeded to reverse and drive back into Haines, causing further harm. The incident has sparked fears about growing threats to lawmakers globally, with several high-profile attacks on politicians in recent years serving as stark reminders of the dangers they face. The United States has witnessed a disturbing trend of increasing political violence over the past decade. From the assault on Nancy Pelosi's husband in California to the assassination attempts on Donald Trump and other prominent figures, these incidents highlight the escalating risks faced by lawmakers and their families. In recent years, several high-profile incidents have highlighted the escalating risks faced by politicians worldwide. In Britain, killings of lawmakers have led to strengthened security measures, following a series of tragic events. A former British politician and reality TV contestant, Ann Widdecombe, was found beaten to death with a hammer at her home in July. A man has been charged with murder and terrorism-related offenses in connection with her killing. --- Source: [ABC News International](https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/australian-lawmaker-critical-stable-after-hit-car-prime-137403404) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/driver-charged-with-attacking-australian-politician/