Helen Haines live updates: police charge accused Brendan Nugent with additional offences; lawyer says he has rare neurological condition

<p>Independent MP’s condition remains critical on Wednesday after surgery to save her remaining leg</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/19/mp-helen-haines-injured-incident-wangaratta-ntwnfb">‘Deeply appalled’: politicians condemn alleged attack after Helen Haines critically injured</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/19/who-is-helen-haines-the-mp-allegedly-attacked-in-victoria-ntwnfb">Helen Haines, the principled MP respected across parliament</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Anthony</strong> <strong>Albanese</strong> has described the police interview on Tuesday with <strong>Brendan</strong> <strong>Nugent</strong> as “extensive” but that the motivation of the alleged “violent” attack against <strong>Helen Haines</strong> is still unknown.</p><p>Certainly, it’s a reminder that the world is a more dangerous and divided place than it was a generation ago.</p><p>But I think that Australians do want to see their politicians be able to go about their business, to be able to get something from the back of their car, for goodness sake.</p><p>My side, every side included. We all have to recognise that politics has got more aggressive.</p><p>The particular impact on women in politics … [They] have got a different form of vilification and aggression towards them as well.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/oct/21/helen-haines-independent-mp-alleged-attack-wangaratta-vigils-court-ntwnfb">Continue reading...</a>