Brendan Nugent, accused of striking independent Australian lawmaker Helen Haines with a vehicle, appeared in court in Wangaratta Wednesday on charges linked to the Oct. 19 collision.
Nugent, 43, did not seek bail at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court. Victoria Police charged him with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally cause serious injury, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. Court filings also list charges of cultivating and possessing cannabis.
Magistrate Allison Vaughan said police would complete their evidence brief by Dec. 24. The court scheduled a committal mention for Feb. 4, 2027.
Her husband, Phil Haines, said doctors amputated her left leg Monday and later removed the right after efforts to save it failed. EconoTimes covered the amputations in an earlier report. The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne said she remained in critical condition; Phil Haines described her as stable.
Police allege the collision was targeted, but Victoria Police have not established a motive. Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the AFP had no specific intelligence indicating a threat to Haines.
