Helen Haines attacked days after pressing PM to boost rural health funding
Independent MP Helen Haines suffered critical injuries with both legs amputated when struck by a car outside her office in Wangaratta.
Helen Haines, the Independent MP for Indi, was struck by a car outside her electorate office on Monday. Haines remains in critical but stable condition at the Alfred hospital with both legs amputated.
A man has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and the federal offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. Brendan Nugent's lawyer told Wangaratta Magistrates' Court that he is having mental health concerns and a neurological condition.
Just five days before the attack, Haines presented Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with evidence. The evidence showed a $2.7 billion funding shortfall in rural health services.
The shortfall shows the gap between metropolitan and regional areas. Crossbench colleagues plan to raise regional health funding and MP security measures when parliament resumes on Monday.
- 2.7 billion dollars
- Rural health funding gap
- Alfred hospital in Melbourne
- Hospital
- Indi
- Electorate
- 5 days
- Days between presentation and attack
Why it mattersThe attack has sparked urgent conversations about parliamentary security. It has also brought renewed calls for better mental health services in rural areas like Haines's electorate.
AustraliaThe incident is now driving policy discussions about protecting members of parliament and boosting mental health and health funding in Australian regional communities.
Corroborated byabc.net.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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