# Anti-Israel activist charged with driving 4x4 into Australian MP

> Eco-warrior Brendan Nugent charged with causing serious injury to Australian MP Helen Haines, who lost a leg.
- Title: Anti-Israel activist charged with driving 4x4 into Australian…
- Summary: Eco-warrior Brendan Nugent charged with causing serious injury to Australian MP Helen Haines, who lost a leg. Eco-warrior Brendan Nugent was charged with…
- Keywords: brendan nugent, helen haines, australian mp, wangaratta, victoria, 4x4, intentionally causing serious injury, leg amputation, political violence, australian security intelligence organis, news, entertainment
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16223269/Anti-Israel-activist-charged-driving-4x4-Australian-MP.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-10-20T11:31:33+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: brendan nugent, helen haines, australian mp, wangaratta, victoria, 4x4, intentionally causing serious injury, leg amputation, political violence, australian security intelligence organis, news, entertainment
## Eco-warrior Brendan Nugent charged
Brendan Nugent, an anti-Israel activist from Tarrawingee, Victoria, has been charged with intentionally causing serious injury to federal MP Helen Haines.
## Helen Haines injured
Helen Haines, 65, a mother-of-three and grandmother, suffered severe lower-body injuries after being struck by Nugent's white Toyota Land Cruiser on Murphy Street in Wangaratta.
## Haines lost a leg
Surgeons amputated Haines' leg, and her other leg remains at risk due to the severity of her injuries.
## Haines in hospital
Haines remains in critical condition at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital after emergency surgery following the attack.
## Nugent's family statement
Nugent's parents have stated they have been friends with Haines for more than 20 years and will assist police in the investigation.

> What happened to her yesterday is devastating and unfathomable. We would like to sincerely thank members of the local community and police who came to Helen's aid yesterday after the shocking and horrific crime. We will be assisting Victoria Police in any way we can.
## Barber intervenes
Local barber Ricky Jefferies apprehended Nugent after he allegedly drove a Toyota Land Cruiser into Haines, and restrained him until police arrived.
## Prime Minister's response
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Jefferies for his intervention, calling him a hero who may have prevented further injuries.
## Haines' background
Haines, a nurse, midwife, and academic before entering politics, was known for advocating rural health and integrity in government.
## Haines' political role
Haines, first elected to Parliament in 2019, has been re-elected twice and was a key figure in establishing the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
## Haines' hospital transfer
Haines was initially taken to Wangaratta hospital before being airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, 236km away.
## Haines' family statement
Haines' family thanked bystanders, health workers, and police for their assistance and requested privacy for the MP.
## Haines' background
Haines was the daughter of dairy farmers and mother of three, with a strong advocacy for rural health matters.
## Haines' injuries
Haines suffered severe lower-body injuries after being struck by Nugent's Land Cruiser multiple times on Murphy Street.
## Haines' political impact
Haines was widely respected in Canberra and nationally as a strong voice for integrity and honesty in politics.
## Haines' family statement
Haines' family requested that the public and media respect their privacy and keep her in their thoughts.
## Haines' hospital status
Haines remains in critical condition at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital after emergency surgery following the attack.
## Key takeaway

Eco-warrior Brendan Nugent was charged with intentionally causing serious injury to Australian MP Helen Haines, who lost a leg in an attack on Murphy Street in Wangaratta, Victoria.