# Australian Politician Loses Both Legs in Car Attack

> Australian federal lawmaker Helen Haines lost both legs after being hit by car in apparent political violence.
- Title: Australian Politician Loses Both Legs in Car Attack | Shortify
- Summary: Australian federal lawmaker Helen Haines lost both legs after being hit by car in apparent political violence. Australian politician Helen Haines lost both…
- Keywords: helen haines, australian federal politician, political violence, car attack, wangaratta, melbourne hospital, toyota land cruiser, brendan nugent, tarrawingee, wangaratta magistrates court, news, local
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/australian-politician-who-was-hit-by-car-has-lost-both-legs
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: helen haines, australian federal politician, political violence, car attack, wangaratta, melbourne hospital, toyota land cruiser, brendan nugent, tarrawingee, wangaratta magistrates court, news, local
## Helen Haines' Legs Amputated
Doctors amputated Helen Haines' left leg Monday and right leg Wednesday as she remains in critical condition.

> The good news in all this is that Helen is alive and she’s stable. That is the most important thing for our family.
## Husband's Public Statement
Helen Haines' husband said she is alive, stable, and her heart and mind are in good shape.

> We are grateful and thankful that at this stage, both her heart and her mind are in good shape.
## Man Accused of Attack
Brendan Nugent, 43, from Tarrawingee, appeared in Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court charged with intentional serious injury.

> Nugent didn’t apply for bail or enter a plea. He will remain in custody until his next court appearance in February.
## Nugent's Medical Conditions
Nugent’s lawyer said he has idiopathic transverse myelitis and a concussion but no mental health diagnosis.

> His client was suffering from potential mental health issues but had never been diagnosed with any mental health problem.
## Witness Accounts
Witnesses reported the driver rammed Haines, pinning her against her car before reversing and hitting her a second time.

> Witnesses say the driver rammed his victim, pinning her against her own car before reversing and ramming her a second time.
## Australia's Political Security Concerns
Senior opposition lawmaker James Paterson called for a review of lawmakers’ personal security after the attack.

> The reality is that Australian parliamentarians by global standards are uniquely accessible to the public and that’s a good thing.
## Prime Minister's Response
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged lawmakers to continue public engagement despite security concerns.

> We want to make sure that people can feel as much comfort as possible that everything’s being done to maximize security.
## Security Briefings for Lawmakers
Lawmakers began online meetings with Australia’s security agencies to discuss personal safety concerns.

> Albanese described the briefings as an opportunity for people who feel anxious to ask questions of security agencies.
## Key takeaway

Australian politician Helen Haines lost both legs following a car attack in Wangaratta, Australia.