Australia: Helen Haines loses leg after car attack in Wangaratta, driver arrested

Australian lawmaker Helen Haines has lost a leg after being struck by a car in a deliberate attack local media said TuesdayPolitical violence is rare in Australia but law enforcement have documented a steady rise in threats and abuse directed towards the nations elected officials in recent yearsPrime Minister Albanese said the attack was a test of our character and led an outpouring of support for Haines widely praised for her efforts to increase transparency in politics and crack down on corruptionShe was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser outside her office in the town of Wangaratta just over 200 kilometres 124 miles northeast of Melbourne at around 335 pm 0435 GMT on MondayWitnesses told national broadcaster ABC they heard a bang and saw a woman pinned between two carsShe was getting things from the trunk of her car when the attack happened Albanese saidThe driver did a Uturn to get back to her after passing he addedIts clear this was a deliberate act he saidHero barberThe 65yearold was critically injuredShe underwent surgery overnight at the Alfred hospital in MelbourneNational broadcaster ABC and the Sydney Morning Herald reported she had lost a legHelen remains in hospital in a critical condition I spoke with her husband Phil last night and she underwent surgery last night Albanese told Australian breakfast show SunriseAll Australians thoughts are with the family with her many friends with her community he addedThe 43yearold male driver of the vehicle was restrained by local barber Ricky Jefferies now widely hailed as a heroJefferies told journalists his first thought had been my wife would be disappointed if Im injuredMy family theyre everything and my community is second to that a visibly shaken Jefferies told journalistsThe other people here were just they did so much more than me they deserve the creditDevastatingThe driver was then arrested and police found a knife in his carAustralian media reported that he was known to police and that his name is Brendan NugentA statement released by his parents said Haines had been our friend for more than 20 years and what happened to her yesterday is devastating and unfathomable The Age newspaper reportedWe would like to sincerely thank members of the local community and police who came to Helens aid yesterday after the shocking and horrific crime the statement addedAn investigation by federal police the counterterrorism squad and Victoria state law enforcement is ongoing and he remained in custody on TuesdayFederal police said they were working with local law enforcement on possible charges including the offence of causing harm to a government official which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonmentThe alleged attackers motive remains unknown and Albanese has refused to speculate while the investigation takes placeBut he has bemoaned the fact that political debate in Australia had grown too heated and personal over the past few yearsIts important in a democracy that people are allowed to have disagreements he saidBut that doesnt mean that you have to draw into question peoples motivations or their patriotism or who they areWeve seen I think political discourse go in the wrong direction in recent times he saidHaines entered parliament in 2019 after working as a nurse and midwife becoming known for stances such as supporting stronger climate actionThis afternoon our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office and is receiving medical care her family saidWe thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her and police for their responseTributes to the independent lawmaker have poured in from across the political spectrumConservative opposition leader Angus Taylor described it as a shocking day for our nationAnd farright Senator Pauline Hanson said violence against any elected representative whoever they are and whatever they stand for is never acceptable in AustraliaThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever