Man in custody over Aussie MP attack named; Luxon and Peters address attack

New Zealand is shocked by the attack on Australian independent MP Helen Haines, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. 

Peters sent his well wishes to Haines, who remains in critical condition in hospital, and added that “violence has absolutely no place in politics”. 

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he spoke to his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese and passed on “thoughts and prayers from New Zealand around that situation”, which he described as a “concerning development in Australia”. 

Speaking to media this morning, Labour leader Chris Hipkins said it was “a real concern when violence is being perpetrated against those who are in elected office”. 

Haines, 65, suffered critical injuries after an attack outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria, yesterday. 

She was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser while unloading her car, pinning her between the vehicles. 

Independent member for Indi Dr Helen Haines speaks in Australia's House of Representatives in Parliament House on September 9. Photo / Getty Images 

A 43-year-old man from the nearby town of Tarrawingee was subsequently taken into custody and was expected to be interviewed. 

A knife was found and seized from inside the Toyota, police said. 

Police initially said they were investigating whether the attack was intentional and whether Haines and the vehicle’s driver knew each other. 

• Australian MP critically injured in attack, counter-terrorism probe launched
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later said a counter-terrorism investigation was underway. 

“This wasn’t an accident. This was a deliberate act.” 

This frame grab taken from video footage provided by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation shows police officers at the scene after Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines was struck by a car and suffered critical injuries outside her office. Photo / AFP 

Haines’ family appealed for Australians to “please keep Helen in your thoughts”. 

“This afternoon [Monday], our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care. 

“We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response,” the family said. 

Man in custody after the attack named 

The Australian has named the man in custody following the attack on Haines as Brendan Nugent. 

The 43-year-old was taken into custody yesterday and is being questioned by police. He is believed to have also undergone a mental health assessment. 

Sources told the ABC that Nugent is known to police. 

MP remains in critical condition after surgery 

Haines has had surgery but remains in a critical condition, Albanese said this morning. 

“Helen 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 Sunrise. 

“All Australians’ thoughts are with the family, with her many friends, with her community,” he said. 

Albanese described the attack on the MP as a “test of our character”. 

“I want Australian democracy to continue to be strong and continue to be accountable,” Albanese told national broadcaster ABC, urging Australians to tackle their differences “respectfully”. 

No change to threat level in NZ at this stage – Luxon 

Luxon told media this morning the attack in Australia does not change the threat or security level in New Zealand at this stage. 

“I think there’s a couple of things in the New Zealand context. I think we’ve found a balance of being highly accessible to the public, but also managing some of the security threats that we encounter as well,“ he said. 

“I think there’s been a really big effort from parliamentary services and the security teams there to make sure we protect all of our MPs, and we’ve also got, you know, outstanding DPS staff, as you know, as well.” 

Luxon said New Zealand is striking the right balance between keeping MPs and politicians safe while remaining accessible to constituents. 

Opposition leaders only get permanent security during an election campaign. 

Luxon said that’s an evolving conversation. 

“If there’s more support needed we’re very, very open to that across the system. I think in New Zealand we’ve found a good balance between being accessible but also having our security, taking security threats seriously and, and managing them effectively and certainly better than we have in the past.” 

New details of the attack emerge 

Witnesses told national broadcaster ABC they heard a bang and saw a woman pinned between two cars. 

She was getting things from the boot of her car when the attack happened, Albanese said. 

The driver did a U-turn to get back to her after passing her, he added. 

“It’s clear this was a deliberate act,” he said. 

The 65-year-old was critically injured. 

She was airlifted to Melbourne and underwent surgery overnight at The Alfred hospital. 

Police are seen outside The Alfred hospital, where Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines was airlifted to for treatment with critical injuries after being struck by a car outside her office in Wangaratta. Photo / AFP 

The 43-year-old male driver of the vehicle was detained by civilians, Mason said, before being arrested by police. 

Australian media reported that he was known to police. 

‘Shocking day’: Tributes for MP 

Conservative opposition leader Angus Taylor described it as a “shocking day for our nation”. 

Far-right Senator Pauline Hanson said “violence against any elected representative, whoever they are and whatever they stand for, is never acceptable in Australia”. 

Albanese described Haines as “fiercely intelligent but, most importantly, she’s just a thoroughly decent human being”. 

“There’s a reason why Helen Haines is so loved and admired because she’s someone of integrity. She’s someone who treats everyone with respect. 

“She’s someone who is a beacon of light for that community there in northern Victoria.” 

Bob Katter, the longest-serving current Australian MP, said on Instagram that he “couldn’t sleep last night.. praying for my good and long term friend Helen”. 

“Helen brings sparkle, enlightenment and joy to the centre of the crossbench,” he wrote. 

– Additional reporting by AFP