The Actual News

Stay informed without the news wearing you out.

Australian lawmaker hurt in car attack loses leg: media

Australian lawmaker hurt in car attack loses leg: media

Summary

Australian lawmaker Helen Haines was deliberately hit by a car outside her office and has lost a leg after surgery. The driver, Brendan Nugent, was arrested, and police are investigating the attack, which is uncommon in Australia but comes amid a rise in threats to politicians.

Key Facts

  • Helen Haines, an independent Australian lawmaker, was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser near her office in Wangaratta on October 19, 2026.
  • The attack was deliberate; the driver made a U-turn to hit her again after passing.
  • Haines was critically injured, underwent surgery, and lost a leg.
  • The driver, Brendan Nugent, was restrained by a local barber named Ricky Jefferies and then arrested.
  • Police found a knife in Nugent’s car, and he was known to law enforcement.
  • The investigation involves federal and state police, as well as the counter-terrorism squad.
  • Charges may include harm to a government official, which can lead to up to 10 years in prison.
  • The motive for the attack is still unknown, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for calm as the investigation continues.
Read the Full Article

This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.

Monday's biggest stories, one calm email.