Brendan Nugent denied bail, remanded until February in Haines car attack

Brendan Nugent, the 43-year-old man accused of deliberately ramming Australian MP Helen Haines with his car, was denied bail by the Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. He will remain in custody until a committal mention on February 4, 2027.Mr. Nugent appeared in court facing charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a public official. Magistrate Allison Vaughan noted that Mr. Nugent has mental health and neurological concerns, and it was his first time in custody. His lawyer, Chirag Patel, stated that Mr. Nugent suffers from idiopathic transverse myelitis, a rare neurological condition, and was also concussed. The court ordered that a mental health professional see Mr. Nugent immediately after his appearance.Ms. Haines, an independent lawmaker for Indi, was struck twice by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday, October 19, 2026. Doctors were forced to amputate one of her legs, and surgeons are fighting to save her other leg. She remains in critical condition in hospital.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as a “violent incident” and a “deliberate attack.” Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated that while the attack was targeted, it is believed to be an isolated incident. Police had no prior intelligence or warning of any threat to Ms. Haines. Victoria Police Chief Mike Bush confirmed that the motive behind the attack remains unknown and is a central focus of the ongoing investigation.Ms. Haines was first elected to the federal parliament in 2019, representing the rural seat of Indi. She has been a vocal advocate for rural healthcare, housing, climate change resilience, and the establishment of a national anti-corruption commission. Concerns about the safety of politicians in Australia have grown in recent years amid rising political polarisation and online abuse. Prime Minister Albanese has expressed worries about increasing anger in politics and hostility on social media.Mr. Nugent is scheduled to appear in court for a committal mention on February 4, 2027. The investigation into the motive behind the attack is ongoing, and a mental health professional will assess Mr. Nugent following his court appearance.