Brendan Nugent, 43, has been charged with three federal offenses for allegedly intentionally hitting Australian MP Helen Haines with a car, and will remain in custody until February 4. In a separate incident, a non-venomous Japanese striped snake was confirmed as the creature that caused a Japan Air Commuter (JAC) flight cancellation.
Haines, an independent federal MP for Indi, was intentionally struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Australia, on October 19, 2026. Victoria Police charged Nugent on October 20, 2026, with dangerous driving, causing serious injury, and harming a Commonwealth public official.
Attack on MP Haines and judicial process
Magistrate Allison Vaughan noted Nugent’s mental health and neurological concerns during his court appearance on Wednesday. His lawyer stated he was not on any prescribed medication and was not withdrawing from any substances. Nugent has not requested bail and will remain in custody until a committal mention on February 4.
Haines had one leg amputated, and doctors are attempting to save her other leg. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as an “intentional act” and “not an accident.” The Australian Federal Police, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, and Victoria Police are investigating the incident.
Snake found on Japan Air Commuter plane
A small animal spotted on a Japan Air Commuter (JAC), a group company of Japan Airlines, plane on October 19, 2026, led to the cancellation of a flight from Fukuoka to Kagoshima prefecture. The plane had arrived from Izumo Airport in Shimane prefecture earlier that day. On October 20, 2026, JAC confirmed that a snake, approximately 40cm long, was found under the carpet of the aircraft at Fukuoka Airport.
An expert identified the snake as a juvenile Japanese striped snake, a non-venomous species, and it was subsequently captured. JAC stated this was their first such incident and the point of entry for the snake remains unknown.
Nepal’s connection to Australia and Japan
Both Australia and Japan have seen a significant increase in residents of Nepali origin. As of June 2025, 213,580 people of Nepali origin resided in Australia, nearly five times the number in 2014. Similarly, by December 2025, the Nepali population in Japan reached 300,992, including approximately 116,000 students. Nepalis constitute the largest South Asian community in Japan.
What happens next
Brendan Nugent is scheduled to appear in court for a committal mention on February 4. Helen Haines’s family and staff have requested privacy and will not comment further on the matter.
Our earlier story: Australian MP Helen Haines hit by car: PM Albanese declares ‘premeditated act’
