A far-left pro-Palestine activist has been identified as the driver who allegedly attacked Independent MP Helen Haines outside her office in Wangaratta, regional Victoria.
Brendan Nugent, 43, is yet to be charged and is still being interviewed by police over the alleged incident, which took place on Murphy Street at about 3.30pm on Monday, but a social media account in his name includes posts about Gaza and environmental issues, and was followed by Greens leader David Shoebridge.
Ms Haines, the left-wing federal member for Indi, lost a leg and remains in a critical condition after being hit by Nugent’s Toyota LandCruiser, and witnesses said he drove past the 65-year-old mother-of-three before doing a U-turn and returning to slam into her as she was removing items from the boot of her car.
Nugent was detained by witnesses before police arrived, and one said he was “delirious” and mumbling slurs. Police confirmed that a knife was seized from the LandCruiser, and said specialist crash investigation teams had been called in from Melbourne.
The suspect’s X account was also followed by Ms Haines, expressed support for Palestine and anger at Israel, spoke out about logging projects, denounced Donald Trump for “hate crimes”, posted about “climate criminals”, and also shared content about Jeffrey Epstein and the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
In 2019 he commented on a post by Ms Haines saying the ABC should have included “a politician who takes climate change seriously, such as yourself” on panel show Q&A.
The account was first identified late on Monday night by online sleuths including independent journalist Drew Pavlou.
Mike Burgess, the boss of spy agency ASIO, which has been criticised for focusing on “right-wing extremism” instead of radical Islamism and the far-left, made a statement about the incident blaming “inflamed language”.
“I have repeatedly put on the record my concern about the use of violent rhetoric in public discourse,” he said.
“Words matter. While political differences, debates and peaceful protests are essential parts of a healthy democracy, ASIO has seen direct correlations between inflamed language, inflamed tensions and acts of violence.”
Albanese has already blamed social media. https://t.co/xK8rS8IaCF
— Anthony Khallouf (@ausvstheagenda) October 19, 2026
An emotional Mr Albanese addressed the incident during an appearance on ABC’s 730 on Monday evening, and also blamed social media for a rising number of threats against politicians.
“The Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO are working together on this. The Joint Counter Terrorism Team has been activated, but the motive is not known,” he said.
When asked whether the country had become more dangerous for politicians, Mr Albanese replied: “It has changed, and there’s no question that social media is a part of that, and so is the contest for clicks.”
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson also made a statement about the incident, which she said had left her feeling “horrified and saddened”.
“Police are investigating, and we should let them do their work,” she said.
“Violence against any elected representative, whoever they are and whatever they stand for, is never acceptable in Australia. Members of parliament and their staff must be able to serve their communities without fearing for their safety.
“I thank the emergency services and the members of the public who rushed to help.”
Ms Haines voted for Mr Albanese’s “hate speech”, “prohibited hate group” and gun control laws brought in after the Bondi Islamic terrorist attack, and supports “net zero”, putting her out of step with much of her traditionally conservative regional electorate.
She won 42.3% of the primary vote in Indi at the 2025 federal election, ahead of the Liberal Party on 30.7%, but a DemosAU poll from earlier this month projected her vote share dropping to 34%, with One Nation on 32%, and the Liberals on 20%.
Mr Albanese’s comments come after Labor introduced its controversial Digital Duty of Care legislation to parliament, which critics warn will allow the government and the unelected eSafety Commissioner to censor political speech on social media.
Header image: Left, Brendan Nugent being arrested (Wangaratta Chronicle/Bailey Zimmermann). Right, Helen Haines (Facebook).
