People lay flowers outside the office of Australian politician Helen Haines in the northern regional city of Wangaratta, on Oct. 20, 2026. William West/AFP via Getty Images
Injured MP Helen Haines’ condition has been downgraded to stable, nearly three weeks after she was allegedly attacked outside her electorate office.
The independent member for Indi had both legs amputated after being repeatedly struck by a four-wheel drive in Wangaratta, in northern Victoria, on Oct. 19.
The attack left her fighting for her life in a critical condition.
On Nov. 6, the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne announced Haines was now in a stable condition, and daily updates would no longer be shared.
The alleged attacker, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, was charged with offences including causing harm to a Commonwealth public official and faced Wangaratta Magistrates Court in October.
He is yet to enter a plea and will return to court in February 2027.
The alleged attack sparked daily reviews into parliamentarians’ safety, with many in public-facing roles experiencing threats.
Security in Parliament House’s public places has also been increased.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led tributes to Haines when parliament returned for the first time following the incident.
Haines was described as the “matriarch of the crossbench” by her friends and colleagues, some of whom were emotional.
The silhouette of a cockatoo, cut from orange card, was placed on Haines’ chair by close friend and colleague Zali Steggall.
The alleged attack has also led to efforts to protect parliamentarians from online harm, which will be top of the agenda at an international forum with Albanese and his British counterpart, Andy Burnham.
The high-profile gathering will convene for the first time in 2027.
A fundraiser for charity Save the Children, set up by Haines’ family in lieu of flowers, has surpassed $1.4 million in donations.
By Annika Rhoades in Canberra
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