Helen Haines is still in a critical condition almost a week after she was mowed down in an allegedly targeted attack.

The 65-year-old federal MP had both of her legs amputated in the days after she suffered horrific lower-body injuries outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, in Victoria’s northeast, on Monday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

Health officials confirmed Haines’ condition on Friday, and while she is currently stable, her husband Phil revealed the “long and difficult” healing journey ahead for Haines.

Local vigils have been held throughout the week, with a national candlelight vigil also being held from 8pm AEDT on Friday.

“Light a candle and stand quietly for 15 minutes. Outside your front door, on your verandah, in your garden or beside a window. Wherever you are, you can be a part of this simple gesture of compassion,” an open invitation said.

Haines’ alleged attacker, 43-year-old local man Brendan Nugent, has faced court charged with intentionally causing serious injury and the Commonwealth offence of causing harm to a public official. He will next appear in court on February 4.

Wangaratta community members gathered for a vigil for federal MP Helen Haines earlier in the week. Credit: AAP

Possible new motive probed

Nugent’s father and mother-in-law, Rod Nugent and Christine Cunningham, revealed on Tuesday that they have been friends with Haines for 20 years.

Be the first to know:

Police are now looking into whether Nugent attacked Haines during a psychotic episode amid a rift with his father and mother-in-law, taking out his familial anger on their friend, The Australian reports.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush told ABC Radio Mildura on Friday morning police were investigating every possible line of inquiry into the reason for the attack.

One possibility was a potential rift between Nugent and his family, Bush said.

Asked whether the attack on Haines was a “proxy” for Nugent’s family, Bush replied: “Yes, it is.”

That is one of several possible motives under investigation after CCTV captured Nugent performing a U-turn moments before he allegedly rammed Haines.

Haines was mowed down outside her electorate office, shortly after a 4WD was captured doing a U-turn, police allege. Credit: 7NEWS

Haines suffered critical injuries and has now lost both legs. Credit: 7NEWS

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said at a press conference on Wednesday that detectives do not believe that Haines and Nugent had a personal relationship of their own, but acknowledged this would also be subject to further investigation.

Bush did not rule out further serious charges, when asked about a potential attempted murder charge or terrorism charge.

Anti-government sentiments also under investigation

Bush publicly commended Haines on Wednesday for her support in the wake of Dezi Freeman’s double murder of two police officers in Porepunkah, about an hour southeast of Wangaratta, in August 2025.

“I want to acknowledge (Haines), for her very strong and visible support for the Wangaratta (and) Porepunkah communities following the very tragic events of August 2025. She gave wonderful support to local police,” Bush said.

Freeman, who police shot dead after a seven-month manhunt, described himself as a sovereign citizen — a person who subscribes to anti-government ideology and thinks they are above the law.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush praised Haines for her support during a double murder targeting two policemen in 2025. Credit: AAP

The violent alleged attack has heightened fears among parliamentarians, and highlighted the concerning volume of reported threats that Australian politicians receive, as anti-government sentiments grow globally.

Nugent’s social media accounts are now also being closely analysed, with authorities finding frequent criticism of the Victorian Labor Government among more than 10,900 posts, many addressing concerns about logging projects and environmental issues.

“It’s hard watching our forests die before our eyes, knowing what’s to come,” one post reads.

Several of Nugent’s political posts spoke of preventable deaths due to pollution and war. His last post before the alleged attack was about Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz.

Brendan Nugent, 43, has faced court over the alleged attack. Credit: 7NEWS

The court heard that Nugent suffers from a rare neurological condition called idiopathic transverse myelitis, which can cause a sudden inflammation of the spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, sensory loss, and bladder or bowel dysfunction.

But an earlier social media post from Nugent in 2022 spoke to other difficulties he was experiencing.

“I have a masters degree, H1 average, still can get the basic assistance I need to work. Tried many times. Disability pension not enough to manage it so I’m constantly broke spending on health, NDIS is unavailable. We are left to sit in pain 24/7,” the post reads.

Nugent’s lawyer Chirag Patel told the court that while his client had not been diagnosed with any mental health problems, he had “concerns” about Nugent’s mental health and wanted him to see a medical practitioner.

It is understood Nugent will undergo a mental health assessment before police interview him about the alleged attack on Haines.