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Brendan Nugent Charged After Ramming MP Helen Haines

By Drooid · Oct 21, 2026, 1:57 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Police charged Brendan Nugent with dangerous driving, intentional injury and harming a Commonwealth official.
The charges relate to Nugent’s ramming of MP Helen Haines at her Wangaratta office on October 19.
Haines, 65, lost a leg and suffered critical lower-body injuries, remaining in stable condition.
Barber Ricky Jefferies intervened, restraining Nugent and removing a knife from his vehicle.
Police searched Nugent’s Great Alpine Road property, seizing a knife and cannabis items.

History

Historical Context

On 13 February 1978 a bomb exploded outside Sydney’s Hilton Hotel during the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, killing three and injuring nine. The attack, later linked to Ananda Marga members, was described as Australia’s first domestic terrorist incident and spurred the 1977 Hope Royal Commission, expanding ASIO’s counter-terrorism role. Those reforms set the framework for later security upgrades protecting officials.

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Story summary

Police charged Brendan Nugent with dangerous driving, intentional injury and harming a Commonwealth official.
The charges relate to Nugent’s ramming of MP Helen Haines at her Wangaratta office on October 19.
Haines, 65, lost a leg and suffered critical lower-body injuries, remaining in stable condition.
Barber Ricky Jefferies intervened, restraining Nugent and removing a knife from his vehicle.
Police searched Nugent’s Great Alpine Road property, seizing a knife and cannabis items.

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