Man charged after Australian MP struck by vehicle

Australian MP Helen Haines remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle in Victoria state.

The full report

A 43-year-old man has been charged in connection with the alleged attack on Australian MP Helen Haines in Victoria state. The incident occurred on Monday outside Haines' office in Wangaratta, where she was struck by a car twice before being airlifted to a Melbourne hospital for surgery.

According to police, the suspect will face charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a public official. The police will also allege that the incident was targeted.

Haines, 65, remains in a critical but stable condition after undergoing surgery. She has reportedly lost one of her legs as a result of the incident. The community in Wangaratta is in shock following the alleged attack.

The suspect's father, Rod Nugent, and his partner, Christine Cunningham, have released a statement expressing their shock and devastation at the incident. They stated that they had been friends with Haines for over 20 years and thanked residents and officers who helped her after the incident.

A local barber, Ricky Jefferies, has also come forward, stating that he pulled the suspect from the car and threw away his knife. Another person sat in front of the car, according to Jefferies.

The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of Australian politicians, with threats to politicians reportedly on the rise before the incident.