The driver who allegedly rammed Independent MP Helen Haines with a four-wheel-drive outside her Victorian electorate office has been identified as Brendan Nugent.
The 43-year-old man has been in police custody since his arrest on Monday after he allegedly rammed the 65-year-old Indi MP with a Toyota LandCruiser about 3.35pm.
Acting superintendent Ashley Mason said on Tuesday morning the Tarrawingee man was known to Victorian Police.
Dr Haines — who has been the member since 2019 — had been retrieving items from the boot of her car at the time of the alleged attack in Wangaratta.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Tuesday confirmed that the accused had performed a U-turn to allegedly ram Dr Haines with his four-wheel-drive before then reversing “to do it a second time”.
Authorities are still investigating the incident but the motive remains unknown from their brief but not yet formal interview with Mr Nugent.
It’s understood the man has previously been vocal about grievances with international affairs and the environment.
Acting supt Mason also said detectives were looking at CCTV, evidence from the crime scene and speaking to eyewitnesses as part of their investigation.
Bystanders, including barber Ricky Jefferies, had pulled the accused man out of the car and detained him after the alleged attack before authorities arrived.
Mr Burke labelled bystanders, like Mr Jefferies, a “hero” for their actions.
“I don’t think that I’m a hero, I think I just was a person who had an opportunity to intervene in a safe-ish sort of way,” Mr Jefferies told reporters on Tuesday.
“He did have a knife, he didn’t pull it out, I just wasn’t comfortable with his movements.
“I basically just took it out of his pocket and threw it away.”
Police have launched a major police investigation including Australian Federal Police, ASIO, Victorian Police and the state’s joint-counter terrorism team.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said in a statement on Tuesday that initial investigations indicated it was an “isolated incident” and there were no known, ongoing threats.
“At this stage it appears this is an isolated incident, and there are no known threats connected to this matter,” she said.
Ms Barrett said Victoria Police’s Security Investigation Unit was leading the probe, supported by the Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team.
“Victoria Police and the AFP are working closely together to identify potential charges,” she said.
“Which may include state and Commonwealth offences, such as the offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.”
She said the AFP had regularly publicly outlined concerns about the growing threats against high office holders and undertaken measures to assist their safety.
It has included establishing National Security Investigations (NSI) teams in October last year, which she described as a “flying squad of hate disrupters who focus on high-harm, high-impact politically motivated violence, communal violence and hate crimes”
“Since the NSI teams were established, 41 individuals have been charged for offences relating to threats against federal parliamentarians and high office holders,” she said.
“The AFP provides regular briefings to parliamentarians about their safety and security, and further briefings will be undertaken soon.
“The AFP’s thoughts are with Dr Haines and her family at this time.”
More to come.
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