Independent federal MP Dr Helen Haines woke from surgery after losing both legs in an alleged car attack and her first concerns were for her staff and gratitude to first responders, nurses and bystanders, Parliament has heard.
Haines was reportedly pinned between a Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 and another car in a deliberate attack outside her office in Wangaratta, rural Victoria, last Monday. She was airlifted to hospital in Melbourne and required emergency surgery, her husband said last week. Despite doctors' best efforts, both of her legs had to be amputated.
Parliament pays tribute
Australia's federal Parliament met for the first time since the attack on Monday, October 26. A seat was left empty out of respect as fellow independent MP Allegra Spender told MPs what Dr Haines' first words were when she woke up from surgery.
Spender said: "Phil told us about your first words when you woke up after the [alleged] attack, and said that your first concerns when you awoke were for your staff and gratitude to the first responders, nurses and bystanders.
"That exactly speaks to the character of who you are. People have spoken about your empathy and grace, and they deserve recognition.
"But I think it paints a sort of picture of you as a sort of benign force wandering through the parliament. What I will say is that you are also a force for change."
Suspect charged and remanded
Brendan Nugent, from Tarrawingee near Wangaratta, was charged last Tuesday with intentionally causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing serious injury and causing harm to a federal official. Officers say he could face more charges.
Nugent made his first appearance in court last Wednesday. At Wangaratta Magistrates' Court, less than one minute's walk from the scene of the incident, he did not apply for bail or enter a plea, according to Australian Associated Press. He will remain in custody until his next court appearance in February.
Politicians in Australia are now being urged to sign up to the 'civility pledge', calling for more respectful debate in public life, which was created in the wake of Jo Cox's murder in Birstall during the Brexit referendum campaign 10 years ago.
