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From 2h ago Haines’s alleged attacker has neurological condition, says lawyer Caitlin Cassidy Brendan Nugent has not requested bail and will remain in custody until a committal mention on 4 February. Magistrate Allison Vaughan noted he had mental health and neurological concerns and it was his first time in custody. He is not on any prescribed medication and his lawyer said he was not withdrawing from any substances, however Vaughan asked a mental health professional to see him immediately after appearing in court.
His lawyer, Chirag Patel , said he was also suffering from concussion and idiopathic transverse myelitis – a neurological condition. Brendan Nugent departs from the Wangaratta magistrates court. Photograph: James Ross/AAP Key events 2h ago Haines’s alleged attacker has neurological condition, says lawyer 3h ago AFP chief says one person charged every week for targeting parliamentarians 3h ago Motive of alleged attacker still not known following police interview: PM 4h ago Helen Haines remains in critical condition, hospital says 5h ago ‘This is your moment to think about what your politics looks like’, says sister of murdered UK MP 6h ago Alleged attacker appearing at Wangaratta magistrates court this morning Krishani Dhanji Haines remains in critical condition says PM Anthony Albanese tells News24 he has spoken to Helen Haines’ husband this morning and that she remains in critical condition in hospital:" double quotation mark Helen remains in a critical condition ...
It’s up to the family to make further statements when and and if they think that’s appropriate. He talks again about how broadly respected Haines is across the parliament. Krishani Dhanji PM details security briefings for parliamentarians Parliamentarians are receiving briefings all day today from the ASIO boss, head of the department of home affairs and Australian federal police, following the alleged attack on Helen Haines .
Anthony Albanese, who just attended a briefing for Labor MPs, said it was an opportunity for them to ask questions or raise concerns with the security bosses. The crossbench and Coalition will get separate briefings today. Anthony Albanese meeting with law enforcement heads in Melbourne after alleged attack of Helen Haines Photograph: Con Chronis/EPA double quotation mark Albanese tells News24: There’s been an increase in funding for security for members of Parliament in the last couple of years, and this is an opportunity for people who feel anxious to be able to ask questions as well of the security agencies as well as the Department of Home Affairs.
Albanese is asked whether all parliamentarians could get individual security personnel. He says: double quotation mark I think that risk assessments are made, and those risk assessments are done as best as possible. But here in this tragic circumstance with Helen Haines, she was getting something out of the boot of her car.
Now people do need to go about their business. Henry Belot One of Nugent ’s neighbours in Tarrawingee was in the courtroom as Nugent appeared. The neighbour, who asked for their name to withhold, said they were shaking but “wanted to look him in the eye”.
“I felt it was something I needed to do,” the neighbour said. He added: double quotation mark I didn’t know if I was doing the right thing, but I’m really glad I have now. It’s like it’s finishing off a very bad chapter in our life.
Brendan Nugent in 2019. Photograph: PR IMAGE Caitlin Cassidy Alleged attacker leaves court in police van Brendan Nugent has been charged with additional offences, on top of the three other charges he is facing. The fourth charge was revealed in a summary of charges released to the media- alleging he cultivated and used cannabis This is in addition to the charges of of dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally cause serious injury and the commonwealth offence of causing harm to a commonwealth public official.
His lawyer, Chirag Patel , has just exited court in Wangaratta and declined to speak to the media. Nugent has also left the court via a police van. Brendan Nugent departs in a police van from the Wangaratta magistrates court.
Photograph: James Ross/AAP Nugent’s lawyer describes his client’s neurological condition Brendan Nugent ’s lawyer revealed details about his client’s medical condition – idiopathic transverse myelitis – at this morning’s hearing. It is an inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord which leads to loss of muscle power, sensory symptoms (pins and needles) and bladder and bowel dysfunction, according to the Brain Foundation. Treatment depends on the underlying cause but can include intravenous steroids and other drugs to suppress inflammation.
In the majority of cases, there will be some residual impairment in limb function. Caitlin Cassidy Brendan Nugent ’s hearing has wrapped after a matter of minutes. He appeared at Wangaratta district court on Wednesday morning, looking downcast in a grey jumper, before being removed from the court.
Haines’s alleged attacker has neurological condition, says lawyer Caitlin Cassidy Brendan Nugent has not requested bail and will remain in custody until a committal mention on 4 February. Magistrate Allison Vaughan noted he had mental health and neurological concerns and it was his first time in custody. He is not on any prescribed medication and his lawyer said he was not withdrawing from any substances, however Vaughan asked a mental health professional to see him immediately after appearing in court.
His lawyer, Chirag Patel , said he was also suffering from concussion and idiopathic transverse myelitis – a neurological condition. Brendan Nugent departs from the Wangaratta magistrates court. Photograph: James Ross/AAP Barrett says AFP ‘didn’t have any specific intelligence’ on alleged attacker’s political views Krissy Barrett was asked about the increasingly radicalised political views the man accused of attacking Helen Haines allegedly posted on social media.
The AFP commissioner was asked whether the AFP was aware of any of his posts on X and other social media. “We didn’t have any specific intelligence that would have indicated something as atrocious as happened on Monday afternoon,” Barrett said. “We absolutely do proactively use online capabilities to gather intelligence and a huge part of my priority as the commissioner is: how do we better utilise technology?
“You would understand that the increasing volume of online communication becomes increasingly more difficult for our agencies to be right across.” Anthony Albanese speaks with AFP commissioner Krissy Barrett. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP Image/AP Barrett told reporters: “I can confirm we had no holdings or no intelligence to suggest that there was any threat to MP Haines.” The AFP will give politicians a series of security briefings in Canberra today. Public continue to leave flowers at Haines’s electoral office Helen Haines ’s electoral office is less than 100 metres from Wangaratta magistrates court, where Brendan Nugent is expected to appear after 10am.
This morning, the court is surrounded by media cameras awaiting his arrival, while her office remains shuttered. Dozens of flowers and cards have been left for her in the hours since her attack, many in her signature orange. “To doctor Helen Haines, to show you some support you’ve shown us through difficult times,” one reads from the eastern region of Victoria police.
Another, in child’s writing, says simply: “To Helen Haines, you’re very nice.” Hordes of cards and flowers have been left at Helen Haines’ electoral office. Photograph: Caitlin Cassidy/The Guardian Locals in Wangaratta community have told Guardian Australia they feel shaken by the attack on MP Helen Haines. Photograph: Caitlin Cassidy/The Guardian Cards and flowers left at Helen Haines' electoral office which is less than 100 metres from Wangaratta Magistrates' Court, where Brendan Nugent is expected to appear after 9.30am.
Photograph: Caitlin Cassidy/The Guardian ‘Criminal threat environment is febrile’: AFP commissioner Speaking at the same press conference, the Australian Federal Police commissioner Krissy Barrett has said the current “criminal threat environment is febrile”. Barrett said national security investigations teams were established late last year to target people who threaten commonwealth parliamentarians or high office holders. double quotation mark The purpose of setting them up was because of the increasing number of threats and the increasing number of reports that we’re receiving from parliamentarians and from their staff, but also our own proactive intelligence work in terms of identifying and addressing these threats and this type of communication, particularly in the online space. AFP chief says one person charged every week for targeting parliamentarians The Australian federal police commissioner, Krissy Barrett , says police are “charging almost one individual every week for targeting commonwealth parliamentarians or high office holders”. double quotation mark When it comes to federal parliamentarians, the AFP continues to record the growing volume of online abuse, threatening rhetoric, and intimidation, increasing political polarisation, and antigovernment sentiment, conspiracy-driven and grievance-based behaviours, lone actors motivated by a convergence of personal grievance, mental health vulnerabilities, and ideological concerns, and the potential for violence to emerge with little or no forewarning – particularly where individuals have no previous protection intelligence footprint.
AFP charging almost one person a week for targeting politicians, says commissioner - video Police considering further charges against alleged attacker The chief commissioner of Victoria police, Mike Bush , has told reporters the 43-year-old charged over the alleged attack on Helen Haines was currently facing three charges: the commonwealth offence of causing harm to a commonwealth public official; and two state charges of intentionally causing serious harm, and dangerous driving causing serious harm. But Bush said police were considering further serious charges. He was asked directly whether the man could be charged with attempted murder. double quotation mark That’s always a consideration.
Of course, we have to locate and follow the evidence, but this is a very serious and tragic incident, and we will be looking at all serious charges. But, of course, we have to have the evidence to support those charges.
Source: The Guardian
