Australian MP Loses Leg in Car Attack, Alleged Assailant Was a Family Friend

The identity of the man accused of attempting to kill independent Australian MP Helen Haines has raised fresh questions following a horrific car attack that left the 65-year-old parliamentarian without one of her legs. Brendan Newsant, 43, has been arrested over the alleged attack. His family had been friends with Haines for more than two decades, leaving relatives and members of the local community stunned by the allegations. Police are now investigating what may have prompted the alleged assault.

The incident occurred on Monday outside Haines’s electorate office in Wangaratta, in Victoria. Newsant is accused of repeatedly striking Haines with a Toyota LandCruiser. She sustained serious injuries, and doctors were forced to amputate one of her legs. Medical staff at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital are working to save her remaining leg.

Newsant’s father, Rod Newsant, said his family had maintained a friendship with Haines for about 20 years. Describing the alleged incident as a “terrible crime”, he pledged to assist police with their investigation. He also said his son’s behaviour had appeared unusual over the past few months.

The longstanding relationship between the families, along with Newsant’s previous expressions of support for Haines, has raised questions about the alleged attack’s motive. Detectives reportedly questioned him on Tuesday. Police have said the reason for the alleged attack remains unclear.

Environmental Activist Who Had Supported Haines

According to information released by police, Brendan Newsant is an environmental activist who holds a postgraduate degree in environmental science from the University of Melbourne. He has also been outspoken on social media about environmental issues, international politics and the war in Gaza.

Haines, an independent MP, has long advocated environmental protection. She has also criticised the Australian government’s response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the suffering of Palestinians. On these issues, Newsant’s publicly expressed views appeared to align with hers.

Newsant had previously voiced his support for Haines on social media. After she was elected to parliament, he shared a Facebook post backing her. He also criticised what he described as an anti-independent campaign funded by the conservative party in her electorate, tagging Haines in the post.

These apparent similarities in their political views have added to the puzzlement surrounding the alleged attack. It remains unclear why Newsant would allegedly target someone whose political work he had previously supported.

Newsant Frequently Expressed Political Anger Online

Newsant regularly posted political commentary online, particularly expressing anger over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

In a 2024 post, he criticised former British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer after Starmer called for an end to the war in Gaza. Newsant alleged that Israel’s continued bombing of civilians in Rafah was enabled by Western countries providing diplomatic cover and military assistance.

He also posted criticism of Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, accusing her of allowing Israel to escape accountability for the deaths of thousands of children.

However, it has not been established whether these social media posts had any direct connection to the alleged attack on Haines. Police have not identified a specific political, personal or other motive.

Haines’s Political Background

Helen Haines is the independent federal MP for the electorate of Indi. Before entering politics, she worked as a midwife. Healthcare and environmental protection have been among the key issues in her political career.

After being elected in 2019, she pledged to be a strong voice for environmental protection. She also supported proposed reforms to Australia’s conservation laws that would introduce tougher penalties for activities causing serious environmental damage.

Haines has repeatedly spoken about the plight of Palestinians and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Although her views on these issues appear to overlap with opinions Newsant expressed online, those similarities do not establish a motive for the alleged attack.

Father Says His Son’s Behaviour Had Changed in Recent Months

In a statement, Rod Newsant described Haines as a deeply respected, valued and much-loved member of the local community. He said she had been a friend of the family for more than 20 years.

Rod said what had happened to Haines was devastating and beyond comprehension. He expressed his family’s support for Haines, her family and her friends, and pledged to cooperate with police.

According to Rod, his son’s behaviour had appeared unusual over the past few months. Newsant had also reportedly written on social media about experiencing chronic pain and facing financial hardship.

Investigators may examine whether Newsant had any mental health issues. However, no definitive information about his mental state has been made public, and police have not established any direct link between a possible mental health condition and the alleged attack.

How the Attack Unfolded

On Monday, Haines attended the opening of a dog park in her electorate. She was later unloading items from the back of her car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta when a white Toyota LandCruiser allegedly drove towards her.

According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle made a U-turn on the main road through Tarrawingee, east of Wangaratta, before entering a car park. The driver allegedly struck Haines, then reversed and hit her again.

One witness told Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald that they saw the vehicle strike Haines several times.

Her injuries were so severe that doctors had to amputate one of her legs. She is receiving treatment at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital, where medical staff are trying to save her other leg. She was initially taken to a local hospital before being airlifted to Melbourne.

Bystanders Disarmed Suspect and Held Him Until Police Arrived

Several bystanders rushed to help Haines after the alleged attack. According to their accounts, Newsant had a knife and was speaking incoherently.

Ricky Jeffreys, a salon worker, ran towards the vehicle, pulled Newsant out and restrained him until police arrived. Cody Lapoydevin, a shop worker, also came to assist.

Jeffreys said Newsant had a knife but had not taken it out. Concerned by the suspect’s movements, Jeffreys said he removed the knife from his pocket and threw it away.

Other bystanders applied a temporary bandage to Haines’s injured leg and called police for emergency assistance. Officers arrived shortly afterwards and arrested Newsant.

Police Yet to Establish a Motive

Following Newsant’s arrest over the alleged attack on Haines, police are examining his personal circumstances, recent behaviour, social media activity and the events leading up to the incident.

The family’s longstanding friendship with Haines, Newsant’s previous support for her and reports of changes in his behaviour in recent months have raised several questions for investigators. None of these details, however, has established a specific motive.

The investigation may clarify whether the alleged attack stemmed from a personal dispute, a mental health-related issue or another factor. For now, police are working to establish why a man who had known the MP and her family for decades is accused of carrying out such a violent attack against her.

Source: The Telegraph.