Helen Haines improves to serious but stable as Parliament returns
Australian MP Helen Haines is now serious but stable, up from critical, her hospital said Saturday. It was her first gain since the alleged attack at her office on October 19, which cost her both legs. Parliament met in Canberra Monday without her, with tighter security and time for MPs to back her.
Indi MP Helen Haines has improved from critical to serious but stable in hospital, The Alfred in Melbourne said Saturday morning. "The patient is in a serious but stable condition at The Alfred on Saturday morning," a hospital spokesperson said, The Guardian reported. ABC News said it was her first gain since she was flown to the hospital on October 19.
Haines, 65, was struck by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria, that Monday afternoon. Police allege it was a deliberate attack. Doctors removed her left leg that day. Her husband, Phil Haines, said Wednesday that her right leg had also been removed. He said her heart and her mind were in good shape.
Parliament returned in Canberra on Monday with her seat empty, ABC News reported. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese planned a motion to set aside normal business so MPs could voice their support for her. The Speaker and the Senate President wrote to MPs Friday that security would rise in some areas of Parliament House. Some crossbench MPs backed a civility pledge, and Haines was the first MP to sign it earlier this year, ABC said.
Federal police chief Krissy Barrett said Sunday on ABC's Insiders that police have not yet found a motive, SBS News reported. She said reports about the accused man's mental health and the causes he aligned himself with remain part of the probe. Barrett also warned of a link between heated political talk and threats against politicians, ABC said.
Brendan Nugent, 43, of nearby Tarrawingee, faces charges that include dangerous driving causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. He did not apply for bail at his Wednesday court hearing and will be back in court next year. No new charges were reported over the weekend.
This update follows an earlier NewsHabit card on the police probe and the Haines family.
What we know: Haines is now serious but stable, Parliament has met with added security, and police say no motive has been found yet.
What we don't: How long her recovery will take, and what drove the alleged attack.
Where outlets agree ABC News and The Guardian both report that The Alfred upgraded Haines to serious but stable on Saturday.
Where they differ The cited reports agree on the key facts so far.