Man allegedly behind 'targeted' attack on Australian lawmaker due in court

WANGARATTA: The man alleged to have critically wounded Australian lawmaker Helen Haines in a "targeted" attack was due to appear in court on Wednesday, as police warned that growing extremism online was fuelling political polarisation.

Haines is in a "critical but stable condition" in a Melbourne hospital after being struck by a car on Monday near her office in Wangaratta, just over 200km northeast of the Victoria state capital, police said on Wednesday.

Police have charged 43-year-old Brendan Nugent with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and the federal offence of harming a public official, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

He is due to appear in court in Wangaratta on Wednesday.

The attack has prompted soul-searching in a country where political violence is rare, but where police have documented a steady rise in threats and abuse directed at elected officials in recent years.

The alleged attacker's motive remains unknown, and authorities have refused to speculate while the investigation is ongoing.

However, police said on Wednesday they were examining all possible leads, including whether he may have held radical anti-government views.

"Like everyone, we're examining social media associations, talking to witnesses, friends and colleagues," Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush told journalists.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett said there was a growing level of "extremist views" online.

"The current criminal threat environment is febrile, and when it comes to federal parliamentarians, the AFP continues to record the growing volume of online abuse, threatening rhetoric, and intimidation," she said.

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Soul-searching

The independent lawmaker, 65, was standing near the boot of her car when she was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser on Monday afternoon.

Local media reported that she had undergone surgery, lost one of her legs and was fighting to save the other.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led an outpouring of support for Haines, who has been widely praised for her efforts to increase transparency in politics and crack down on corruption.

He has also lamented that political debate in Australia has become too heated and personal in recent years.

"It's important in a democracy that people are allowed to have disagreements," he said.

"But that doesn't mean that you have to draw into question people's motivations or their patriotism or who they are."

"We've seen, I think, political discourse go in the wrong direction in recent times," he said.

Australia's spy agency chief, Mike Burgess, warned after the alleged attack that "elevated levels of grievance, intolerance and polarisation continue to create a permissive environment of violence".

Haines entered parliament in 2019 after working as a nurse and midwife, becoming known for positions such as supporting stronger climate action.