Breaking: Police not ruling out further serious charges over Helen Haines attack

Further serious charges may be laid against a Victorian man over his alleged attack on Indi MP Helen Haines on Monday.

Brendan Nugent, 43, has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.

Ms Haines, 65, remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) told a press conference this morning they have not ruled out laying further charges, including attempted murder.

"While I say this investigation is far from complete, we are not ruling out further serious charges," Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said.

"I want to further add that we have deployed a number of staff into Wangaratta to give assurance to members of the public.

"We do believe this was a deliberate but isolated act."

Chief Commissioner Bush said there were no "intelligence holdings" against Mr Nugent and police had no information to suggest he was an "immediate threat". 

Details of Mr Nugent's previous brushes with the law have emerged since he was arrested on Monday.

He was charged with breaching an interim personal safety intervention order in July 2022 at Tarrawingee, where he lives.

The case went to Wangaratta Magistrates' Court.

Court records show the charges were dismissed in December, 2022 and the matter was finalised.

Chief Commissioner Bush said police would investigate whether the 43-year-old was involved in the sovereign citizen movement or whether the attack was personal.

"His motivation for this, what we allege is a deliberate attack, is very much a centrepiece of the investigation," he said.

Two police officers were killed in nearby Porepunkah in August last year by self-proclaimed "sovereign citizen" Dezi Freeman.

Mr Bush said Ms Haines had been a huge support to local officers and the community during that time.

"She gave wonderful support to local police, and I know that my colleagues there absolutely appreciate what she did and continues to do for them," he said.

Unlawful behaviour towards MPs increasing

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said authorities had been seeing an increase in unlawful behaviour towards parliamentarians, with "almost one individual every week" charged for targeting Commonwealth officials.

"I hope that this terrible event — that will forever change the life of the member for Indi and her family — gives our country time to pause and reflect on the growing threats and unlawful behaviour against those who hold a Commonwealth office in Australia," she said.

Victoria Police said it would leverage its state command and coordination centre to ensure it was across further political threats.

"Especially leading up to the election, against any politicians in this state, to make sure there is a centralised place of reporting, a place where we can proactively search for any threats and ensure that we act quickly and we act proactively," Chief Commissioner Bush said.