Independent MP Helen Haines privately lobbied the prime minister for urgent rural health funding just five days before she is alleged to have been mowed down outside her electorate office by a man whose lawyer says is suffering from mental and chronic health conditions.
ABC News understands Ms Haines handed Anthony Albanese an annotated copy of the Forgotten Health Spend: A Report on the Expenditure Deficit in Rural Australia 2026 in a special crossbench catch-up with the prime minister last Wednesday to highlight a growing $2.7 billion expenditure gap between metropolitan and regional areas.
Sources with knowledge of the meeting who spoke with the ABC on the condition of anonymity said the health funding disparity between the cities and bush had been raised.
They said Mr Albanese listened to the array of concerns raised by crossbenchers during the meeting and noted that "a lot of people ask for money".
A spokesperson for Mr Albanese said the prime minister often met with independent members of the crossbench and had done since 2022.
"Members are free to raise any issues and we follow up," they said.
Haines, a former nurse and maternal health expert, has long campaigned for additional support for regional services, using her maiden speech to call for timely access to mental health care that "should not be reliant on your postcode nor your ability to pay once your 10 Medicare-funded services run out".
That reality is acutely felt in her hometown where local council health data shows Wangaratta records 23.7 registered mental health clients per 1,000 residents, almost double the Victorian average of 11.9.
She remains in a critical but stable condition at the Alfred hospital in Melbourne after having both legs amputated.
Court appearance and parliamentary security
Brendan Nugent, who is alleged to have deliberately struck the MP twice using his four-wheel drive, is facing charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and the federal offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
His lawyer told Wangaratta Magistrates' Court on Wednesday that Mr Nugent had mental health concerns and a neurological condition.
Monday's horror incident has become a flashpoint for parliamentarian security, with a special briefing from ASIO, AFP and Department of Home Affairs officials on Wednesday warning that high-office holders were facing a spike in violent threats driven by personal grievances or by motives that "aren't always rational".
The attack is driving renewed calls for better mental and rural health services in areas such as Haines's tight-knit community.
Her crossbench colleagues are expected to raise the issue when parliament returns on Monday.
Friction over document
It comes as Mr Albanese downplayed a document created by his office against Ms Haines in September after she called out a $6m grant to the prime minister's local golf course.
The file, seen by the ABC, is titled: In the past two years — the member for Indi has asked for more than $1.8 billion worth of funding for projects she's selected.
Anthony Albanese has downplayed a document created by his office against Ms Haines in September. (ABC News: Adam Kennedy)
It lists possible questions journalists could pursue regarding funding requests Ms Haines had made on behalf of her local community, including whether she had received undeclared gifts.
Mr Albanese told ABC Radio today the document was not a personal criticism of the MP.
"Let's be very clear because apparently it's been published somewhere. It's a list of funding asks from Helen Haines, just showing that people of integrity stand up for their electorate," he said.
"No personal criticism of Helen. Helen is a strong advocate for her electorate. She's advocated for funding for projects in her electorate."
The National Audit Office is considering an audit of the program.