The sister of murdered UK MP Jo Cox has urged for Australians to unite after Independent MP Helen Haines was critically injured outside her electorate, in what she said could be a turning point for the country.
Ms Haines remains fighting for life two days after she was allegedly mowed down by Brendan Nugent, 43, outside her Wangaratta office.
Nugent has since been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and the Commonwealth offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
Police allege the incident was targeted.
Speaking on ABC’s 7.30, the sister of UK MP Jo Cox, who was murdered by a far-right extremist in 2016, has since urged Australians to stay united, warning the country could be facing a turning point.
Ms Cox’s sister Kim Leadbeater, who is the current MP in the constituency formerly held by her sister, said she was one of the “few people’ who could “understand a little bit of what (Ms Haines’ family) are going through”.
She urged Australians to stay united after the alleged attack.
“Maybe for Australia this is your moment to think about what your politics looks like and how we can bring people together (and) find common ground,” she said.
Ms Leadbeater said the same conversations began a decade prior when her sister was murdered, something she said was “frustrating” to continue having.
“Things don’t happen in a vacuum and horrendous attacks and incidents like this don’t happen in isolation,” she said.
“They are part of a wider culture around politics and society (and) we all have a role to play in that.”
Ms Haines lost a leg in the incident and remains in a critical but stable condition as surgeons work tirelessly to save her other leg.
Police allege Nugent, who was behind the wheel of a white Toyota LandCruiser, performed a U-turn before targeting Ms Haines about 3.35pm Monday.
Footage obtained by the ABC appears to show the Toyota reversing away from Ms Haines’ orange car.
Ms Haines was taking things from the boot of her car when she was allegedly struck twice by Nugent.
He has since been charged and will face Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
More to come