Lawmaker Helen Haines. alamy
Wangaratta
Australia’s Governor-General urged the country to embrace “decency” following the attack on a lawmaker.
AUSTRALIAN LAWMAKER HELEN Haines, who was deliberately hit by a car this week, has had both legs removed following the attack, her husband said.
“Helen’s left leg was amputated on Monday. We had been hoping that her right leg would be saved, but as of this afternoon and this morning, the surgeons had to also remove her right leg,” Phil Haines said at a Melbourne hospital, where the lawmaker remains in a critical condition.
Haines added that he was “overwhelmed” by the support his family had received since the alleged attack.
“I thank all those from across the country and internationally. We have been actually overwhelmed by some of the support we’ve received.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn urged the country on Wednesday to embrace “decency” following the attack on a lawmaker.
“Australians are yearning for kindness and care, and they’re asking us why we’ve lost the great skill of disagreeing well and with decency to each other,” Mostyn said alongside Helen’s husband Phil.
The independent lawmaker, 65, was standing near the boot of her car when she was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser on Monday afternoon.
The 43-year-old male driver of the vehicle was known to police.
He was charged on Tuesday with dangerous driving causing serious injury and intentionally causing serious injury, as well as the federal crime of harming a public official, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
“Police will allege the incident was targeted,” Victoria Police said.
The man will appear in court in Wangaratta today.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led an outpouring of support for Haines, who was widely praised for her efforts to increase transparency in politics and crack down on corruption.
Her attack has also sparked soul-searching in a country where political violence is rare, but police have documented a steady rise in threats and abuse directed towards elected officials in recent years.