Australians have donated more than $350,000 in less than 24 hours to Save the Children in honour of independent MP Helen Haines, who remains in a critical condition after her alleged attack earlier this week.
The campaign was set up at the behest of Dr Haines and her family, with her husband Phil urging supporters to donate to the charity instead of buying flowers.
“We are deeply moved that Helen, her husband Phil, her family and her team are thinking of children in need and we would like to thank them for their kindness,” Save the Children Australia chief executive Matt Tinkler said on Thursday.
“That they want to do something positive for children when they are facing such a devastating situation speaks volumes about their generosity and compassion.
“The thoughts of everyone at Save the Children are with Helen, Phil, their loved ones and their community during this incredibly difficult time, and we wish Helen a steady recovery.
“The support Australians have shown for Helen, and for Save the Children, through their donations has been overwhelming.
“We will work closely with Helen and her family to ensure that every dollar so generously donated supports vulnerable children in our region and on causes that are close to her heart, such as maternal and child healthcare or early childhood education.”
Ms Haines was on Monday allegedly struck twice by a four-wheel drive outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria.
Fronting media on Wednesday, Mr Haines confirmed surgeons were forced to amputate both of his wife’s legs.
But Mr Haines said she was alive and stable, and her “heart and mind” remained strong.
“Helen’s road to recovery will be long and difficult, but we know she is a fighter,” he said.
“She is a determined person who will do her best with our support and love to recover, and that is what we hope for.”
Some 200 people gathered at Wodonga, about 60km from Wangaratta, on Wednesday evening for a vigil in support of the federal member for Indi.
Supporters wearing Dr Haines’ signature orange campaign shirts embraced and signed books with messages wishing her well.
Former Indi MP Cathy McGowan, who held the seat before Dr Haines, attended the vigil and urged Australians to unite against political violence.
“Her brain, her wisdom and her personality are still going to be with us,” Ms McGowan told the ABC.
The gathering followed another vigil at Wangaratta’s Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral on Tuesday, where hundreds prayed for Dr Haines and the bystanders who rushed to her aid.
Floral tributes, gifts and handwritten messages have continued to accumulate outside her Murphy St electorate office.
WA incident
The outpouring of support comes as authorities investigate a separate alleged threat against the staff of a West Australian politician.
A 56-year-old man was arrested after allegedly entering WA Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley’s electorate office in Victoria Park, inner-city Perth, while armed with nunchucks on Wednesday afternoon.
WA Police said officers responded to reports of a disturbance at the Albany Highway office about 1.15pm.
The man allegedly made verbal threats while carrying the weapon before being apprehended in nearby Bentley.
No injuries were reported and no charges had been laid as of Wednesday night.
Ms Beazley, the daughter of former deputy prime minister Kim Beazley, was not at the office at the time but described the incident as confronting.
“I have spoken to my staff, who are understandably shaken and upset by what took place,” she said.
“Everyone has the right to go about our lives free from the fear of violence, at work, at home and in the community.”
The incidents have renewed scrutiny of threats against Australian politicians, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for less aggressive political debate.
“We all have a responsibility to turn the temperature down,” he said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Brendan Nugent, 43, appeared in Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged over the alleged attack on Dr Haines.
Mr Nugent faces charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and the Commonwealth offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
He did not apply for bail and is expected to face a committal hearing on February 4, 2027.