MELBOURNE: Australian lawmaker Helen Haines has had both legs removed, her husband told journalists on Wednesday, after what police called a "targeted" attack.
Haines is in a stable condition at a Melbourne hospital after being struck by a car on Monday near her office in the town of Wangaratta, more than 200 kilometres northeast of the Victoria state capital.
Speaking at the hospital on Wednesday, her husband Phil said that surgeons had been forced to remove both her legs.
"But the good news in all this is Helen is alive and she's stable. That is the most important thing for our family," he said.
"The two most important parts of Helen for us as a family are her heart and her mind," he said.
"Her heart is huge. She is a very compassionate, caring, loving person."
The man alleged to have wounded Haines, in what police have called a "targeted" attack, faced court earlier on Wednesday.
Police have charged 43-year-old Brendan Nugent 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.
He has also been charged with cultivating a cannabis plant and possession of the drug, according to court documents
In another report, the family of Nugent, had been friends with her for more than 20 years, according to ABC on Wednesday, citing the suspect's relatives, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
"Helen has been our friend for more than 20 years and what happened to her yesterday is devastating and unfathomable," Nugent's father, Rod Nugent, told ABC.
The accused's relatives described Haines as a deeply respected and beloved member of the local community and expressed their support for her family.
According to investigators, Brendan Nugent intentionally struck Haines twice with a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV near her parliamentary office in Wangaratta, Victoria, on Monday afternoon.
The suspect defence lawyer said Nugent suffers from a rare neurological condition, idiopathic transverse myelitis, which affects the spinal cord, and had also sustained a concussion.
Nugent has been charged with dangerous driving, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a federal public official.
The judge ordered Nugent to undergo a medical examination.
He is not seeking bail and will remain in custody until his next hearing on Feb 4, 2027.
The motive for the attack has not been established.
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