Australians are rallying around independent MP Helen Haines following the shocking attack that has left her fighting for her life, with candlelight vigils, flowers and heartfelt messages of support offering a powerful show of love for the much-respected parliamentarian.
But amid the extraordinary outpouring of compassion, her husband Phil has delivered a heartbreaking update, confirming that the 65-year-old has now lost both legs.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his wife was deliberately struck by a car outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday, Mr Haines acknowledged that the road ahead would be long and difficult.
Yet he was determined to focus on the woman he knows and loves, describing his wife as a fighter whose courage and determination remain undiminished.
“She is a fighter,” he said.
The couple, who are approaching their 40th wedding anniversary, have three children and two grandchildren, including a new addition to the family.
Mr Haines said that despite the devastating physical injuries, his wife’s heart and mind remained strong.
He expressed deep gratitude to the emergency workers, medical teams, office staff and members of the public who had helped his wife, as well as the countless Australians who had sent messages of support.
The emotional update came as hundreds of people gathered at Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Wangaratta to pray for Ms Haines and her family.
There were tears and embraces as residents struggled to comprehend the violence that had unfolded in their normally peaceful regional community.
Wangaratta Bishop Clarence Bester, who organised the vigil, said the community was devastated by what had happened to a woman known for her compassion and dedication to others.
“People are devastated. It’s the question of how did this happen? Why did this happen?” he told ABC News Breakfast.
He said the gathering had provided an opportunity for residents to comfort one another and reflect on the woman who has represented their electorate since 2019.
Outside Ms Haines’ office, bouquets of flowers and handwritten messages have continued to pile up, with some residents travelling from neighbouring towns to leave their own tributes.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn joined Phil Haines at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital on Wednesday, delivering an emotional appeal for Australians to stand beside the injured MP and her family.
“We’ve got to stand by Helen in the next few days; it’s day-by-day as you’ve heard,” Ms Mostyn said.
She urged Australians to draw strength from the compassion shown in the wake of the attack, rather than allowing anger and division to take hold.
“We don’t have to all agree, but we can wrestle the issue, not the person,” she said.
The Governor-General also paid tribute to Ms Haines’ years of service, describing a woman who had dedicated her life to helping others.
Meanwhile, a nationwide virtual candlelight vigil has been organised for Friday, October 23, at 8pm AEDT, allowing Australians everywhere to show their support.
Organiser Tracey Asquith is encouraging people to light a candle, shine a torch or simply pause for 15 minutes to reflect on Ms Haines, her husband, children, friends and colleagues.
The idea has already attracted thousands of expressions of support on social media.
For residents of Wangaratta, the emotional toll has been so profound that Australian Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to provide psychological first aid and counselling.
The alleged attacker, Brendan Nugent, 43, appeared before Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
He was remanded in custody, with police confirming that further charges have not been ruled out.
Ms Haines remains in a critical condition at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital, where her family continues to face an agonising wait.
For now, the message from her community is simple: she is not facing that fight alone.
And as candles are lit across Australia on Friday evening, they will represent not only the nation’s heartbreak, but its hope that a woman who has devoted so much of her life to helping others will find the strength to face the long road ahead.
