Two Australian lawmakers targeted in separate violent incidents

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 11:20 · Archive

A second Australian lawmaker has been targeted after federal MP Helen Haines was critically injured in an alleged car attack.

A 56-year-old man has been charged after entering Western Australian state government minister Hannah Beazley's electorate office in suburban Perth on Wednesday, armed with nunchucks and making verbal threats. Beazley was not in the office at the time. He was detained and charged with being armed in a way that may cause fear and with threatening to perform an unlawful act. He spent the night in police custody and appeared in a Perth court on Thursday.

The incident came days after federal independent MP Helen Haines was hit by a car in Victoria on Monday. Haines, aged 65, remains in critical condition in a Melbourne hospital where surgeons have amputated both her legs. The alleged attacker, Brendan Nugent, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with intentionally causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing serious injury and causing harm to a federal official. He did not enter pleas and remains in custody. Police are still searching for a motive.

Police found no evidence connecting the two attacks. However, both incidents have heightened concerns about the security and safety of female politicians in Australia, where lawmakers are highly accessible to the public. Just under 50 per cent of federal lawmakers and a majority of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's cabinet are women.

How it is being reported

• Australian man threatens female politician with nunchucks days after another lawmaker is hit by carThe incidents are heightening concerns about female politicians’ safety in the country.New York Post · 22 Oct, 11:03
• Second Australian lawmaker targeted days after alleged car attackA 56-year-old man has been charged with threatening Hannah Beazley’s staff with nunchucksIndependent World · 22 Oct, 09:50

In this story: Helen Haines · Hannah Beazley · Brendan Nugent · Anthony Albanese · Victoria · Perth · Australia

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem