Independent federal MP Helen Haines is in a stable condition after an alleged attack that left her fighting for life and resulted in the loss of both her legs.
The independent MP for Indi in north-east Victoria has been recovering at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne after losing both her legs in the incident outside her office in Wangaratta on October 19.
On Friday, it was confirmed the status of her condition had been downgraded as she continues her recovery.
'The patient is in a stable condition at The Alfred,' a spokesperson said in a statement.
It comes less than two weeks after fellow crossbencher Allegra Spender revealed Haines' first words after the incident were for her staff.
'Phil [Haines' husband] told us about your first words since you woke up after the attack, and said that your first concerns when you woke were for your staff and gratitude to the first responders, nurses, and bystanders,' Spender said.
'People have spoken about your empathy and grace, and they deserve recognition.
'But I think it paints a picture of you as a sort of benign force wandering through the parliament. What I will say is that you are also a force for change.'
Independent federal MP Helen Haines is in a stable condition after an alleged attack that left her fighting for life and resulted in the loss of both her legs
Brendan Nugent, 43, is accused of ramming his Toyota LandCruiser into Haines outside her office in Wangaratta on October 19 in what police alleged was a deliberate attack.
He remains behind bars after being charged with multiple offences, including dangerous driving causing serious harm, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
Last week, several sources familiar with the investigation told The Age that Nugent claimed that he never intended to drive into Haines.
Nugent insisted he has never held a grudge against Haines and that his alleged actions at the scene was driven by panic.
He also claimed that he had previously voted for Haines, who has been the local federal MP for Indi since 2019.
Police and federal authorities continue to investigate any pre-existing connections between Nugent and Haines as they try to establish a motive.
It was previously revealed that Nugent's father, Rod, and his partner, Christine Cunningham, have been friends with Haines for more than two decades.
Officers are also investigating a potential rift between Nugent and his family as part of their inquiries.
It follows reports that Mr Nugent and Ms Cunningham had not had a civil conversation with Brendan Nugent for more than four years and last saw him 10 months ago when he turned up at their home unannounced.
Commissioner Bush was asked last Friday whether police were investigating the possibility that Nugent's alleged attack on Haines was a 'proxy' for grievances involving his family.
'Yes, it is,' he told ABC Mildura.
'It sounds like a cliché, but every line of inquiry is open... Every action is under review.'
He added that Nugent's father and Ms Cunningham had been 'absolutely cooperating' with the police investigation.
All sides of parliament united in paying heartfelt tributes to Haines when it sat for the first time since the alleged attack.
A orange cut-out of a cockatoo was placed on Haines' empty seat by fellow independent MP Zali Steggall, who described her good friend as the matriarch of the crossbench.
Nugent's case will return to Wangaratta Local Court on February 4 for a committal mention hearing.
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