![\"Helen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/b5f31d7b98095d1920bd41d9d9709b13.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nA reported rift between Brendan Nugent and his family is one line of inquiry for Victoria Police as they investigate the attack on federal MP Helen Haines.<\/p>\n
Asked by ABC Mildura this morning if one line of inquiry was that Mr Nugent’s alleged attack against Ms Haines was a “proxy” for attacking his family, Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush said “yes it is”.<\/p>\n
“It sounds like a cliche, but every line of inquiry is open … Every action is under review,” he said.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Bush said the 43-year-old’s father Rod Nugent, and the father’s partner Christine Cunningham, had been “very, very helpful” to the police investigation.<\/p>\n
The couple released a statement earlier this week in which they said they had been friends with Ms Haines for two decades, and described Monday’s events as “devastating and unfathomable”.<\/p>\n
“We will be assisting Victoria Police in any way we can,” they said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Independent federal MP for Indi Helen Haines remains in a critical condition. (Facebook)<\/p>\n
Commissioner Bush said the couple were “absolutely cooperating”.<\/p>\n
“They’ve been very, very helpful,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s an absolute tragic circumstance. As we know, Helen was loved in the community, still is loved and cherished.”<\/p>\n
Commissioner Bush said Mr Nugent’s interactions with neighbours were also being looked at and that the actions of local police who received those neighbour complaints would be examined.<\/p>\n
“They are wonderful people, our police in Wangaratta, they come to work every day and every night to do the best,” he said.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Bush said the force was supporting officers in the Wangaratta region in the wake of the week’s events and that Ms Haines had showed great support to his staff after two officers were killed in the line of duty<\/a> in nearby Porepunkah last year.<\/p>\n Ms Haines, 65, remains in a critical condition at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne, with the staff to provide another update on her condition this afternoon.<\/p>\n ‘Proactive’ approach to security for Victorian election<\/p>\n The attack on Ms Haines has this week drawn attention to the safety of MPs and other officials.<\/p>\n Ahead of Victoria’s state election on November 28, Commissioner Bush said police were taking a “proactive” approach to the security of politicians and to address any threats that may arise.<\/p>\n Mike Bush praised the work of Victoria Police officers in Wangaratta. (ABC News: Sarah Buchecker)<\/p>\n He said establishment of a central command centre last year, operating 24 hours a day, would enable police to respond effectively.<\/p>\n “What we’re going to do is extend the remit of the [State Commanding Coordination Centre] to be a one-stop-shop for anyone, any politician, any electioneer, if they have threats,” he said.<\/p>\n “We will triage them there and we will respond and deploy accordingly.”<\/p>\n Victoria’s Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel yesterday assured the community that the election would be run safely.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/70c2e9c5edcbc0ccac69955305d69e05.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n