The Helen Haines attack: Why ‘we have no right to be surprised’

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Yesterday afternoon Independent MP Helen Haines was returning to her electorate office in the regional Victorian town of Wangaratta, when she was struck by a white Toyota LandCruiser. Witnesses described seeing the car make a u-turn, and then ram Haines against a vehicle, before reversing and hitting her a second time. A local barbershop owner ran to the driver’s side of the vehicle, removed a knife from the man’s pocket, and wrestled him to the ground. The alleged attacker, who has now been identified as 43 year old Tarrawingee man Brendan Nugent, was then arrested by police at the scene. Helen Haines was taken to hospital in a critical condition, and has lost her leg in the…