The family of Australian man Brendan Nugent, who is accused of assaulting Australian federal lawmaker Helen Haines, had been friends with her for over 20 years, the ABC news channel reported on Wednesday, citing the suspect's relatives.

"Helen has been our friend for more than 20 years and what happened to her yesterday is devastating and unfathomable," Brendan Nugent's father Rod Nugent told ABC.

Relatives of the accused described Haines as a deeply respected and beloved member of the local community. They expressed their support for her family.

According to the investigators, Brendan Nugent intentionally struck Haines twice with a Toyota LandCruiser SUV near her parliamentary office in the city of Wangaratta, in Victoria, on Monday afternoon. The 65-year-old lost one leg and remains in critical condition. Doctors are fighting to save her other leg.

The suspect appeared in court on Wednesday. His defense attorney said that Nugent suffers from a rare neurological condition, idiopathic transverse myelitis, which affects the spinal cord, and had also sustained a concussion.

Nugent has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a federal public official.

The judge ordered Nugent to undergo a medical examination. He is not seeking bail and will remain in custody until the next hearing on February 4, 2027. The motive for the attack has not been established.

@Sputnik