Driver charged over 'targeted' car attack on Australian lawmaker Helen Haines

Australian police said they charged a man on Tuesday for what they allege was a "targeted" attack on lawmaker Helen Haines, who suffered critical injuries. The man was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury and intentionally causing serious injury, as well as the federal crime of harming a public official, Victoria police said. The man – named by local media as Brendan Nugent – remains in custody and will face court on Wednesday, police said. Political violence is rare in Australia, but law enforcement have documented a steady rise in threats and abuse directed towards the nation's elected officials in recent years. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attack was a "test of our character" and led an outpouring of support for Haines, widely praised for her efforts to increase transparency in politics and crack down on corruption. She was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser outside her office in the town of Wangaratta, just over 200 kilometres (124 miles) northeast of Melbourne, at around 3:35 pm (0435 GMT) on Monday. Witnesses told national broadcaster ABC they heard a bang and saw a woman pinned between two cars. She was getting things from the trunk of her car when the...