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 attack. 

The AFP and Victorian police are investigating, and identifying potential charges, with the AFP saying it appears to be an “isolated incident”, with no known threats connected to the matter.

Meanwhile the head of ASIO is warning that elevated levels of grievance, intolerance and polarisation have continued to create a "permissive environment of violence"

Today in a special episode, columnist and broadcaster Waleed Aly on our changing attitudes to political violence, and why this moment should be a turning point for politics and for all Australians

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Guest: Columnist and broadcaster Waleed Aly

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch