MELBOURNE, Australia: Australian federal lawmaker Helen Haines has had both legs amputated after being repeatedly hit by a car in an apparent act of political violence.

The 65-year-old independent politician remains in critical condition in a Melbourne hospital, her husband said on Wednesday.

Haines was flown by helicopter to the hospital after the attack in her hometown of Wangaratta on October 19. Her husband, Phil Haines, made the family's first public statement about her condition, hours after the accused driver appeared in court.

Her left leg was amputated on October 19. Doctors amputated her right leg on October 21 after deciding they could not save it.

"The good news in all this is that Helen is alive and she's stable. That is the most important thing for our family," her husband told reporters in Melbourne.

He added that the family was grateful that her heart and mind remained in good condition. The couple will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in November.

Earlier on October 21, Brendan Nugent, 43, from nearby Tarrawingee, appeared before the Wangaratta Magistrates' Court. He faces charges of intentionally causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing serious injury and causing harm to a federal official.

Nugent did not apply for bail or enter a plea. He will remain in custody until his next court appearance in February. Police have not yet established a motive for the alleged attack.

Nugent's lawyer, Chirag Patel, told Magistrate Allison Vaughan that his client might have mental health problems but had never received a diagnosis.

Patel also said Nugent suffered from idiopathic transverse myelitis, a neurological condition, and a concussion. He did not explain how the concussion occurred.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, transverse myelitis is a rare condition that damages the protective covering of the spinal cord. It disrupts signals between the brain and body and can cause sudden muscle weakness, loss of sensation, pain, and bladder and bowel problems.

Witnesses said the driver struck Haines with his vehicle, trapping her against her own car. He then reversed before hitting her a second time.

The attack has shocked Australians, as political violence is uncommon in the country and elected representatives are generally accessible to the public. Most lawmakers do not have personal security teams and carry out their professional and private activities without protection.

Senior opposition lawmaker James Paterson called for a review of security arrangements for politicians following the alleged attack.

He said Australian parliamentarians were unusually accessible to the public by international standards, which he considered a positive feature of the country's democracy. However, he warned that such attacks could fundamentally change Australian democracy if serving in parliament became a serious threat to personal safety.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged lawmakers to continue engaging openly with the public despite growing hostility within the community.