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The man accused of attacking Federal MP Helen Haines has been remanded in custody til his next court appearance in the new year.
He's charged with dangerous driving, intentionally causing serious injury and a commonwealth offence of causing harm to a public official in relation to the alleged attack.
He was also charged with cultivating and possessing cannabis.
SBS Political Correspondent Rayane Tamer reports from Wangaratta.
"It was a packed court room as the 43-year-old was escorted in from the local police station just a few blocks away where he's been remanded. He was wearing a grey sweatshirt, he had a long beard and had wide blue eyes. He had a blank expression and stared ahead for most of the hearing. No application for bail was made so Nugent will remain behind bars. His lawyer said there were concerns for Nugent's mental health, flagged he may have a concussion and he had a neurological condition which affects his spinal cord. Nugent is expected to be assessed by medical practitioners immediately after the court matter. His next hearing will be on the 4th February 2027. Rayane Tamer SBS News"
Police haven't ruled out further charges.
Victoria Police are monitoring threats against politicians ahead of the November 28 state election.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush says measures will be put in place to protect MPs and candidates.
"We'll be standing up and centralising our reporting so there is a one stop shop for that but also a place where we can be very proactive, we have a 24/7 state command and coordination centre, we will expand its remit, establish a joint intelligence group to make sure we get in front of these things.”
ASIO'S Deputy Director General, Claire McGuinness says acts of political violence are becoming more likely but there's no single factor driving increased radicalisation.
She's speaking today at an inquiry into the nature and drivers of radicalisation.
Ms McGuiness stressed her comments are general and not directly in response to the alleged attack on Helen Haines.
She says people can be successfully diverted into de-radicalisation programs, but people remain vulnerable.
"A diverse array of violent extremist content online is normalising violent ideologies, providing a low barrier entry point for vulnerable people with existing grievances. And technology is fast-tracking this issue, with social media algorithm serving to amplify frustration and legitimise extremist beliefs, creating echo chambers and accelerating the journey from online grievance to a real world security threat."
The authors of the report that found 'extensive failings' in the Northern Territory's Child Protection system say they did not examine new legislation following Kumanjayi Little Baby's alleged murder.
Former New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb and Public Servant Greg Shanahan confirmed they did not examine Kumanjayi Little Baby's connection with her accused murderer and did not look at new legislation introduced in July, despite her death prompting their review and new child protection laws.
The national peak body for Aboriginal children and families says the report has fallen short of what's needed to drive systemic change with other domestic violence advocates labelling it as a 'deflection'.
Karen Webb says the 45 recommendations made will make a big difference.
"There's certainly not one single point of failure, there are a number of things, taken together it all adds up. Certainly we think the report and its 45 recommendations which we say are very practical and real ways and a path forward for the department will make significant change."
Nigeria has confirmed its first case of the Ebola virus in a woman who recently entered the country by plane from Uganda.
The woman is in isolation and is infected with the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which has neither a vaccine nor a targeted treatment available.
It comes amid an outbreak across the region, with Kenya recently confirming its first case and since recording nine infections and one death.
Nigerian health minister Muhammad Ali Pate says the woman had symptoms starting on the 7th of October.
“Contact tracing has been conducted, and it's underway as we speak. With 44 contacts already identified presently, with public health teams identifying and monitoring people who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers, and travel contacts. We have continued to strengthen our surveillance activities, and the hospital, which is a private hospital, is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.”
Dylan Alcott is among seven new inductees to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, to be honoured at an awards ceremony next month.
The wheelchair sports great will receive the honour along with Winter Olympics gold medalist Dale Begg-Smith, cricketer Lisa Sthalekar, surf lifesaving's Shannon Eckstein, four-time Olympic softball medalist Natalie Ward and basketballer Sandy Brondello.
They will be inducted as athlete members, while Olympic hockey silver medalist Barry Dancer will join as a general member - he coached the Kookaburras to their only Olympic gold medal.
