Brendan Nugent, the man who allegedly drove his vehicle into federal MP Helen Haines on Monday, has faced court.
The man's lawyer said he suffered from a rare neurological condition and was not currently medicated.
No application for bail was made and Mr Nugent will next appear in court in February.
The man accused of driving his vehicle into federal MP Helen Haines outside her electorate office has faced court in Wangaratta, his lawyer saying he suffers from a rare neurological condition.
Brendan Nugent, 43, was flanked by security guards as he was brought into a small courtroom, which was packed with news reporters, shortly after 10am.
The Tarrawingee man is facing charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and the federal offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
Brendan Nugent's lawyer did not apply for bail during the brief hearing in Wangaratta Magistrates' Court. ( ABC News: Anita Lester )
Mr Nugent was charged last night over the attack on Ms Haines, with witnesses alleging his Toyota LandCruiser repeatedly rammed into the 65-year-old Indi MP.
Documents released by the Wangaratta Magistrates Court showed police had laid the extra charges of cultivating cannabis and possessing cannabis.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said at a press conference this morning that the investigation was "far from complete" and that police were not ruling out "further serious charges" .
Ms Haines remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital and has had one of her legs amputated.
A police van enters the court precinct in Wangaratta ahead of Brendan Nugent's apperance. ( ABC News: Oliver Gordon )
Wearing a grey jumper and black pants, Mr Nugent sat in the court dock, metres away from police and people in the public gallery.
His lawyer told Magistrate Vaughan his client had some mental health concerns and that it was his first time in custody.
"My client suffers from idiopathic transverse myelitis. It's a neurological disorder and he's been suffering from concussion," the lawyer said.
The lawyer said Mr Nugent was not currently medicated and it was unclear if he had seen a doctor since his arrest.
There were no concerns about Mr Nugent withdrawing from drugs, the lawyer said.
Idiopathic transverse myelitis is a spinal cord condition, with symptoms that can cause paralysis, numbness and tingling, and sharp pain.
Brendan Nugent's lawyer told court his client had mental health concerns and that it was his first time in custody, ( Supplied )
Further details of the alleged offending were not aired in court.
Magistrate Vaughan said police would complete a brief of evidence by December 24, which will be provided to the defence.
The case will next return to the Wangaratta court on February 4 for a committal mention hearing.
Mr Nugent, who was not required to speak in court or enter a plea, stood when the magistrate addressed him at the end of the hearing.
The ABC understands he is being transferred to the Melbourne Assessment Prison today.
The case will next return to the Wangaratta court on February 4 for a committal mention hearing. ( ABC News: James Oaten )
"I have asked that a medical professional see you immediately," Magistrate Vaughan said.
