Independent MP was struck by a car on Monday and her alleged attacker appeared in court on Wednesday

• ‘Deeply appalled’: politicians condemn alleged attack after Helen Haines critically injured

• Helen Haines, the principled MP respected across parliament

Anthony Albanese has described the police interview on Tuesday with Brendan Nugent as “extensive” but that the motivation of the alleged “violent” attack against Helen Haines is still unknown.

Certainly, it’s a reminder that the world is a more dangerous and divided place than it was a generation ago.

But I think that Australians do want to see their politicians be able to go about their business, to be able to get something from the back of their car, for goodness sake.

My side, every side included. We all have to recognise that politics has got more aggressive.

The particular impact on women in politics … [They] have got a different form of vilification and aggression towards them as well.

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© Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

© Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

© Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Premier Ben Carroll will announce 25,000 new homes will be built for first-time buyers, with the proposed sites spanning Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Latrobe.

Premier Ben Carroll will announce 25,000 new homes will be built for first-time buyers, with the proposed sites spanning Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Latrobe.

The state opposition has promised a $578-million-dollar windfall from the sale of the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market should it win November’s election.

The state opposition has promised a $578-million-dollar windfall from the sale of the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market should it win November’s election.

Brendan Nugent is facing three charges and is being held to appear at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Brendan Nugent is facing three charges and is being held to appear at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Readers respond to the alleged attack on MP Helen Haines, the “get over it” jibe, a happiness tax, and the Wizened of Oz.

Victoria police arrested the 43-year-old Tarrawingee man on Monday afternoon after the incident in Wangaratta

• Who is Helen Haines, the MP allegedly attacked in Victoria?

• Brendan Nugent’s family say Haines has been their friend for more than 20 years

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Helen Haines’ alleged attacker, Brendan Nugent, has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally cause serious injury and the commonwealth offence of causing harm to a commonwealth public official.

He will be held overnight to appear at Wangaratta magistrates court on Wednesday, Victoria police confirmed in a statement, adding that it would be alleged the attack was targeted.

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© Photograph: Mick Tsikas/EPA

© Photograph: Mick Tsikas/EPA

© Photograph: Mick Tsikas/EPA

Victoria’s auditor-general has criticised influencers for hiding paid state government partnerships and called for greater transparency over taxpayer-funded content.

Victoria’s auditor-general has criticised influencers for hiding paid state government partnerships and called for greater transparency over taxpayer-funded content.

Is urban sprawl a “massive failure” of the Western world, or is the genie out of the bottle? These are some of the big ideas contemplated at Melbourne Assembly.

Is urban sprawl a “massive failure” of the Western world, or is the genie out of the bottle? These are some of the big ideas contemplated at Melbourne Assembly.

The former mayor brought his brand of blunt to Melbourne while delivering some thoughts about Donald Trump’s America

Online betting was the ‘direct and paramount’ cause behind Kyle Hudson’s decision to take his own life, inquest finds

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Kyle Hudson was “a young man brimming with promise”, with a loving and supportive partner, family and friends, and prospects.

“It was a near ideal picture – except for the grip that online sports betting had upon him,” the Victorian coroner Paul Lawrie said on Tuesday.

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© Photograph: Cavan Images/Getty Images/Cavan Images RF

© Photograph: Cavan Images/Getty Images/Cavan Images RF

© Photograph: Cavan Images/Getty Images/Cavan Images RF

Five years after Kyle Hudson’s death, a Victorian coroner issued a scathing assessment of Sportsbet, saying the wagering giant fed the 22-year-old’s gambling addiction.

A former National Gallery of Victoria IT chief accused of stealing $8 million from the NGV is banned from leaving the country after facing court for the first time.

Rohan Silva of AI Faculty says Sydney has triumphed over Melbourne in venture capital investment.

Doherty Institute chief Sharon Lewin says scientists need to take risks.

The former NYC mayor tells Melbourne Assembly on the need to end urban sprawl