Husband of Helen Haines says critically injured MP is a 'fighter'

The husband of Helen Haines says the injured MP is a "fighter", confirming she has lost both legs due to Monday's attack. Ms Haines remains at the Alfred hospital in Melbourne in a critical condition. Governor-General Sam Moystyn joined Mr Haines as both the nation's head-of-state and a personal friend of Ms Haines, to call for greater civility in political discourse. The husband of Helen Haines has spoken publicly for the first time since Monday's attack on his wife, confirming her second leg had been amputated due to her injuries. Joined by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Mr Haines said his wife's recovery would be "long and difficult" after she was struck by a car outside her Wangaratta electorate office in Victoria's north-east. "But we know she is a fighter, she is a determined person to do her best, with our support and love, to recover," he said. "And that is what we hope for." Mr Haines became emotional during his address at the Alfred hospital in Melbourne, where doctors are working to save his 65-year-old wife from critical injuries. "What took place on Monday was a horrendous incident, and as you know, it's caused Helen significant injuries," Mr Haines said. "As a result of that, Helen's left leg was amputated on Monday. "We had been hoping her right leg would be saved, but as of this afternoon or this morning, the surgeons also had to remove her right leg." Mr Haines, a farmer and agricultural scientist, married Ms Haines in 1986 and the couple are set to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary next month. "Her heart is huge — she is a very compassionate, caring, loving person, incredibly supportive of all around her," he said of his wife. "And her mind — she has the sharpest intellect. She has always had the most intense desire to learn, to read, to synthesise and to understand what's going on. "We are grateful and thankful that, at this stage, both her heart and her mind are in good shape." The Governor-General confirmed King Charles had been given updates on Ms Haines's medical situation and urged Australians to "disagree well" and exercise their "muscle of decency." "We don't have to all agree, but we can wrestle the issue, not the person," Ms Moystyn said. "Words matter, whether spoken or in written form, increasingly in the virtual world."