A significant shortage of mental health services in northeast Victoria has emerged as a key issue ahead of the state election, underscored by recent high-profile incidents involving mental health concerns in the region.
On Wednesday, Magistrate Allison Vaughan ordered that Brendan Nugent, 43, be assessed by a mental health professional during a court hearing in Wangaratta. Nugent faces multiple charges linked to an alleged four-wheel drive attack on federal independent MP Dr Helen Haines in 2025. Court documents revealed Nugent was not currently on any medication, though speculation about his mental health has circulated, influenced by his social media activity and behavior. His defense lawyer, Chirag Patel, noted that Nugent suffers from idiopathic transverse myelitis, a rare neurological condition, and had experienced a concussion.
The attack on Dr Haines, which resulted in her losing both legs, along with a separate incident in which two police officers were shot by Dezi Freeman in 2025, have intensified public attention on mental health resources in the region. Independent candidate Steve Manning, supported by the Voices for Ovens Valley group, highlighted the well-known gaps in mental health support across northeast Victoria. Manning emphasized that limited resources often force individuals to pay significant sums for medical appointments, and that many remain unaware of where to seek help.
Nationals MP Tim McCurdy, also reportedly concerned about mental health services, has paused his campaigning following the attack on Dr Haines. The region, which includes communities such as Wangaratta located approximately 230 kilometers northeast of Melbourne, was heavily impacted by pandemic-related lockdowns. It is also noted for the presence of anti-establishment groups and conspiracy theorists.
A recent royal commission into mental health identified risks linked to misinformation and the stigma surrounding mental illness. The commission criticized the quality and accessibility of mental health care in regional Victoria, pointing out systemic deficiencies in primary care, emergency departments, and inpatient services. These services were described as often inadequate to meet the needs of people living with mental illness, especially in rural areas including the Ovens Valley and Coastal Gippsland.
Data from the 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics census shows that northeast Victoria has a higher proportion of residents reporting long-term health conditions compared to state and national averages, further stressing the need for improved health services.
In response to these challenges, government-appointed consultants are working on reforms aimed at expanding mental health care access, including greater use of telehealth services and enhanced clinical support. The Victorian State Government has pledged funding to increase the number of mental health workers serving regional communities, aiming to alleviate longstanding service deficits.