Brendan Nugent, 43, has been charged after police alleged he targeted independent federal MP Dr Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta electorate office.

Victoria Police on Tuesday night charged the Tarrawingee man with dangerous driving causing serious injury and intentionally causing serious injury.

He was also charged with the federal offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.

"Police will allege the incident was targeted," Victoria Police said in a statement.

Nugent was held in custody overnight and is due to appear at Wangaratta Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 21 October.

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Nugent is behind the X account @NotLaoTzu, which has a long record of pro-Hamas, far-left and radical climate activist posts. He also has a history of anti-logging activism.

Police said a white Toyota LandCruiser struck a 65-year-old woman outside an office on Murphy Street, Wangaratta, at about 3.35pm on Monday.

In a release issued on Monday evening, Victoria Police said the driver was arrested at the scene by a passerby when he got out of the vehicle. Police said a knife was located and seized from inside the Toyota.

Dr Haines, the Member for Indi since 2019, was taken to hospital with critical injuries and flown to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne. She has lost one leg, and doctors are fighting to save the other.

The investigation is being led by the Victoria Police Security Investigation Unit, supported by the Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and ASIO.

In a statement issued on Tuesday morning, before the charges were laid, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said: "At this stage it appears this is an isolated incident, and there are no known threats connected to this matter."

Police searched a property on Great Alpine Road at Tarrawingee on Tuesday. Victoria Police said officers would keep an enhanced presence in Wangaratta.