Car driven into Australian Christian Lobby headquarters in Canberra

POLICE have spoken to the driver of a van which rammed into the Australian Christian Lobby HQ in Canberra last night, causing an explosion. They do not believe his actions were ideologically motivated.

A van has been set alight after it was driven into the Australian Christian Lobby headquarters in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

THE “car bomb” attack on the Australian Christian Lobby headquarters in Canberra last night were not politically, religiously or ideologically motivated, police have revealed.

A white van carrying gas bottles was driven into the office in Deakin, a 10-minute drive from Parliament House, causing an explosion at around 10.45pm last night.

The driver was a 35-year-old Australian living in the ACT, who was not previously known to police.

The man took himself to Canberra Hospital with serious burns. Police said he appeared to have ignited gas cylinders in the van, causing an explosion.

The van was gutted in the explosion. Picture: Kym Smith

ACT Police Officer Commander Mark Walters said they are investigating the motive of the attack.

“Our investigations into this incident are ongoing. And part of these investigations will be to understand the motivation but as a result of our conversations with the male driver of the vehicle, we have established that the actions of this individual are not politically, religiously or ideologically motivated,” Mr Walters said.

“ACT policing investigations have been in contact with ACL staff today and our investigations will continue in relation to any threats that have been made towards the ACL.

“We are not in a position as to speculate as to the motivations.”

The driver is currently in a critical condition.

Director of ACL, Lyle Shelton, spoke of his shock after the organisation’s office was attacked.

Windows in the two-storey building were blown out and furnishings destroyed. Oil and debris — including a Toyota badge — were strewn across the car park.

Australian Christian Lobby director Lyle Shelton

A fire truck at the scene. Picture: Stephen Doyle

Mr Shelton, who tweeted two pictures overnight, returned from a family holiday in Queensland and is currently touring the damaged site.

He linked the attack to his activist group’s policies on same-sex marriage and safe schools, and claimed the rhetoric of politicians may have motivated an “unhinged” person.

“I think something of this nature, that appears to be so deliberate, is an attack against the sort of things that we’ve been saying in the public square,” he told ABC radio.

“And obviously someone didn’t like that which we stand for, which we’ve advocated publicly.”

Mr Shelton earlier told The Daily Telegraph of his relief that no staff were in the building at the time.

“We have had the normal trolls on social media and even had death threats sent to our Canberra office over the year but I am very concerned someone would do this,” Mr Shelton said.

“It is a relief the building was unoccupied at the time and we are all very thankful our staff are all safe.”

The van caused damage to the building. Picture: Kym Smith

A vehicle has rammed our office in Canberra & exploded. All staff are safe. I do not know the condition of the driver. Prayers appreciated. pic.twitter.com/R1cKOIfMTC

— Lyle Shelton (@LyleShelton) December 21, 2016

A closer view of the car bomb driven into the ACL office in Canberra tonight. Shocked that this could happen in Australia. pic.twitter.com/GxJQZLTFQr

— Lyle Shelton (@LyleShelton) December 21, 2016

“Obviously this is very unsettling to us but also to anyone in Australia, for this to happen in Canberra, our nation’s capital is very disappointing.

“It is something I thought would never happen here, I can’t believe it.”

Australian Capital Territory Police confirmed a vehicle was driven towards the front of the building and a police operation was under way.

“Investigations into a vehicle fire at the Australian Christian Lobby and no one was injured inside the building,” the spokesman said.

Queensland Liberal MP Luke Howarth said the incident came as a shock.

“Any incident like this in Australia always comes as a bit of a shock,” Mr Howarth said.

“The details are a bit thin but shock is the initial reaction.”

Mr Howarth said some people did not like the ACL’s strong position on traditional marriage and many other issues, but condemned any such attack.

“One of the great things about Australia is our strong democracy, people can have a difference of opinion,” he said.

He said it was a “shame” the issue of same sex marriage would not be resolved by a plebiscite.