Aahana Nag pleads guilty to wilful damage after vandalising Peter Dutton’s office

A teenager who today pleaded guilty to vandalising Peter Dutton’s Brisbane office before the federal election has defended her actions outside court. See what penalty the magistrate imposed.

A teenager who vandalised Peter Dutton’s office in the lead up to the election has labelled her offending an “act of resistance” outside court.

Aahana Nag, 18, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to wilful damage of the former Opposition Leader’s office at Arana Hills.

Nag was joined at Brisbane Arrest Court by a large group of activists, who flanked her as she spoke to media outside.

Vandalism at Peter Dutton's Arana Hills office in the lead up to the May 3 federal election.

“This was an act of resistance and Peter Dutton does not represent us,” she said.

The court heard she had attended Mr Dutton’s office in the early hours of morning on April 29 with three other unidentified individuals – just days before the federal election.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Paul McPhee said Nag had worn a Covid-style face mask and used a fire extinguisher filled with red paint to spray the windows.

“The defendant and associates have then spray painted various political slogans on and around the area,” Sgt McPhee said.

Aahana Nag outside court in Brisbane. Picture: John Gass

The court heard Nag had been apprehended by a police dog, which lawyer Terry Fisher said had “mauled” her.

Mr Fisher told the court his client had a “highly developed social and political awareness.”

“In relation to the actions she took on this night, it was due to Peter Dutton’s anti-social behaviour particularly in relation to his comments on the genocide of the Palestinian people and in relation to his comments on the environment,” he said.

Signs plastered on Mr Dutton’s office at Arana Hills just days before the federal election. . Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Mr Fisher said his client had a certificate three in film and TV, with hopes to study anthropology at university.

Magistrate Jacqui Payne acknowledged Nag had strong references of support from her mother and a member of 350 Australia, who spoke to Nag’s volunteer work.

Ms Payne said Nag had an “impressive antecedents” and no criminal history.

She ordered Nag complete 20 hours of community service within the next six months.

No convictions were recorded

Originally published as Aahana Nag pleads guilty to wilful damage after vandalising Peter Dutton’s office