Alleged Old Parliament House Arsonist faces ACT Magistrates court

The name of the man who allegedly set Old Parliament House on fire has been supressed for fear of ‘reprisal attacks’. The man can not visit the ACT suburb of Parkes as part of his bail conditions.

The name of the man who allegedly set fire to Old Parliament House last week has been suppressed due to fear of retribution.
The 30-year-old Victorian man was granted bail after he appeared at the ACT Magistrates Court via videolink from the Alexander Maconochie Centre charged with arson and damaging Commonwealth property.

An order to suppress the name and address of the man was granted by Special Magistrate Jane Campbell.

While applying for the order defence solicitor Tamzin Lee, from ACT Legal Aid, told the court her client feared retribution.

She said police officers told her the defendant “shaved his beard to avoid retribution, not to avoid arrest.”

The man is expected to return to Victoria while on bail.

Protesters argue with security staff at the ACT Law Courts on January 4. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gary Ramage

While residing in Victoria, the man must report to his local police station.

Under further bail conditions, the man cannot enter the ACT except for court dates and seeking legal advice.

Additionally while in the ACT the defendant cannot enter the suburb of Parkes or visit the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.

The prosecution opposed bail stating concerns he would re-offend, fail to appear before court or collude with potential co-offenders.

Ms Lee said there was “no basis” for the concerns listed by the prosecution.

Protesters demonstrated outside the ACT Law Courts while a 30-year-old Victorian man faced charges of arson and destroying Commonwealth property. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

A woman named Jennifer Stefanac identified herself as representative of the United Sovereign Nation of Terra Australis and addressed Special Magistrate Campbell, telling the court she wanted “to be included” in the proceedings.

When asked if she was a lawyer who was there to represent the defendant, she said “no”.

This request was formally refused by Ms Campbell.

The man is expected to appear in court again on February 1.

A crowd of about 20 people gathered outside the ACT Law Courts on Tuesday morning to show support for the protesters and at 11.30am, supporters began a demonstration outside the courts.

A protest last week led to a fire at Old Parliament House. An Australian Federal Police officer leaves the crime scene. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The facade of Old Parliament House, which today houses the Museum of Australian Democracy, was set ablaze last Thursday.

ACT Policing Commander Linda Champion told the media on Friday the fire began after protesters conducted a smoking ceremony.

“There was a small smoking ceremony and that is something that we had agreed with, with a lot of members attending each day as part of a peaceful protest,” she said.

“It then became a little bit out of hand, when ACT police went to respond, that’s when it was greatly escalated.”

Australian Federal Police and ACT Policing launched Taskforce Pike to investigate the protest on Friday.

Investigations by Taskforce Pike have led to the arrests of five people allegedly involved in the protest.

Protesters at Old Parliament House in Canberra on December 30 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The protest was condemned by the Aboriginal Tent Embassy who released a statement on Thursday which said while they support non-violent protest they “do not condone the destruction of public and private property.”

The embassy also said the smoking ceremony performed during last week’s protest was done without the “knowledge, consent or mandate of the embassy council and the Traditional Owners responsible for the regulation of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.”