Sydney Hilton Hotel bombing happened on this day in 1978

Described by many as Australia’s first terrorist bombing, mystery still surrounds the tragic event that killed three people and shocked the nation.

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WHAT HAPPENED

It was on this day in 1978 that a bomb exploded outside Sydney’s Hilton Hotel where the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting was being held.

Described as Australia’s first terrorist attack, mystery still surrounds the bombing with many unanswered questions and persistent conspiracy theories.

It has never been unequivocally determined who committed the bombing which killed three people.

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The bomb was planted in a rubbish bin and exploded when the bin was emptied into a garbage truck outside the hotel at 1:40am.

Two garbage collectors were killed — Alec Carter and William Favell. A police officer guarding the entrance to the hotel lounge, Paul Birmistriw, died later of his injuries. Another 11 officers were injured.

Twelve foreign leaders were staying in the hotel at the time, but were unharmed. Australian prime minister Malcolm Fraser immediately called out the Australian Army for the remainder of the CHOGRM meeting.

Tim Anderson, Ananda Marga member accused of being involved in the Hilton Hotel bombing case in Sydney.

CONSPIRACY THEORIES

Controversy swirled around the case with allegations that Australian security forces may have been responsible. The New South Wales parliament unanimously called for the Commonwealth to hold an inquiry in 1991 and 1995, but this was refused.

In June 1978, members of the Ananda Marga organisation were implicated by a police informant, Richard John Seary, but the evidence of this former heroin addict was later discredited.

A member of Ananda Marga, Evan Pederick, claimed in 1989 that he had carried out the Hilton bombing on the orders of another member, Tim Anderson. Both men were given prison sentences, but Anderson was acquitted on appeal in 1991. Pederick served eight years in prison.

Evan Dunstan Pederick (c) with police officers Constable Shaunagh Patrice Cassidy and Detective Sergeant Aarne Tees after being convicted of Sydney Hilton Hotel bombing 02 Jun 1989.

STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCES

Unusual circumstances around the bombing fuelled conspiracy theories, including:

■ There was a continuous police presence outside the building since the previous morning. This would have prevented anyone placing a large bomb into the rubbish bin while the police were there.

■ The driver of the garbage truck, Bill Ebb, stated that the bins would normally be emptied several times each day, but police had prevented three earlier trucks from emptying the bin that contained the bomb even though it was overflowing with rubbish.

■ The garbage bin had not been searched for bombs. Searching bins is normally a high priority, and is specified in New South Wales police permanent circular 135.

■ Army dog handler Keith Burley said that his dogs could smell very small quantities of explosives, and were expected to be used for the event. He said they were unexpectedly called off a few days prior without explanation.

■ The entire truck and all bomb fragments were dumped immediately afterwards at an unrecorded location. This prevented forensic evidence, such as the type of explosive used, from being gathered.

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Scene outside Sydney Hilton Hotel after bombing