Holsworthy MP Tina Ayyad speaks out over alleged arson attack of office

A southwest Sydney MP claimed she feared for her safety after police allege her electorate office was targeted in an arson attack, sparking a safety review by NSW Parliament.

Holsworthy MP Tina Aayad’s office was damaged by fire on Monday last week.

A southwest Sydney MP claimed she feared for her safety after police allege her electorate office was targeted in an arson attack, sparking a safety review by NSW Parliament.

Holsworthy state Liberal MP Tina Ayyad’s office on Walder Road, Hammondville was damaged following an alleged arson attack on Monday last week at 2am after the shade cloth and awning outside were set alight.

Ms Ayyad said herself and her team were “absolutely terrified” when they arrived at the office but said luckily no one was injured.

“The most concerning part is we have a bottle shop next door and if that fire didn’t extinguish on its own there could have been an explosion in Hammondville,” she said.

“We were very shaken and our phones didn’t stop all day as everyone was so lovely and reaching out to make sure we were okay.”

A man has been charged after Holsworthy state Liberal MP Tina Ayyad's Hammondville electorate office was damaged by fire on February 26.

A NSW Police spokesman confirmed a 48-year-old man had been arrested on Monday and was taken to Liverpool police station and charged with destroying or damaging property under $2000.

He was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on February 27 where he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court today.

Ms Ayyad said she was relieved there was “no indication [from police’s allegations] that the motive is related to any political positions I have taken during my time in elected office”.

“I did feel relieved because I was concerned for my safety and that of my staff and the community because it’s not okay for these kinds of things to happen, whether to me or other shops in the Hammondville area,” she said.

“However, this will be canvassed in police inquiries and NSW Police will clarify the motive behind this.”

Holsworthy MP Tina Aayad. Picture: Jonathan Ng

It is understood that at this stage of the investigation, police are satisfied the incident was not politically or racially motivated.

Ms Ayyad said her team sought the advice of police for extra safety precautions following the incident.

“The Department of Parliamentary services also came in to check on us and discussed our safety measures in and around the office and we are currently reviewing after the experience if extra safety measures are needed,” she said.

“You just need to pick yourself up and move on and I still have to do my job. I still have to serve the community as that’s what I was elected for.”

Ms Ayyad said her team were in the early stages of relocating to Wattle Grove shops following the decision of the Department of Parliamentary Services.

“The current office does not meet current requirements of an electorate office as determined by the Department of Parliamentary Services and one example is that the office currently lacks wheelchair access,” she said.