Senator Lidia Thorpe deletes tweet appearing to support the fire at Old Parliament House in Canberra

A Senator has been slammed for a now-deleted tweet which appeared to show support for Old Parliament House going up in flames.

Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe has been slammed for a now-deleted tweet which appeared to support the fire which caused damage to Old Parliament House after protests on Thursday.

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy on Thursday night condemned the actions of protesters after flames engulfed the front door of the historic building, sending plumes of smoke billowing into the air about 11.30am – the second blaze at the entrance in less than two weeks.

ACT Policing Commander Linda Champion said the fire had started after a small smoking ceremony was carried out by demonstrators.

“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.”

A witness told Melbourne radio station 3AW that he had heard protesters chanting “let it burn”.

Senator Lidia Thorpe's tweet that has since been deleted.

One demonstrator told Sky News: “We had to burn that door down to get our message across”.

Senator Thorpe tweeted following the incident: “Seems like the colonial system is burning down. Happy New Year everyone #AlwayswasAlwayswillBeAboriginalLand”.

It was accompanied by vision of Old Parliament House in flames.

The tweet was deleted within an hour of being posted.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce slammed the tweet by the Victorian senator on Thursday night.

“Someone who has come so far as to be a member of parliament for all Australians should not support burning it down,” he told NCA NewsWire.

“If she is disgusted with the article of democracy then she should resign and find another avenue that she believes is more appropriate.

Old Parli House: pic.twitter.com/EIHw2epyfU

— Heidi Murphy (@heidimur) December 30, 2021

“I am certain that there are many Victorians who are uncomfortable, many disgusted, with what is an endorsement by her of arson.”

Indigenous community leader Warren Mundine said the protesters had been immature.

“All they did was make it harder for people who are trying to bring reconciliation and bring us all together,” he said.

He said that Senator Thorpe should have known better than to tweet what she did.

“She needs to settle down, think about what she’s trying to say and hopefully then become a constructive member of parliament,” he said.

Senator Thorpe and Greens Leader Adam Bandt – who tweeted the fire was a “terrible sight” – were contacted for comment.

Protesters have been gathering outside the building ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.

A video still of the fire at the building. Picture: ABC

“The Aboriginal Tent Embassy does not condone the actions of protesters who occupied the steps of Old Parliament House,” it wrote in an official statement on Thursday night.

“Although we support the concept of nonviolent direct action, we do not condone the destruction of public and private property.

“The actions of such protesters conducting a ‘smoking ceremony’ was done so without the knowledge, consent or mandate of the Embassy Council and Traditional Owners responsible for the regulation of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.”

The scene after the fire was put out. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was disgusted the building had been set on fire.

“I am disgusted and appalled by behaviour that would see Australians come and set fire to such a symbol of democracy in this country,” he said.

“I just think it is appalling and I think it is disgraceful and I think that the authorities should act swiftly in accordance with the law and people should face consequences for their actions. “This is not justified, this is not how Australia works.”

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese also slammed the “destructive act”.

“This historic house of our democracy should be respected by all Australians - it is beyond my comprehension that anyone or group could engage in such a destructive act,” he tweeted.

Mr Joyce had earlier posted on Facebook that the fire was “an absolute disgrace if deliberately lit”.

“This is the parliament that for so long underpinned the freedoms we have as a democracy and made the decisions that formed us as a nation, fighting for the increase of rights and corrections to our colonial past,” he wrote.

“If someone is trying to make a statement then it is a very bad one that will be received with overwhelming disgust.”

Firefighters acted quickly to put out the blaze. Picture: Shane McInnes/ 3AW Melbourne

Former Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack issued a sharply worded response.

“How disgraceful. An outrageous attack on our democracy, our history, our sovereignty. This modern penchant for tearing down our past serves no purpose. Repercussions ought to be swift & severe,” he wrote.