Premier Jacinta Allan's Bendigo office is vandalised for the third time in 2024
Animal rights activists have reportedly damaged a state premier’s office after smashing windows and spray-painting insults.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s office has been vandalised by animal rights activists who smashed windows and graffitied the building.
Victoria Police believe the attack on the Mollison St office in Bendigo happened just after 2.15am on Thursday.
The two people allegedly involved also spray-painted the words “gutless”, “heartless”, and “spineless”, with some of the graffiti leading police to believe the vandals are linked to animal rights groups.
Ms Allan condemned the attack on her office, calling it “disgraceful, senseless (and) destructive”.
“Violence does not solve problems, violence does not resolve policy debates,” Ms Allan told reporters on Thursday.
“It’s disgraceful.
“It’s destructive, it’s violent and it’s completely, completely unnecessary.”
Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell also condemned the attack, urging those allegedly involved to raise their concerns in the “public arena”.
“I know that smashing in the offices of other politicians does nothing to help animals,” she said.
“In fact, it arguably sets us further back — distracting from the very real issue of animal suffering in this state.
“Our movement is one of nonviolence, and we should be conducting ourselves in that way at all times.
“Not just to animals, but people too.
“I call on the people who did this to join me in fighting for animals in the public arena — with passion and determination, but also with respect.”
Ms Purcell said she’s also personally contacted the Premier to tell her that “this behaviour is not accepted or tolerated by (her) as an Animal Justice Party MP”.
Ms Allan said her main concern was the for safety of her staff members.
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It comes months after protesters targeted the Premier’s office twice within the space of three weeks in February.
Her office was graffitied again with the words “gutless”, “spineless” and “heartless”.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV, dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police about Thursday’s vandalism is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.