Teen seeks to avoid criminal record after alleged $55,000 vandalism attack on MP Josh Burns’ office

Wearing a large mask as she fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday, Matilda McDermott sought a diversion over charges relating to the damage done to Josh Burns’ office.

Matilda McDermott leave the Melbourne Magistrates court. Picture: NewsWire / Aaron Francis

A teenager charged with causing $55,000 worth of damage during an attack on Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns’ Melbourne electorate office is seeking to avoid a criminal record by diversion.

Matilda McDermott, 19, was charged over the vandalism attack in which windows were smashed, and slogans, including “Zionism is fascism”, were spray-painted on Mr Burns’ St Kilda electorate office in the early hours of June 19.

Small fires were also lit in the telecommunications pit at the front of the Barkly St building during the incident.

At the time, concerns were raised that the fires could have endangered the people who lived in the residential apartments above the office.

The office of Federal MP Josh Burns after it was vandalised in June. Picture: NewsWire / David Crosling

In addition to the charges relating to the trespass and vandalism of Mr Burns’ office, Ms McDermott was charged with damaging the Honorary Consulate General of France on St Kilda Rd in a separate incident on 17 July.

She is also facing a charge of failing to comply with an order to provide police with a phone password.

On Monday, Ms McDermott wore an N95 face mask in the court room for the duration of her contest mention before Magistrate Kay Robertson in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

Her lawyer, Amy Hale from James Dowsley & Associates, told the court Ms McDermott was seeking diversion, however the prosecution said it was not amenable to the request.

“At the moment, we’re not agreeable to diversion,” the prosecutor said.

The Magistrates’ Court website describes diversion as a way for low-level offenders to avoid a criminal record by undertaking conditions that benefit the victim, the community and themselves.

Matilda McDermott, wearing a hat and face mask, leave the Melbourne Magistrates court. Picture: NewsWire / Aaron Francis.

Ms Hale told the court that the prosecution had indicated in prior discussions that it may be willing to drop some of the charges relating to criminal damage.

Ms Robertson adjourned the matter to 18 February for the parties to have further discussions.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also charged over the attacks on Mr Burns’ office and the Honorary Consulate General of France.

The boy, who had his matter heard in the Children’s Court, is on track to avoid a criminal conviction, subject to the successful completion of a diversion plan by February.

A Victoria Police statement obtained in relation to the boy’s Children’s Court proceedings said there were six other suspects in relation to the two attacks who had not been identified.

It also said the total cost of the damage to Mr Burns’ office was estimated at $101,417.50.

Following the court hearing for the boy in November, Mr Burns told The Australian he wanted to see peace in the Middle East but that attacks on offices only heightened hostilities.

“I hope from this we can learn the desperate need to talk to and understand one another instead,” Mr Burns said.

“This was a distressing experience for my staff and surrounding tenants. But we have since reopened and returned to the work that we all love – helping my local and diverse community of Macnamara.

“The decisions we make as young people don’t have to define our whole lives.

“While I hope this young person can see the impact of their actions, I also hope that they are able to learn and move forward,” he said of the boy.