Australian Capital Territory Police have released a statement announcing that the explosion at the headquarters of the Australian Christian Lobby was not politically, religiously or ideologically motivated.
Police say they received a call about a vehicle fire at 9:35 on Wednesday night. The van, which was filled with gas cylinders is believed to have been set alight and the resulting explosion had damaged the Australian Christian Lobby building and destroyed the vehicle.
A short time later a man presented himself to Canberra hospital with severe burns. Police officers were able to speak to the man and ascertain that his motives were not political, religious or ideological in nature.
The man is currently undergoing treatment for injuries and it is not know when police will be able to speak to him again. He was identified as a 35-year-old Australian citizen.
Police say they will investigate the incident and the investigation will include all previous threats made to the Australian Christian Lobby.
Acting Police Deputy Chief Commissioner Mark Walters said there was no risk to public safety.
Earlier today the head of the Australian Christian Lobby, Lyle Shelton, said leaders of the marriage equality movement and supporters of the Safe Schools program had not done enough to condemn threats to the organisation.
In response to the police statement highlighting that the attack was not politically, ideologically or religiously motivated Shelton told the Sydney Morning Herald the motives of the person who has questioned by police were still unknown.
“It’s all very sensitive, we don’t know the motives of the person last night, we hope it’s not related and the police, given their statement they don’t seem to think so, but for us, it comes in the context of the abuse, the death threats and the threats of violence we have experienced this year,” Shelton said.
OIP Staff
