Attack on Christian Lobby HQ ‘not terrorism’

POLICE have stuck by their decision to say an alleged arson attack by a gay rights campaigner on the Australian Christian Lobby headquarters was not politically motivated.

ACT Policing posted a lengthy statement on their website stating the massive fire which caused $100,000 damage to the ACL headquarters was not terrorism but a failed suicide attempt by alleged arsonist Jaden Duong.

Duong, 36, was severely burnt when he allegedly attempted to blow up four 9kg gas tanks in a van outside the Canberra building on December 21, 2016.

Police facts tendered in court allege Duong told police it was a suicide attempt but he would have been happy if the building had been destroyed because he disliked the organisation, saying “religions are failed”.

An unattributed statement placed on the ACT Policing website yesterday said police formed the view the fire was a suicide attempt.