Van blast targets ACL
Police rule out ideology in attack
POLICE have ruled out political, religious or ideological motivations for an explosion that badly damaged the Australian Christian Lobby headquarters in Canberra on Wednesday night.
A vehicle carrying gas bottles was parked outside the headquarters and set alight, causing an explosion.
Speaking at the scene yesterday morning, Lyle Shelton, a former Toowoomba councillor and head of the lobby, said he was shocked and devastated by the incident.
He said the attack was distressing given the context of continued death threats that staff had received from leftist groups.
“We have received death threats, threats of violence, threatening phone calls.
“Our receptionist has borne the brunt of most of that.”
Mr Shelton said he did not know what motivated the attack, which he referred to as a car bombing.
“This is the place where myself and my team have worked for the past eight or nine years and to see your workplace the subject of an attack like this is very emotional.”
The lobby has been outspoken on issues and is strongly against same-sex marriage and the controversial Safe Schools program.
Mr Shelton said the group would not be intimidated by the attack and would continue to convey its messages. “Obviously it was someone who didn’t agree with the message that we have. Didn’t agree with our position on marriage, our position on the Safe Schools program.
“We’re not going to stop talking about these issues and participating in our free and democratic society.”
Member for Groom Dr John McVeigh said he was shocked by the incident.
Police identified the driver of the vehicle as a 35-year-old Australian citizen residing in the ACT.
Police will conduct a thorough investigation including previous threats to the Christian group.
❝ Obviously it was someone who didn’t agree with the message that we have.
— Lyle Shelton, Australian
Christian Lobby.