Man charged following fire at Old Parliament House

Old Parliament House after the fire

This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and ACT Policing. 

A 30-year-old Victorian man has been charged in relation to a fire that police will allege was deliberately lit at Old Parliament House on Thursday (30 December 2021). 

The AFP-led joint taskforce with ACT Policing has been investigating the matter under Operation Pike since Thursday. ACT Policing detectives made the arrest, with the support of ACT Policing and Australian Federal Police resources, about 8.20pm Sunday, 2 January 2022, in Parkes, ACT. 

The man has been charged with arson and damaging Commonwealth property and is expected to face the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (4 January 2022).  

This arrest is in addition to three other arrests made on Saturday (1 January 2022) by ACT Policing. These people faced court on Sunday (2 January 2022).  

One of the three was charged with three counts of assaulting a frontline service provider, the second was charged with one count of assaulting a frontline service provider and the third was charged with hindering a Territory official.  

The Taskforce under Operation Pike will continue investigations to identify other people involved in the fire and other criminal activity and further arrests may occur.   

Anyone with information that could assist police in relation to criminal activity in the Parkes, ACT, area over the past two weeks is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 6993036. Information can be provided anonymously. 

Media enquiries 

ACT Policing Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au 

AFP Media: (02) 5126 9297

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