Man faces court over Old Parliament House fire
Protesters are holding a smoking ceremony outside a court in tandem with the appearance of a man charged over an alleged arson attempt at Old Parliament House.
Police officers stand guard outside the fire damaged entrance to Old Parliament House in Canberra. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
They were initially met by 10 police officers who then returned to the station across the road after speaking with some protesters.
Some of the protesters appeared to be part of a sovereign citizen movement and were telling reporters police had no jurisdiction to engage with them.
A 30-year-old Victorian man was due in court on Tuesday charged with arson following last week’s fire at Old Parliament House, which damaged parts of the historic building.
Members of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, which was set out across the road from the building decades ago, have condemned last week’s fire.
Community elders have also expressed concern about an anti-vaccination camp recently set up near the tent embassy.
