A Victorian man charged with arson and damaging Commonwealth property over a fire at Canberra's Old Parliament House has been granted bail. The 30-year-old appeared via video link from Canberra's prison on Tuesday, where he was being held on remand.
His bail conditions include reporting to the nearest police station to his home in Gippsland once a week, not entering the Australian Capital Territory unless for legal purposes, and attending court in the ACT when compelled. A suppression order has been granted on the man's name to protect him from potential retribution for his alleged actions.
A woman purporting to be from 'the sovereign nation of Terra Australis' applied to represent the man in court but was denied. He is being represented by Legal Aid. A handful of supporters gathered outside the court and held a smoking ceremony.
Some protesters appeared to be part of the so-called sovereign citizen movement and told reporters police had no jurisdiction to engage with them. Members of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, set up across the road from Old Parliament House almost five decades ago, have condemned last week's fire.
