A van carrying gas cylinders was driven into the headquarters of the Australian Christian Lobby in Canberra last night, causing an explosion.
News Corp reports the van exploded around 10:45pm, destroying the vehicle and damaging the two-storey office building. No injuries have been reported from those inside the building, though the alleged driver of the vehicle is receiving medical treatment.
ACL managing director Lyle Shelton posted reported the event on Twitter and posted photographs of the van in question and confirming that no one was injured.
A vehicle has rammed our office in Canberra & exploded. All staff are safe. I do not know the condition of the driver. Prayers appreciated. pic.twitter.com/R1cKOIfMTC
— Lyle Shelton (@LyleShelton) December 21, 2016
A closer view of the car bomb driven into the ACL office in Canberra tonight. Shocked that this could happen in Australia. pic.twitter.com/GxJQZLTFQr
— Lyle Shelton (@LyleShelton) December 21, 2016
“Police contacted me and told me that someone has driven a white van into the carpark of our office and it has been loaded with gas cylinders and then it has been detonated,” Shelton told News Corp.
“We have had the normal trolls on social media and even had death threats sent to our Canberra office over the year but I am very concerned someone would do this.”
Though the ACL nominally advocate for broad public policy in accordance with Christian ethics and morality, they’ve been single-mindedly focused on blocking the advance of same-sex marriage for a number of years. Recently they’ve taken to opposing the Safe Schools program.
MP George Christensen is suggesting on Twitter that the attack may be politically motivated.
I hope you’re all ok @LyleShelton – if this indeed a politically motivated attack it is disgraceful & should be denounced.
— George Christensen (@GChristensenMP) December 21, 2016
We’ll keep you posted.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
Photo: Twitter / @LyleShelton.
