Melbourne anti-weapons protest being investigated as terrorist act by ‘far-left extremists’
Australian federal police and ASIO are investigating an arson attack on a Melbourne defence manufacturer as an act of terrorism. Authorities suspect the incident was carried out by far-left extremists and have warned that those responsible could face life imprisonment.
Why it matters
The classification of this protest-related vandalism as a terrorist act marks a significant escalation in how Australian authorities are handling radical political activism.
Police released CCTV footage of suspects vandalising defence manufacturer Lovitt Technologies and setting alight multiple vehicles on the company’s Melbourne property in July 2025. Photograph: AFP Police released CCTV footage of suspects vandalising defence manufacturer Lovitt Technologies and setting alight multiple vehicles on the company’s Melbourne property in July 2025. Photograph: AFP Australian federal police Melbourne anti-weapons protest being investigated as terrorist act by ‘far-left extremists’ Federal police say those who vandalised a defence manufacturer and torched nearby cars could face life imprisonment
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Prefer the Guardian on Google Anti-weapons protesters who vandalised a defence manufacturer and set nearby vehicles alight could face life imprisonment after police said the incident was being investigated as an act of terrorism by “far-left extremists”.
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