A Victorian man has been granted bail after being arrested over a fire at Old Parliament House which badly damaged the entrance to the building.
Ryan Harder, 40, was charged with joint commission of arson, assaulting a frontline community service provider and obstructing a public official.
The joint commission legal principle broadly covers complicity.
The prosecution opposed bail, arguing Harder’s alleged offences were serious and he was a flight risk.
It was also argued that his “sovereign citizen” beliefs – where he doesn’t believe in the court’s jurisdiction – didn’t offer him an incentive to reappear at the next court date.
Defence lawyer Georgia Le Couteur argued there was no evidence to suggest Harder wouldn’t appear before the court and follow any bail conditions given his lack of criminal history.
Magistrate Robert Cook said he was satisfied bail conditions would ameliorate the risk of Harder not returning to court.
But Mr Cook expressed reservations about the possibility of reoffending, given the allegations Harder pushed two police officers down the stairs outside Old Parliament House.
Police allege Harder pushed one constable down the stairs and into the arms of other police when he tried to gain access to the portico at Old Parliament House through the line of protesters.
It is also alleged Harder grabbed a protective services officer by the left arm, and threw him down the portico stairs, pushing him from behind. The officer was also caught by other police.
The alleged actions occurred as another man, Nicholas Reed, allegedly began to light a fire at the base of the doors.
Police say Harder shouted “let it burn, let it burn” as he walked down the portico steps after the fire began to burn.
They also allege Harder filmed himself saying: “I pushed two coppers off the stairs. Plant the foot and give them a good shoulder.”
Harder was arrested on the Barton Highway en route to Canberra on Tuesday.
Police say he confessed to placing himself between officers responding to the fire and intended to stop them dispersing the crowd.
He also admitted obstructing, grabbing and pushing officers, police say.
Ms Le Couteur implored the magistrate to consider the mobile phone footage of the alleged incident “with some circumspect given mob mentality”.
Mr Cook granted bail on the condition Harder leave the ACT and not enter aside from court dates and legal appointments, reside at his home in Victoria and present to police once a week, and not contact any co-accused.
Mr Cook warned Harder “you will find yourself in difficulty” if he failed to comply.
The matter is expected to return to court later in February for Harder to enter a plea.
Two other men have been charged in relation to the fire on December 30.
Reed was charged with arson and damaging commonwealth property, while Bruce Shillingsworth Jr was charged with abetting arson as police allege he blocked emergency services from reaching the doors as the fire was started.
Police investigations into the fire and people associated with the protest on the day continue.
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