A 32-year-old man has been charged with hate crime offences after a utility vehicle was used to ram the gates of a synagogue in Brisbane's central business district.
Police allege the man was driving a Toyota Hilux when he knocked down the gates of the Margaret Street property shortly after 7pm on Friday. He fled the scene but was taken into custody a short time later. The Sunnybank man faces charges including wilful damage, serious vilification, dangerous operation of a vehicle and drug possession.
Queensland police Acting Superintendent Michael Hogan said the attack was targeted at the synagogue but was not being treated as a terrorist incident. "Specialist counter-terrorism officers have been involved from the very start, and I can confirm this is not considered a terrorist incident," he said. "Police are considering the man's mental health and intoxication as contributing factors."
CCTV footage released by police shows a person inside the synagogue grounds jumping backwards as the ute strikes the gates. No one was injured, and police believe the attacker did not intend to enter the building. The vice-president of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, Libby Burke, said the Jewish community was "deeply distressed" and that the attack was an attack on all Queenslanders.
Premier David Crisafulli described the incident as concerning and said he had spoken to Jewish leaders. He reiterated his commitment to passing new laws to protect people at places of worship, though an inquiry has heard that Islamic and ethnic community councils were not consulted before the bill was drafted. Police said their investigation was ongoing.
