____ wrote on Jul 22
nd, 2016 at 8:57am:
George Christensen walks back claim 'radical Islam' to blame for Merrylands attack
Coalition MP George Christensen has been forced to walk back an angry statement blaming "radical Islam" for the attack on Merrylands Police Station on Thursday night, but appeared to defend his comments by saying it was "surprising" it wasn't a terror attack given it took place in the western Sydney suburb.
Sydney police ruled out terrorism as a motive for the attack involving a man in his 60s, who is understood to have a history of mental health issues, who set himself on fire and rammed into the roller door of the Merrylands police station. Early reporting on a range of news media websites, including the ABC, Fairfax and News Corp reported the attack may have been a possible terrorism incident. Officers from the Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal unit attended the scene.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/george-christensen-forced-... As a politician it's his job to engage brain before mouth. His bad. However given it was Merrylands, it's not exactly a huge misunderstanding.
Thursday night's attack comes after a history of threats against the station, including a planned shooting that was allegedly uncovered late last year.
In November, a student from Arthur Phillip High School - the same school attended by 15-year-old Farhad Jabar, who fatally shot police accountant Curtis Cheng - was charged after allegedly posting on social media "merryland [sic] police station is next hope they all burn in hell" and "them lil piggies get shot".
It is believed the station was fortified after police became aware of the threats, but it is not known if the renovations helped to stop the car from gaining access on Thursday night.