‘Death to Australia’: Warning as arson attack comes under terror investigation

A suspected arson attack on a Melbourne defence manufacturer last year is being investigated as an act of terror, as police release video images of a masked figure declaring “death to Australia”.

The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team has today released new images related to the attack on Lovitt Technologies, which took place at 3.55am on Saturday, July 5.

The images appear to show suspects vandalising the Greensborough business and setting multiple vehicles on the property on fire.

Investigators allege the group posted an online video claiming responsibility for the attack last year.

Members shown in the post wore black hooded jumpers, backpacks, and gloves.

“If you continue making weapons components of any kind, there will be consequences,” a modified voice says in the video.

“Death to Israel, death to Australia, death to America.”

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Investigators allege members of the group provided advice on creating incendiary devices similar to those that are suspected to have been used in the Lovitt Technologies attack.

The alleged attackers are accused of targeting the company in the belief that it was part of a broader Australian Defence Force supply chain.

Police are also investigating whether they were “far-left extremists, motivated by anarchist and revolutionary ideologies”.

After the attack on the morning of July 5 last year, the alleged offenders fled via a back fence and travelled on e-bikes south-west along Plenty River.

Motorists who were in the area at the time and who have dashcam footage are urged to come forward, as are any community members with information.

If convicted, the offenders could be facing life imprisonment.

AFP Detective Superintendent Anthony Hall claimed investigators had “some information” about the alleged offenders, and he urged them to come forward.

“At any time, we could be knocking on the door of the accused group,” Hall said.

“We know this is making some in the group anxious – and it should, because we are determined to bring them before the courts.”