Former Australian Parliament damaged by protest fire

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia's former Parliament building caught fire during an Aboriginal rights protest Thursday (Dec 30), officials said, causing limited damage.

The blaze occurred when police broke up a traditional smoking ceremony by a small number of activists at the building's entrance.

The Canberra building was home to the country's federal Parliament from 1927 to 1988 and now houses the Museum of Australian Democracy.

The museum said in a statement that it is "closed until further notice while we address fire damage caused by protesters today."

There was no immediate news about the extent of the damage, but images showed flames and smoke coming from wooden double-doors at the building's entrance.

The vast majority of the edifice remained untouched, and the blaze was said to have been quickly extinguished.

Activist Albert Hartnett said in a Facebook post that police had used pepper spray to break up the demonstration, which he alleged had caused the roof of a portico to catch fire.

The National Heritage Register-listed building has been the scene of a series of protests by an "Aboriginal Tent Embassy" in recent weeks.

Past protests included lighting a fire by the building's doors.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was "disgusted" and "appalled" by an attack on what he called a symbol of democracy.

"People should face the consequence of their actions," he said.

Government Member of Parliament David Littleproud denounced the damage.

"No matter your race, your religion, your belief in this country, no one has the right to damage property demonstrating, particularly a symbol of our democracy which hundreds of thousands of Australians died defending," he said.