A major defence event in Canberra was disrupted on Wednesday after police evacuated attendees following reports of a suspicious package at the Hyatt Hotel.
ACT Policing attended the scene and a bomb response team was deployed as a precaution. Hundreds of delegates were temporarily cleared from the venue while the matter was assessed. Authorities have not confirmed details of the package, and investigations remain ongoing. No injuries were reported.
Earlier in the day, a rock was thrown through a hotel window shortly before a senior defence official was due to address the gathering. The sudden noise caused alarm among attendees, with some reportedly mistaking it for gunfire before calm was restored and proceedings resumed.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking to media in Tasmania, condemned the disruption and called for restraint in public debate.
“I think I continue to just say, people need to turn the temperature down, politicians and people – that does nothing to advance a cause, that just alienates people from whatever the supposed cause that this person has done,” Mr Albanese said.
“People who break the law also should face the full force of the law.”
The incidents occurred on the same day as a planned protest near the venue organised by activists critical of Australia’s defence industry ties and government policy relating to Israel. Protest organisers had outlined demands including sanctions on Israel and an end to collaboration between certain institutions and defence contractors.
At the time of reporting, it was unclear whether the suspicious package and the earlier damage to the hotel were connected to the protest activity.
ACT Policing has not indicated any ongoing threat to public safety and inquiries are continuing.
