A man who attempted suicide by blowing himself up in a van outside the Australian Christian Lobby headquarters in Canberra said he disliked the organisation and would have been happy to see it destroyed, police allege in court documents.

Jaden Duong, 36, had allegedly Googled “how much gas to cause an explosion”, “countries with same sex marriage” and “Australian Christian Lobby” in the weeks before he blew himself up with four 9kg gas cylinders outside the building on December 21 last year.

When a badly burned Duong was later interviewed by police at hospital he allegedly said he chose the location because he disliked the organisation.

“Why is there a dislike there?” the officer asked.

“Because religions are failed,” Duong allegedly replied.

“And what was your aim at that location?” the officer asked.

“My aims was to blow myself up.”

Officer: “Were there any thoughts about property at that location?”

“Well if that blew up, yay, but actually I was just trying to blow myself up,” Duong allegedly said.

Duong appeared in ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday for the first time since the incident with burns to his face, neck and a bandage over his right hand.

He pleaded not guilty to arson and property damage.

His lawyer Peter Woodhouse told the court although Duong did not dispute what happened he was pleading not guilty on the grounds of mental impairment.

Court documents allege Duong chose his method of death because he thought it would be quick.

The documents claim Duong had planned a “mountaintop bonfire-type thing” but could not find a suitable location as there were too many people.

“The decision to drive to the ACL was spontaneous due to no other significant location and he is ‘not a huge fan’ of the ACL, or religion in general, due to their beliefs and position on sexuality,” the court heard.

The damage to the building is estimated to have cost $100,000.

Duong spent more than three months in hospital recovering from his burns. He was bailed to appear at ACT Supreme Court on August 24 for a directions hearing.

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