Anti-SUV extremist group strikes in Australia, tyres deflated in Melbourne

A member of the ‘Tyre Extinguishers’ – a radical anti-SUV climate awareness group – has let down the tyres of 20 SUVs and 4x4s in one of Australia’s wealthiest suburbs.

A radical group of anti-SUV climate extremists have reportedly deflated the tyres of more than a dozen large cars in Melbourne’s south-east – though they could face financial penalties and even jail time if caught.

As reported by Nine News Melbourne, residents of Toorak were allegedly targeted late on Thursday night and early Friday morning last week, with approximately 20 SUVs and 4x4s having at least one tyre deflated.

On social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), ‘The Tyre Extinguishers’ – a group which believes the eradication of SUVs would improve the climate, public health and safety – took responsibility for the deflations, claiming it had attacked more vehicles than reported by Nine News.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: 30 SUVS HIT IN TOORAK AREA IN FIRST EVER AUSTRALIAN TX ACTION

SUVs disarmed last night Melbourne's richest suburb. Congrats to Melb TX on the first ever Aussie TX action!

We call on people all over Australia to take action now.https://t.co/cmqm5IOeg7 pic.twitter.com/gBQj7aMKuk

— The Tyre Extinguishers (@T_Extinguishers) September 1, 2023

The self-described ‘leaderless group’ recently claimed responsibility for an attack on a Jaguar dealership in the UK, where members reportedly cut the tyres of “at least 60” vehicles held at the showroom.  

While the UK attack was in retaliation for a fatal car crash involving a Land Rover SUV, the tyre deflations in Melbourne were nothing more than an attempt to draw attention to its cause by targeting motorists in one of Australia’s wealthiest suburbs.

Speaking to Nine News Melbourne, Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Farrugia said the alleged offender behind the attack could be charged with causing criminal damage if caught.

“(If) we do find some damage to either the tyres or the vehicles, we’ll be looking at criminal damage,” Mr Farrugia told Nine News.

In Australia, penalties for criminal damage to cars vary between jurisdictions, though most states and territories can issue fines worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars, as well as terms of imprisonment.

State/Territory	Maximum fine	Maximum imprisonment term
New South Wales	N/A	Five years
Victoria	$4807.75	14 days
Queensland	N/A	Five years
Western Australia	$400	N/A
South Australia	N/A	10 years
Tasmania	$1950	12 months
Australian Capital Territory	$8000	Two years
Northern Territory	N/A	14 years

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