Traditional custodians, police reckon with aftermath of Old Parliament House fire

The AFP and ACT Policing said footage captured by body cameras has already identified several suspects who will be questioned by authorities, as they announced a joint taskforce.

As of Friday evening, no arrests had been made.

"The establishment of the taskforce, which will build on investigations that began immediately yesterday, underscores the zero tolerance authorities have for violence, destruction of property and assaulting police," they said in a statement.

"Those who break the law will be arrested and charged."

Police will be investigating those responsible for damaging Commonwealth property, as well as other state and Commonwealth charges, including arson and incitement.

Ngunawal traditional custodian Wally Bell said protesters occupying the area near the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, which stands before Old Parliament House, had not sought permission to be on country.

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy has condemned the actions of protesters and said the group are not associated with the embassy.

"Because it's the seat of government for the whole of Australia, they think that gives them the right and the privilege to be here, but it doesn't," Mr Bell said of the protesters who took action on Thursday.

"Firstly, they've got to respect whose country it is, and secondly, they've also then got to seek permission from the traditional custodians to be allowed on country to do ... things such as this."

"I think we would never have granted them permission to do so," he said.

In a statement, Ngambri Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Matilda House said the actions of protesters on Thursday "do not represent the Aboriginal community here".

"As custodians of the ACT and surrounding region, my family are always open for respectful dialogue, to support and take care of the many men, women and their families that find themselves here on our beautiful Lands.

"I am disappointed these protestors chose to disregard cultural protocols and not communicate with myself or other Elders of my family."

The group included members of the Millions March Against Mandatory Vaccination group, which livestreamed the protest, while people identifying themselves as "sovereign citizens" - who believe Australian laws don't apply to them - also appear to have been involved.

Ghillar Michael Anderson, one of the four founding men to establish the Aboriginal Embassy, said that across the country Aboriginal people were being approached by radical groups, but this was not the way forward. He condemned violence and said the key was for politicians to listen to Aboriginal Elders.

"We didn't react violently to those mining companies when they destroyed our sites. There's a sector that's doing this here, but it's got nothing to do with the embassy," he said.

The AFP and ACT Policing will increase their presence at the Old Parliament House precinct over the coming weeks.

"The AFP and ACT Policing respect the right to peacefully protest, and negotiations with elders within the protest group continue," their statement read.

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