Melbourne street cordoned off before suspected protester taken into custody
A man reportedly threatened to set himself on fire in the lobby of the government building which houses the immigration department in Victoria.
The man doused himself in petrol and walked into the lobby of the building in Lonsdale Street about 3.30pm on Monday.
It is understood he was protesting against the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, which has its Victorian offices in the building.
A police spokeswoman said the man was threatening to harm himself and police had talked to him for two hours before he was taken into custody about 5.30pm.
She said the building had not been evacuated but people claiming they work there tweeted they had been ordered to vacate the premises.
The street was cordoned off along with Spring Street, which is the address of the Victorian parliament.
The Diac building also houses the state offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Tax Office.
