Up to 20 SUVs parked in one of Melbourne's wealthiest suburbs were attacked in the night last week, with owners waking to find the cars' tyres let down.
Climate activist group Tyre Extinguishers claimed responsibility for the sabotage in Toorak, signalling a local offshoot has emerged in Australia following the group's liftoff in the US and various European countries.
A spate of attacks internationally suggests the group is not going away anytime soon – and one expert claims their actions could be a "gateway to violence".
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And with SUVs making up more than 50 per cent of new vehicles sold in Australia last year, it's worthwhile to look at who the Tyre Extinguishers are, what are their goals and how attacks could escalate here.
Who are Tyre Extinguishers?
Tyre Extinguishers, or TX, have one aim, according to the group's website: "To make it impossible to own a huge polluting 4×4 in the world's urban areas."
Although TX now has affiliates in more than 20 countries – including the US, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK – it claims to be a "leaderless, autonomous movement" of groups, who act independently.
When did TX start?
While the nighttime ambush on SUVs in Toorak was new for Australia, TX has been active in international cities for some time.
The group registered a website and started a Twitter account in July 2021, and TX has claimed responsibility for many attacks around the world since.
What happens next with TX in Australia?
SUV owners in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne are bound to suffer more attacks over the next 6-12 months, Orr said, as more TX groups spring up.
"This movement will probably grow as they get notoriety through these acts, and they will achieve some level of success."
Over time, leadership can splinter and more radicalised offshoots can form.
"That's when you can start to see acts of violence that threaten people physically."