A Victorian man who allegedly lit a fire at Old Parliament House and was caught breaching his bail conditions just 15 minutes after leaving jail has been granted bail for a second time by the ACT Magistrates Court.

Yesterday, Nicholas Reed, 30, was granted bail on the condition that he not enter the ACT unless for legal or court appointments, and not enter the suburb of Parkes or the Aboriginal tent embassy except for one time in the company of an Australian Federal Police officer to collect his belongings.

The court heard he was caught by police in a car in Parkes just 15 minutes after leaving Canberra's jail, the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

Magistrate Peter Morrison today said he believed the man had misunderstood his bail conditions.

Magistrate Morrison granted Mr Reed bail for a second time. He also lifted a non-publication order on his name. 

Yesterday, the court heard more details about how authorities believe the fire took hold of the historic building's front entrance, with Mr Reed allegedly carrying burning coals from a nearby fire to the front doors.

The court also heard that he had been a part of a group holding ongoing protests in the area near the Aboriginal tent embassy outside Old Parliament House.

Crowds have been gathering at the embassy ahead of its 50th anniversary, which will be marked on Australia Day.

Protesters causing damage to be removed by January 24: top cop

ACT Chief Police Officer Neil Gaughan told ABC Radio Canberra this morning that he wanted the protesters accused of causing damage to Old Parliament House have left the tent embassy by January 24.

He noted that many of the protesters were from interstate and did not have the support of local elders or the Aboriginal tent embassy.

"This was always a concern that I had that people would hijack the date and unfortunately that appears that is what they are trying to do," he said.

Commissioner Gaughan said ACT Policing was working closely with local Indigenous elders on the matter.

"There are a number of other people who are currently on that site who are not from the ACT or don't have the best interest of the ACT and what they're trying to achieve at heart."

Museum believes the damage will be long-lasting

It is believed the badly-charred portico at Old Parliament House in Canberra will not be able to be salvaged after the fire.

Director of the Museum of Australian Democracy within Old Parliament House, Daryl Karp, said the damage to the front entrance was "tragic".

"The doors and the portico are very severely damaged," she said

Meanwhile, Ms Karp said security at the heritage building was being reviewed.

"We now have to plan, or consider at least, it being a more secure building with less openness and less opportunity for people to come together to voice their differences in a peaceful way," she said.