Perth Man to Plead Insanity in Alleged Invasion Day Rally Bomb Attempt
Liam Alexander Hall, a 32-year-old Perth man accused of attempting to bomb an Invasion Day rally in 2026, is set to pursue a not guilty by insanity plea, according to his legal team. Hall's lawyers have indicated they will rely on a mental health defense under section 27 of the Criminal Code Act, which absolves criminal responsibility if a mental illness renders a person incapable of understanding or controlling their actions.
Court Proceedings and Adjournment
Hall was scheduled to appear before magistrate Matthew Walton via video link from Western Australia's most secure psychiatric facility, the Frankland Centre at Graylands hospital, but did not attend. Instead, the case was adjourned until May. His lawyer, Simon Freitag, informed the court that they hope to enter a plea within eight weeks, pending an independent psychiatric assessment.
Freitag stated, "We have identified a practitioner who can do a report on Mr Hall in terms of a section 27 defense." An independent assessment is required because the report cannot be completed by Hall's treating psychiatrist. The court noted some improvement in Hall's condition, and the case is expected to progress to Perth's supreme court.
Alleged Incident and Charges
On 26 January 2026, approximately 2,500 people gathered in Perth's CBD for an Invasion Day rally when Hall allegedly threw a homemade "fragment bomb" filled with ball bearings and nails from a first-floor walkway into the crowd. The device, designed to explode on impact, did not detonate. Hall faces serious charges, including:
- Engaging in a terrorist act
- Making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances
- Intent to harm or doing an act endangering life, health, or safety
Treatment and Facility Conditions
Hall is currently undergoing treatment at the Frankland Centre, a facility that houses mentally unwell prisoners and those facing criminal charges. This centre has faced criticism from mental health advocates for its "inhumane" conditions in the past. It is currently undergoing a $219 million redevelopment to address these concerns.
Hall remains remanded at the psychiatric facility until 27 May, as legal proceedings continue. Support services are available for Indigenous Australians and others in crisis, including 13YARN, Lifeline, Mensline, and Beyond Blue.
