Prime Minister Calls for Full Force of Law in Perth Bomb Incident
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared that authorities should "throw the book" at a man charged with allegedly throwing a homemade explosive device into a crowd at an Invasion Day rally in Perth. The shocking incident occurred on 26 January at Forrest Place in the Perth CBD, where approximately 2,500 people had gathered for the protest.
Device Had Potential for Mass Casualties
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch revealed that the "fragment bomb" was designed to explode on impact but failed to detonate. "It had the potential to explode and injure many people or kill them," Blanch stated in an interview with the ABC. The 31-year-old suspect from Warwick, in Perth's northern suburbs, has been charged with committing an unlawful act with intent to harm and making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances.
A suppression order has been granted to conceal the man's identity due to safety concerns. He did not apply for bail and is scheduled to reappear in court on 17 February. Police raided his Warwick home on Monday, where they allegedly discovered "a combination of chemicals and materials consistent with the manufacture of homemade explosives."
Police Investigation Continues with Federal Support
Commissioner Blanch confirmed that the investigation remains active, with assistance from the Australian Federal Police, ASIO, and the national joint counter-terrorism team. "We're in the process of deconstructing the device, downloading his electronic devices, interviewing him, probably on multiple occasions, so there may be more charges forthcoming," Blanch explained. He added that at this stage, the man is believed to have acted alone.
Footage released by WA police shows a man in a black shirt throwing an object from a shopping centre balcony before fleeing the scene. The device landed near a person wearing an Aboriginal flag T-shirt, close to where elders were addressing the rally. Additional police body camera footage captures officers urgently evacuating the square, with one officer announcing: "This is not a drill. Your safety is paramount to us."
Political Condemnation and Calls for Action
Speaking from Darwin, Prime Minister Albanese described the alleged actions as "shocking" and emphasised that the suspect should face the "full force of the law." Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy echoed these sentiments, stating that the incident "could have been a mass casualty event" and condemning the "targeting of a peaceful rally led by First Nations people."
Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has urged the federal government to lead a comprehensive response, highlighting concerns about far-right extremism. "What happened in Perth was not a minor incident," Thorpe asserted, calling for an investigation into potential policing and intelligence failures. The incident has sparked renewed discussions about safety at public gatherings and the protection of First Nations communities during significant cultural events.
