Man Accused of Plotting WA Terror Attack Believed Plan Worse Than Bondi Shootings
The Perth Magistrates Court was informed that Jayson Joseph Michaels, a 20-year-old man, allegedly planned to launch a violent assault on the Western Australian Parliament House and other public buildings. During a failed bail application on Wednesday, the court heard disturbing details from a diary seized by police, which outlined his intentions for a mass casualty terror attack.
Diary Details Alleged Terror Plot
Commonwealth prosecutor Kirsten Nelson presented evidence that Michaels' diary contained entries describing a planned "day of justice." The document allegedly listed actions such as making weapons and body armor, with targets including WA police headquarters, Parliament House, and mosques. Nelson stated, "The diary is a clear expression of his intent to engage in a terrorist act," emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations.
Michaels faces five charges, including acting in preparation for a terrorist act, following a police raid on his parents' home in Bindoon, north of Perth, in February. The diary was found in a locked drawer, and Magistrate Belinda Coleman described its contents as "chilling material" with derogatory references to various ethnic groups, noting it was not merely "ramblings."
Comparison to Bondi Beach Attack
In his diary, Michaels allegedly compared his terror plot to the Bondi beach mass shootings that occurred on 14 December, which resulted in 15 deaths and numerous injuries. He wrote, "What I want to do to both these groups pales in comparison to today," and pondered, "What will they all think when my face is on TV?" This comparison highlighted his belief that his planned assault would be more severe.
The court also heard that Michaels accessed online material related to extremist white supremacist ideology, including content described as a manifesto and instruction manual from a declared terrorist organization. He researched entry points and door locks at target locations and considered using a van disguised as an ambulance for escape.
Defense Argues Fantasy, Not Intent
Defense lawyer Christian Porter, a former federal attorney general, argued that Michaels was an isolated and depressed young man with no genuine intention to carry out the plan. Porter characterized the diary as "a pie-in-the-sky dream" and "a Walter Mitty-esque fantasy," suggesting it had "all the hallmarks of a Marvel comic." He claimed Michaels was "a pretender full of big talk" and that the crown's case was weak due to its reliance on the diary.
However, evidence presented in court included Michaels' alleged efforts to buy a 3D printer to manufacture a gun and his brief employment at a job where he could access bomb-making materials, though he left empty-handed after one day. Police also found two guns, 900 rounds of ammunition, and various knives in his bedroom during the raid.
Court Proceedings and Bail Denial
Magistrate Belinda Coleman denied bail, citing the disturbing nature of the diary entries and the weapons found. Michaels appeared via video link from Casuarina prison, sporting a chin beard and long hair past his shoulders. He has not yet entered pleas and is scheduled to face Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on 13 May for further proceedings.
The case has drawn attention to issues of extremist ideology and terror threats in Western Australia, with authorities emphasizing the importance of vigilance in counter-terrorism efforts. The court's decision reflects the seriousness with which such allegations are treated, balancing concerns for public safety against the rights of the accused.
