Prime Minister Calls for Maximum Prosecution After Perth Rally Bomb Scare
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared that authorities should "throw the book" at a man accused of throwing a homemade explosive device into a crowd during an Invasion Day rally in Perth. The shocking incident occurred on Monday, 26th 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 alleged "fragment bomb" was designed to explode on impact but fortunately failed to detonate. "It had the potential to explode and injure many people or kill them," Commissioner Blanch told the ABC, describing the device as particularly dangerous. Police have released footage showing a man in a black shirt throwing an object from a shopping centre balcony before fleeing the scene.
The footage clearly shows the object falling through the air and landing near a person wearing an Aboriginal flag T-shirt, directly in front of the stage where elders were addressing the peaceful assembly. Additional police body camera footage captures officers urgently evacuating the square, with one officer heard pleading: "This is not a drill. Your safety is paramount to us."
Suspect Faces Serious Charges with More Possible
A 31-year-old man from the northern Perth suburb of Warwick has been arrested and charged with:
- Committing an unlawful act with intent to harm (endangering life, health or safety)
- Making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances
The court has granted a suppression order to protect the man's identity due to safety concerns. He did not apply for bail and will next appear in court on 17th February. Commissioner Blanch confirmed that "there may be more charges forthcoming" as investigations continue with assistance from multiple agencies including the Australian Federal Police, ASIO, and the national joint counter-terrorism team.
Political Condemnation and Calls for Investigation
Speaking from Darwin, Prime Minister Albanese described the alleged actions as "quite shocking" and expressed his expectation that the suspect would be "prosecuted to the full force of the law." The incident has drawn strong condemnation from political figures across the spectrum.
Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy stated that "the targeting of a peaceful rally led by First Nations people is sickening" and emphasised that "there is no place for hate, intimidation, or racism of any form in Australia." She noted the incident could have become a "mass casualty event."
Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has called for a "comprehensive investigation" into the incident, including potential policing and intelligence failures. She condemned what she described as an attack on First Peoples during what many Indigenous Australians consider a "Day of Mourning," noting the concerning context of "escalating far-right extremism."
Police Investigation Uncovers Explosive Materials
WA police conducted a raid on the suspect's Warwick home on Monday, where forensic teams and officers in camouflage gear allegedly discovered "a combination of chemicals and materials consistent with the manufacture of homemade explosives." Commissioner Blanch confirmed that electronic devices are being examined and multiple interviews with the suspect are planned.
At this stage, police believe the man acted alone, but investigations into potential motivations and ideologies continue. The federal home affairs minister, Tony Burke, has been briefed on the incident but declined to comment publicly while the investigation remains active.
The incident has raised serious questions about security at public gatherings and the protection of peaceful protesters, particularly during events that attract significant public attention and emotional resonance like Invasion Day rallies.
