The attempted attack at a Perth Australia Day rally involved a homemade explosive device packed with screws and ball bearings that was thrown into a crowd of more than 2,500 but failed to detonate. The 31-year-old suspect was arrested within minutes and initially charged with intent to harm; authorities later laid Western Australia’s first terrorism charge, alleging a racist, pro‑white motivation. Officials warned of rising online radicalisation and defended recent anti‑hate laws; the episode has intensified debate over Australia Day and national unity.
Perth Australia Day Rally Targeted in Alleged Bombing — WA’s First Terror Charge
The protest in Perth was targeted by a man ‘motivated by hateful, racist ideology’ - Alamy
Police say Aboriginal people and other peaceful protesters were targeted when a homemade explosive device was thrown into a crowd at an Australia Day rally in central Perth. More than 2,500 people were attending the demonstration on Jan. 26 when the device, reportedly filled with screws and ball bearings, was hurled from a shopping-centre balcony; it failed to detonate.
Incident Details
Authorities allege the 31-year-old suspect concealed the device inside a child’s sock and lit a fuse before throwing it into the crowd. Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the fuse was burning but the device did not explode, adding:
“We should all be thankful that we don’t have deceased or seriously injured people in Western Australia today.”
Crowds pay their respects to the victims of the Bondi Beach attacks. The Australian government has since toughened hate speech laws - Stephanie Simcox
Charges and Motivations
The suspect was arrested within minutes and charged with intent to harm on Jan. 27. Authorities later laid Western Australia’s first terrorism charge in this case, saying the alleged attack was driven by hateful, racist ideology aimed at First Nations people and other protesters. Police indicated the suspect appeared to have been "self-radicalised" by online material promoting pro‑white ideology and linked the influence of far‑right groups such as the National Socialist Network.
Official Reactions
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook said the incident had shaken the nation:
“Any attack on our First Nations people is an attack on all of us.”Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett warned the terror charge carries a potential life sentence and said the action should deter others "mobilising towards violence." Commissioner Blanch and other officials also highlighted a worrying rise in racism and online radicalisation.
Indigenous people consider Australia Day the start of a genocide against the country’s original inhabitants - Alamy
Context: Anti-Hate Laws and Australia Day Debate
The case comes in the wake of anti-hate legislation introduced after the December Bondi Beach attack, which targeted the Jewish community. The reforms — including formal designations of groups such as the National Socialist Network and Hizb ut‑Tahrir under new rules — triggered a contentious national debate about scope, timing and free-speech concerns.
Jan. 26 (Australia Day) remains an official holiday, but the date is increasingly contested. Protesters and many Indigenous Australians mark the day as “Invasion Day.” Recent polls show the nation divided: a Deakin University survey found 37% support changing the date, while other research reported a record 60.5% backing retention of the current name and date.
Ongoing Investigation
Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the attack, possible online influences and whether any others were involved. Officials urged community leaders to condemn hatred and to work together to prevent further radicalisation and violence.
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