Australian authorities have classified an attempted bombing at a protest rally in Perth as a terrorism incident, marking the first terrorism-related charge of its kind in Western Australia, police confirmed Thursday.
A 31-year-old man has been arrested and charged after allegedly throwing a homemade explosive device into a crowd of several thousand people during a rally on January 26 that protested Australia Day. The device failed to detonate, and no injuries were reported.
Police and Western Australia Premier Roger Cook said investigators believe the suspect was motivated by white supremacist ideology and intended to target Aboriginal people and other demonstrators.
“This charge alleges the attack on Aboriginal people and other peaceful protesters was motivated by hateful, racist ideology,” Cook said at a news conference. He confirmed the case is being treated as terrorism-related under state law, an offense that carries a potential maximum sentence of life imprisonment if proven in court.
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Officials described the incident as a deliberate act of extremist violence rather than a random public safety threat, citing evidence gathered during the investigation.
The attack occurred during a protest linked to Australia Day, a national public holiday that commemorates Britain’s colonization of Australia in 1788. While the day is widely marked with celebrations, citizenship ceremonies, and public events, it has also become a focal point for nationwide protests.
Many Indigenous Australians and supporters refer to the date as “Invasion Day,” arguing it represents the beginning of dispossession and injustice against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Demonstrations are now held annually in major cities, including Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne.
Polling in recent years has shown that most Australians oppose changing the national holiday’s date, despite growing public debate and increasing protest activity.
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Authorities said counterterrorism units are continuing to examine the suspect’s background, online activity, and possible links to extremist networks. Police have not indicated whether additional arrests are expected.
Officials stressed that security measures around major public demonstrations are being reviewed in light of the incident, as Australia continues to confront the growing threat of ideologically motivated lone-actor violence.
