Arrest of Western Australia man over alleged terror plot ‘deeply shocking’, PM Albanese says

The 20-year-old had written a manifesto with plans for a mass casualty event. Read more at straitstimes.com.

SYDNEY – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the arrest on Feb 27 of a Western Australian (WA) man over an alleged terror plot targeting mosques, police and a Parliament building was “deeply shocking”.

The 20-year-old from the town of Bindoon, about 63km north of state capital Perth, was later charged by police with planning a terrorist act.

The police said the man had written a manifesto with plans for a mass casualty event and that he wanted to attack mosques, Western Australia’s police headquarters and Parliament House.

Mr Albanese said on social media platform X late on Feb 27: “The arrest of a WA man over an alleged racially motivated terrorist plot is deeply shocking.

“Allegations the man was planning to target the Muslim community through attacks on mosques – as well as attacks on the WA police and Parliament – are particularly distressing. He should face the full force of the law,” Mr Albanese said.

The arrest is the latest in a series of incidents in Australia classified as terrorism, including an attempt on Jan 26 to bomb a rally in Perth that was protesting against the country’s national day.