Australian news and politics live: Perth Invasion Day alleged bombing attempt declared act of terror

Curtin MP Kate Chaney has used a speech in Federal Parliament to call for the community to come together in the wake of the suspected double murder suicide in WA’s Mosman Park.

“It brings profound sadness, but also anger, frustration and unfortunately some division,” she said.

“At the centre of this tragedy were two children whose lives were precious. They deserved safety, opportunity and the chance to grow into their futures.

“For young people living with disability, who are, like all young people, forming a view of themselves, this is a terrifying story.

“For families of people living with disability, this event may stir up anger, or memories of your hardest moments or fears for the future.

“It is clear this tragedy has reopened conversations about how our society sees disabled people, how we support families and how we can prevent anyone from feeling alone or without options.

“As we mourn the loss of this family, we must stand together, acknowledge the pain caused to so many in our community by this devastating event and recommit to protecting every precious life.”

While speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Fremantle MP Josh Wilson described the alleged attack as “an attempt to cause a mass casualty event”.

“As the Prime Minister has noted, it’s entirely appropriate that the incident is being considered as a possible terrorist event,” he said.

“What occurred was a frightening moment that could have been a catastrophic tragedy.

“I want to acknowledge all the attendees who responded calmly and safely in a bewildering and fraught situation, including for the police.”

Federal politicians have spoken in support for fresh terrorism charges for a 31-year-old man who allegedly threw a homemade bomb into a Perth protest on Australia Day.

The charges mark the first of their kind in WA and come after a joint investigation by the WA Police, Australian Federal Police and ASIO.

The Federal Government insisted the incident was treated with the utmost seriousness since it occurred but said a methodical investigation by “right people, with the right experience” had to take place.

“Racism has no place in our society,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, Perth MP Patrick Gorman, and Minister for Indigenous Australia’s Malarndirri McCarthy said in a joint statement.

“Within 40 minutes, the WA JCTT was engaged, which includes the Western Australian Police Force, Australian Federal Police, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

“This meant the right people, with the right experience, were engaged from the very start of the investigation.

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Police have declared the attempted bombing of the Forrest Place Invasion Day rally on January 26 an act of terror.

Authorities allege the incident saw a man allegedly hurl a liquid-filled glass container, wrapped in ball bearings and screws and designed to detonate on impact, into a crowd of 2500 demonstrators.

WA’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team on Thursday said the incident was ideologically driven.

Premier Roger Cook said the man was allegedly driven by a “hateful, racist ideology”.

The 31-year-old has now been charged with engaging in a terrorist act — a first in WA.

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The will-they-won’t-they Coalition games continue with Nationals Leader David Littleproud fronting media this morning to say he won’t be making a running commentary in the media.

“The National Party has been respectful all the way through, and with that respect comes the fact that you don’t give running commentary about where we’re at, but we’ll continue to work in a constructive way,” he told reporters.

He said there was “no decision today” on whether his party could rejoin with the Liberals.

Liberal Leader Sussan Ley has given a deadline of this weekend for a decision, saying she wanted to appoint a full Liberal-only shadow ministry to take into next week’s sittings if no deal was reached.

Mr Littleproud this morning said that “deadlines aren’t always constructive”.

However, he also said he expected there would be a functioning Coalition before the next election.

“Considering where we are in terms of the electoral cycle, I think everyone just needs to take a cold shower,” he said.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has responded to assertions from a UN member that Australia should arrest the Israeli President Isaac Herzog when he visits next week.

She said the community had asked for Mr Herzog to visit and he had been invited by the Governor-General and Prime Minister to do so.

“I have said previously that Israel will be judged by the International Court of Justice on its compliance with the genocide convention, and I’ve also said previously that it must accept its responsibility for the humanitarian situation in Gaza. But let’s again go back to the context of this visit,” Senator Wong said.

“We have the Australian Jewish community, who have been targeted in an overtly antisemitic terrorist attack, we have had 15 Australians die, we have families mourning, and this was a request from the Jewish community for President Herzog to visit. He is here to provide support to that community and to honour the victims of this horrific terror attack.”

Richard Marles has defended the Government’s $3 billion firesale of the defence estate, claiming Labor is growing the force.

The Defence Minister said the argument put forward by some overnight that selling off properties in inner cities would harm recruitment prospects was “a red herring”.

“The fact of the matter is, when we came to Government, the Defence Force was shrinking. We’ve got it growing again now. Separation rates are much lower than the average. We’ve got more people showing an interest in joining the Defence Force than we have for decades,” he told Sunrise.

“So we’re actually getting recruitment going. But we simply cannot continue to spend money securing property that we don’t use.”

A Sydney teenager could face up to 10 years in prison after allegedly making an online death threat towards Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The threat was allegedly made on a social media platform by 19-year-old Newtown man Darcy Tinning in January.

After a raid on his home on Wednesday, Mr Tinning was charged with using a carriage service to make a threat to kill. A mobile phone and drug paraphernalia were seized during the search.

The Australian Federal Police’s National Security Investigations team led the investigation after AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett announced a crackdown in October 2025 on groups and individuals targeting the Jewish community.

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Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has defended the Government’s invitation to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, saying his visit will be very important in the aftermath of the Bondi terror attack.

“He will be a welcome and honoured visitor to our country. It is an important visit in terms of the bilateral relationship between Australia and Israel, but in the context of what occurred at Bondi, the visit of the President of Israel will be particularly significant to Australia’s Jewish community,” Mr Marles said.

“I know that his visit will be very meaningful for Australia’s Jewish community.”

Labor MP Ed Husic warned that he didn’t think the Israeli leader’s visit would enhance social cohesion in Australia.

Former prime minister John Howard says it is “imperative” that Liberal Leader Sussan Ley and Nationals Leader David Littleproud get the Coalition back together.

“Both sides have to … concentrate on reforming the Coalition, which is the political imperative that transcends all else,” Mr Howard told The Australian.

“There’s no point in debating what has happened in the last two weeks and the priority must be the reforming of the Coalition.

“Conservative politics work best when there is a functioning Coalition which overall has the same views on economic policy.”

So far, the Liberals and Nationals appear no closer to reunifying the Coalition, as the stalemate drags on.