Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was moved out of the Lodge in Canberra late Tuesday after a bomb threat was sent to organisers linked to Shen Yun Performing Arts, a Chinese classical dance and music company due to tour Australia.
Federal police searched the prime minister’s official residence after an email, written in Chinese said explosives had been placed around the property and would be set off if Shen Yun performances went ahead.
Mr Albanese was taken to another location for several hours while checks were carried out.
Authorities later said they found nothing suspicious and there was no ongoing risk to the public. Mr Albanese returned to the Lodge later that night.
Speaking in Melbourne on Wednesday, Mr Albanese urged people to calm down the public debate saying the incident was a reminder that “we can’t take these things for granted”. A spokesperson for the prime minister thanked police for their work.
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National security and law enforcement agencies are investigating the threat. Police have not identified where it came from and officials warned against jumping to conclusions about who was behind it.
Local and international media reported the email was one of several threatening messages received in recent days and passed on to authorities.
The incident happened as Shen Yun prepares to open its Australian season on the Gold Coast with more shows planned in other cities over the next month.
The Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts was evacuated earlier this week after an unverified threat linked to the upcoming performance with police later saying no suspicious items were found.
