Federal parliament has formally condemned the alleged attempted bombing at the January 26 Invasion Day rally in Perth with motions passing in both chambers as MPs and senators warned the incident could have caused mass casualties.
Police allege a man threw a homemade explosive device into the crowd gathered at Forrest Place in Perth’s CBD, during the annual protest.
The device did not detonate and officers moved quickly to clear the area with investigators later describing the incident as being treated as a potential terrorist act.
A 31 year old man from the northern suburb of Warwick has been charged with offences including an unlawful act with intent to harm and making or possessing explosives in suspicious circumstances.
A suppression order prevents him being identified and police have said the investigation into motive remains ongoing.
In the Senate, independent senator Lidia Thorpe moved the condemnation motion, backed by Labor’s Malarndirri McCarthy, Jana Stewart and Dorinda Cox and passed without opposition.
In the House of Representatives, teal independent Kate Chaney introduced a related motion, arguing that attacks targeting a marginalised group reverberate well beyond those at the scene.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament a broader response was needed to protect social cohesion, flagging concerns about polarisation and online radicalisation as authorities continue their work.
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Senators also pressed the government on anti racism action with Thorpe urging progress on the Australian Human Rights Commission National Anti Racism Framework while ministers and the opposition stressed the alleged offender should face the full force of the law if the case is proven.
