A 20 year old man from Bindoon, north of Perth has been charged after police said they found detailed plans for a mass casualty attack targeting public buildings and Muslim places of worship in Western Australia.
Jayson Joseph Michaels appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday facing five charges including acting in preparation for a terrorist act.
He has also been charged with using a carriage service to menace or harass, possessing a prohibited weapon and two firearms offences. He was remanded in custody and is due to return to court on March 23.
The WA Joint Counter Terrorism Team which includes WA Police, the Australian Federal Police and ASIO had said the charges followed an investigation into the man’s alleged online activity and a search warrant at his home on Thursday.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch said officers seized firearms and imitation firearms along with items including a ballistic vest, gas masks and lock-picking equipment.
He said a notebook found during the search allegedly set out preparations for an attack at significant locations including WA Police headquarters, Parliament House and places of Muslim faith.
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WA Premier Roger Cook said it would be alleged the man was motivated by a white supremacist ideology and authorities stressed there was no ongoing threat to the community.
Police said they had increased security around Parliament House and Muslim places of worship as a precaution.
The police also alleged they found a manifesto-style document outlining plans for a nationalist and racist ideologically motivated act of violent extremism involving mass casualties and that items seized included a butterfly knife and ammunition that was not stored securely.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that “The allegations are deeply shocking.” He said Australians have a right to safety and condemned prejudice and hate based on race or religion.
