Federal parliament has condemned an attempted bomb attack at the Invasion Day rally in Boorloo/Perth after a homemade explosive device was allegedly thrown into a crowd of about 2,500 people gathered for the annual protest.
Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe moved a motion in the Senate on parliament’s first sitting day, acknowledging the serious harm caused to First Nations communities and calling for urgent action to address racism, hate and violence.
The motion, supported by Labor Senators Malarndirri McCarthy, Jana Stewart and Dorinda Cox, affirmed that Indigenous people in Australia “continue to face entrenched racism, racially-motivated hate and threats of violence, and that any instance of this is unacceptable and must be addressed”.
Western Australia Police allege a 31-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, threw a homemade bomb containing nails, screws, ball bearings and an explosive liquid into the crowd during a smoking ceremony on January 26 before attempting to flee. The device smouldered but failed to detonate.
The man remains in police custody and has been charged with intent to harm in a way that could endanger life, health or safety, as well as making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances. The Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team confirmed the incident is being investigated as a “potential terrorist act”, with further charges not ruled out. Police say no motive has yet been established.
In presenting the motion, Senator Thorpe said parliament must recognise rising racism and violence against First Nations people.
“It asks the parliament to say clearly to First Peoples, ‘We hear you, we believe you, we recognise that racism and hatred directed at you are real and rising,’” she said.
She also told the Senate the attack should be viewed as terrorism.
“Let us be absolutely clear: this should be treated as an act of terror. It was a deliberate act of hate, directly targeting First Peoples on our Day of Mourning.”
Senator McCarthy said eyewitnesses reported the device landing among vulnerable members of the crowd.
“Eyewitnesses have said the device landed in an area reserved for the most vulnerable: people in wheelchairs, babies in prams.”
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said Commonwealth authorities were expected to decide this week whether terrorism charges would be laid, as investigations continue.
