A chilling incident at Monday’s Invasion Day rally in Perth has sparked outrage, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for the perpetrator to encounter the “full force of the law.” The accused, a 31-year-old man who remains unnamed due to legal restrictions, allegedly hurled an improvised explosive device into a crowd of demonstrators.

On Tuesday, police disclosed that the device, though designed to detonate upon impact, ultimately did not explode. This revelation underscores the potential danger faced by those attending the rally, heightening public concern over such acts of violence.

The accused was brought before the Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday. He faces serious charges, including an unlawful act or omission with intent to cause harm, as well as the creation or possession of explosives in suspicious circumstances.

Currently, the individual has not sought bail, and the court has scheduled the next hearing for February 17. As the legal process unfolds, the community and authorities alike remain vigilant, emphasizing the importance of addressing such threats with the utmost seriousness.

He did not apply for bail and the matter was adjourned until 17 February.

The court granted a suppression order of the man’s identity due to fears for his safety.

Albanese earlier said the man’s alleged actions were shocking.

“My view … is that they should throw the book at him,” he told reporters in Darwin.

“This was an incident that is quite shocking. He’s been charged with two serious offences and I look forward to him being prosecuted to the full force of the law.”

Invasion Day rally evacuated

Police evacuated Forrest Place in central Perth shortly after noon on Monday after an object was found near the main stage, where about 2,500 people were gathered.

The man removed the device from his bag and threw it into the crowd from a first-floor walkway before fleeing, police alleged.

Forensic teams searched the man’s home on Monday and the device was examined by the bomb response unit.

It was confirmed to be a homemade improvised explosive device containing a mixture of volatile chemicals, with nails and metal ball bearings attached to the exterior, police said.

A combination of chemicals and materials consistent with the manufacture of homemade explosives were found at the home, police said.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said it was fortunate the device did not explode.

“For whatever reason it hasn’t detonated, but it is explosive compounds and it did contain the ball bearings and the screws and/or nails,” he told Perth radio station 6PR on Tuesday.

All major capital cities hosted Invasion Day protests, while opposing right-wing March for Australia rallies took place in capitals and some regional centres on Australia Day.

January 26 is a day of mourning for many Indigenous people, marking the First Fleet’s 1788 arrival and the start of British colonisation.

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