Arrest of Western Australia man over alleged terror plot ‘deeply shocking’, PM Albanese says

SYDNEY, Feb 28 (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday’s arrest of a Western Australian man over an alleged terror plot targeting mosques, police and a parliament building was “deeply shocking”.

The 20-year-old from the town of Bindoon about 63 km (39 miles) north of state capital Perth was later charged by police with planning a terrorist act. Police said the man had written a manifesto with plans for a mass casualty event and that he wanted to attack mosques, Western Australia’s police headquarters and Parliament House.

Albanese said on X late on Friday: “The arrest of a WA man over an alleged racially-motivated terrorist plot is deeply shocking.”

“Allegations the man was planning to target the Muslim community through attacks on mosques – as well as attacks on the WA police and parliament – are particularly distressing. He should face the full force of the law,” Albanese said.

The arrest is the latest in a series of incidents in Australia classified as terrorism, including an attempt on January 26 to bomb a rally in Perth that was protesting against the country’s national day.

In December, two gunmen attacked a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing 15 in Australia’s deadliest massacre in nearly 30 years. Authorities believe the pair were inspired by Islamic State, the Sunni Muslim militant group.

(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Tom Hogue)