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Updated 26 January 2026 - Police confirm no injuries after incident during Australia Day protests.
Arrest made after device thrown at Perth rally
Police in Western Australia have detained a 31-year-old man after he allegedly hurled a suspected explosive device into a crowd gathered for an Indigenous rights demonstration in central Perth on Monday.
The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 local time (04:30 GMT) in Forrest Place, a pedestrian zone where thousands had assembled for an Invasion Day rally, coinciding with Australia Day.
Device contained ball bearings and liquid
Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch told reporters the object, roughly the size of a medium coffee cup, failed to detonate. It was described as a rudimentary device containing ball bearings, screws, and an unidentified liquid inside a glass container.
Forensic teams are currently analyzing the liquid. Blanch stated there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to public safety.
No injuries reported; witnesses describe moment of throw
No one was harmed in the incident, police confirmed. Witnesses told public broadcaster ABC News they saw the man toss the object toward the front of a stage while speeches were underway.
Political leaders condemn the act
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook called the incident "completely unacceptable," emphasizing the need for mutual respect amid differing views.
"We can't let hate win. Now, more than ever, it is important that we treat each other's views with respect. It's our differences and diversity which has made Australia the country that we all love."
Roger Cook, Premier of Western Australia
Context of Australia Day and recent tensions
Australia Day, observed on 26 January, commemorates the 1788 arrival of the British First Fleet in Sydney Cove. For many Indigenous Australians and their allies, the date is known as Invasion Day, symbolizing the beginning of colonization and its lasting impacts.
The national holiday frequently sparks protests across major cities. This year, several events were canceled or scaled back due to extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in parts of the country.
Security backdrop
The incident follows a deadly attack on Sydney's Bondi Beach in late November, where 15 people were killed during a Jewish festival. Australia's national terrorism threat level remains at "probable," the third-highest on a five-tier scale.
