A Perth man accused of throwing what authorities believe was an improvised explosive device into a crowd at an Invasion Day rally on Australia Day has prompted a strong response from the federal government, with Australia’s prime minister urging that the accused be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The incident occurred on January twenty-six in Forrest Place, Perth, when a thirty-one-year-old man allegedly hurled a homemade device containing volatile components, ball bearings and screws toward an estimated two-thousand-five-hundred people gathered for the demonstration.

The device failed to detonate and no injuries have been reported, but police and national security agencies are investigating the episode as a potential terrorist act.

Western Australia police, the Australian Federal Police and the domestic security service are working jointly to determine the motives behind the man’s actions, with further charges possible as the inquiry progresses.

The suspect was arrested at the scene and faces charges including possession of explosives under suspicious circumstances and intent to harm, with a court-imposed suppression order protecting his identity while he remains in custody.

Authorities have emphasised that there is currently no known ongoing danger to public safety.

Speaking to reporters while on official duties in Darwin, the prime minister described the alleged act as “shocking” and said the case should be pursued vigorously through the justice system.

He expressed his expectation that prosecutors will ensure the accused is held to account under Australia’s existing legal framework, underscoring the government’s commitment to upholding public safety and the rule of law.

The broader national context of rising concerns about violent extremism and public safety in recent months has heightened attention on how authorities and policymakers respond to such incidents.

In late December, the nation was shaken by a mass shooting in Sydney that left fifteen people dead and numerous others wounded at a Hanukkah festival, prompting calls for strengthened security measures and legislative reviews across the political spectrum.

Federal and state leaders have reiterated commitments to countering violent extremism and protecting communities while ensuring that justice is served through established legal channels.