A 20-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly planning a terrorist attack targeting government buildings and mosques in Western Australia, an incident Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described as “deeply shocking.” The suspect appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday, facing five charges, including one of acting in preparation for a terrorist act.

Police said the investigation followed a review of the man’s online activities and a search of his home in Bindoon, a small town about 75 kilometres north of Perth. Officers recovered firearms, gas masks, a ballistic vest, and a manifesto detailing plans for a “mass casualty event.” A notebook found at the residence outlined intended targets, including Muslim places of worship, Western Australia’s Parliament House, and the state police headquarters.

In a post on X late Friday, Albanese condemned the plot, emphasizing that there is no place in Australia “for any kind of racially or religiously-motivated prejudice or hate.” He described the alleged targeting of the Muslim community, alongside police and government facilities, as “particularly distressing.”

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The suspect is also facing charges related to firearms offences, possession of a prohibited weapon, and online harassment. Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch said investigators believe the individual acted alone and that the threat did not extend beyond his own planning.

Authorities have not indicated any further immediate threats, but the arrest highlights ongoing concerns about racially and religiously motivated extremism in Australia. Police are continuing their investigation to determine whether the suspect had any external contacts or networks supporting the plot.

The case underscores a renewed focus on community safety and the prevention of terrorist acts, with officials urging vigilance and reporting of suspicious online and offline activity. The legal proceedings against the accused are ongoing, and further court appearances are expected in the coming weeks.

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