Key Takeaways:
- WA Police is investigating the alleged Invasion Day rally attack as a "potential terrorist attack"
- First Nations leaders have welcomed the investigation, but are calling for stronger action from the government to address racism and hate crimes
- The alleged attack has sparked concerns about social cohesion and the safety of diverse cultural and religious communities
- The government has been criticized for not responding forcefully enough to the alleged attack
- There are calls for the implementation of the National Anti-Racism Framework to address the wider issue of racism towards First Nations peoples
Introduction to the Incident
The alleged attack on an Invasion Day rally in Perth has sparked widespread concern and outrage, with First Nations leaders welcoming the WA Police’s announcement that it is investigating the incident as a "potential terrorist attack". The attack, which occurred on Monday, involved a 31-year-old man throwing a homemade bomb into a crowd of approximately 2,500 people, resulting in several injuries. The man has been charged with intent to do harm and making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances. The Joint Counter Terror Team has confirmed that the event is being investigated as a "potential terrorist act", with WA Police describing it as a "potential mass casualty event".
Response from First Nations Leaders
First Nations leaders have expressed relief that the police are taking the incident seriously, with Noongar woman Hannah McGlade stating that it appears police have "heard our concerns" and are working with the Australian Federal Police to investigate the incident more fully. Dr. McGlade, an associate professor of law at Curtin University, said that First Nations people feel "absolute horror that so many people could have been injured and killed" at the peaceful gathering. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss has called the police announcement "a positive development" but wished it had come sooner, urging the government to implement the Australian Human Right Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework to address the wider issue of racism towards First Nations peoples.
Government Response
The federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, has defended the government’s response to the alleged attack, stating that the government did not want to say anything that might jeopardize legal proceedings. Minister McCarthy, a Yanyuwa Garrwa woman, said she was "very pleased" that police were investigating the incident as a potential terrorist act and emphasized the importance of protests being able to occur in a peaceful manner. However, Independent senator Lidia Thorpe has criticized the Prime Minister’s response, stating that it has given First Nations communities "no comfort" and calling for the implementation of the National Anti-Racism Framework.
Social Cohesion and Community Concerns
The alleged attack has sparked concerns about social cohesion, with Minister for Multicultural Affairs and counter-terrorism expert Anne Aly stating that the country’s social cohesion is "fragile". Aly emphasized the importance of addressing all forms of hate and promoting social cohesion, while federal deputy opposition leader Ted O’Brien expressed concern that the social compact is "fraying" and called for strong leadership to unite the nation. Human rights lawyer Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts has called for Australians to show solidarity with First Nations people, emphasizing that "our children matter, our elders matter, our lives matter".
Investigation and Next Steps
The investigation into the alleged attack is ongoing, with WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch meeting with Noongar Elders and leaders to discuss the incident. The government has been criticized for not responding forcefully enough to the alleged attack, with calls for stronger action to address racism and hate crimes. The implementation of the National Anti-Racism Framework is seen as a key step in addressing the wider issue of racism towards First Nations peoples, with Commissioner Katie Kiss emphasizing that "the tools are already there" and that the government needs to put focus into addressing and responding to the recommendations. As the investigation continues, it is clear that the alleged attack has sparked a wider conversation about social cohesion, racism, and the safety of diverse cultural and religious communities.
