Subjects: Perth terrorism charge, social cohesion

NADIA MITSOPOULOS, HOST: Well, the Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians flew to Perth for yesterday’s media conference, where that terror attack was declared, and I had a quick chat to her early this morning. 

MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Good morning, Nadia and good morning to your listeners. 

Subjects: Perth terrorism charge, Daly River flooding.

JAMES GLENDAY, HOST: Let's bring you some more reaction to those terrorism charges in Western Australia, which is all to do with the failed bomb attack. A short time ago, I spoke with the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy.

Subjects: Perth terrorism charge

SALLY SARA, HOST: The attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally in Perth last week has been declared a terrorist act. The West Australian Premier Roger Cook says a 31 year old man accused of throwing the homemade bomb has now been charged with engaging in a terrorist act.

This charge, which has been laid by the joint task force, alleges the attack on Aboriginal people and other peaceful protesters was motivated by hateful, racist ideology.

Subjects:  Perth terrorism charge.

MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: I acknowledge the Noongar people and this beautiful country that we've come to, and we hope to continue to be on in a very safe way. I'd like to thank the Premier for your announcement this morning, but also the Commissioners and the work that you're doing in terms of keeping Australians safe, in particular First Nations people. 

Subjects: Perth Terrorism charge.

JEFF MICHAEL, HOST: The attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally crowd in Perth was a terrorist act, authorities have declared. On the day, police were quick to arrest a 31-year-old man and he is awaiting a court date. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch says to meet the conditions of a terror charge, police will allege the man accessed pro-white material online. And joining us now is Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy. Welcome to Perth.

The Western Australian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) has charged a 31-year-old man with one count of engaging in a terrorist act.

It’s alleged the man threw a home-made improvised explosive device at a rally in Perth on 26 January 2026.

Within 40 minutes, the WA JCTT was engaged, which includes the Western Australian Police Force, Australian Federal Police, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

This meant the right people, with the right experience, were engaged from the very start of the investigation.

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its promise to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people with the introduction of legislation that establishes a dedicated, independent national advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, backed by $33.5 million in new funding.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Australian Government has improved women’s representation on Australian Government boards. 

The newly released Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards Annual Report 2024–25 tracks the Government’s performance against four key targets.

Progress has been made in all four areas which has improved women’s representation on boards across the public sector.

I rise to condemn the sickening attack on an Invasion Day rally in Perth last week.

On the 26th of January, First Nations families and non-Indigenous supporters gathered at Forrest Place.

In peaceful protest, exercising their democratic right to make their voices heard.

First Nations people leading 2,500 Australians of all walks of life.

Waving the Aboriginal flag – a national flag – and holding banners about serious issues facing First Nations Australians:

Homelessness. Incarceration. Health outcomes.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Patrick Gorman, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister. Well, we have got sitting of Parliament, a regular sitting week, the first normal sitting week for 2026. A chance for myself, Alice Jordan-Baird, the Member for Gorton, and the whole Labor team, to get on with delivering the agenda which we took to the people last year.