Minister for Indigenous Australians
ROS CHILDS, host: Authorities have confirmed that they're investigating the alleged throwing of a bomb into an Invasion Day rally crowd in Perth as a potential terrorist act. WA Police allege a 31-year-old man threw a device containing screws and ball bearings surrounded by an explosive liquid into the crowd of about two and a half thousand in the heart of Perth's CBD. Earlier I spoke to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Well, it's an act of real fear, really, for all of those families who were there at the Invasion Day rally. We expect across the country that as a democracy, protests are able to occur in a peaceful manner. And there is no reason why a group of people in Perth, First Nations people, cannot protest without feeling that their lives are in danger. This was a really serious incident, and we're treating it as such.
ROS CHILDS: What's been the impact of the incident on First Nations communities?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: I have certainly received many calls, many messages, largely angry, largely concerned about what could have happened. So, of course we have to certainly see that the WA Police, AFP and ASIO are treating this as they should, rightly so, in investigating it. And I'm pleased to see that the WA Police have put out a press release that this is being investigated as a potential terrorist act.
ROS CHILDS: But there are questions about why the alleged incident hasn't been declared as a terrorism incident. WA Police say they are investigating, together with the AFP and ASIO, but does not declaring it a terrorism incident now ignore the fears of the community?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: There is a legal process underway and it is important that that legal process does take place. And as I said to you, I am very pleased that the WA Police, the AFP and ASIO have now included that they are looking at this as a potential terrorist act.
ROS CHILDS: Let's look at the government's response then. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss has questioned why the government hasn't used stronger language to condemn the attack. Anthony Albanese has described it as quite shocking. The Commissioner says this sends a message that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people don't matter. What's your response to that?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: The Prime Minister, when he heard immediately at a press conference on Tuesday that charges had been laid, his first words were that the charges were serious and that the book should be thrown at this in terms of making sure the safety of families in WA is very much at the forefront. There is a legal process underway and I want to see it carried through with the utmost integrity. And as I said, I am very pleased to see that the police, ASIO and the AFP are looking at this and investigating it with being a potential terrorist act.
ROS CHILDS: Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe wants a comprehensive inquiry into any possible policing and intelligence failures, as she describes them, and into the alleged perpetrator's motivation. Do you support that call?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: We certainly have to see what the outcome of this investigation is. I will say this, though, Ros. I have heard from Elders who met with the West Australian Police Commissioner. They have been briefed on what took place on the day at the rally. They were certainly very pleased to be a part of that briefing. The WA Police are working closely with them to keep them informed. There are a lot of facts in this situation that perhaps can't be revealed at this point in time but I will certainly be pursuing it in Parliament next week.
ROS CHILDS: Why can't those facts be revealed right now?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Well, there's an investigation underway and we don't want to jeopardise that.
ROS CHILDS: Lidia Thorpe has also called for the Royal Commission to be expanded to examine all forms of hate. What's your response to that call?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Well, we've seen with the recent recall of the Parliament, that is exactly what our government has done in terms of the hate legislation laws. Unfortunately, we weren't supported in a bipartisan way. We know that we have to work very seriously in this country to keep social cohesion and it doesn't help when people go online, when people say things or do things that really impact that. But as a government, we will continue to keep working with all parties to be able to ensure the safety of all Australians.
ROS CHILDS: Minister, what action have you taken in response to the alleged attack?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: I've certainly spoken with the WA Government, in particular the WA Indigenous Affairs Minister. I've spoken with family members who were at the rally and who've been able to talk to me about the briefings they've received. I'm also hoping to meet with the WA Police Commissioner or at least have a conversation with him today, if that's possible. But I certainly want to see a full and thorough briefing as we come to Parliament next week.
ROS CHILDS: Malarndirri McCarthy, thank you so much.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Thank you.
