A Bindoon man has faced Perth Magistrates Court today (27 February, 2026) charged by the Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team with act in preparation for or planning a terrorist act.
The man, 20, was arrested after the WA Police Force's State Security Investigation Group executed a search warrant at a Bindoon home yesterday (26 February, 2026) as part of an investigation into alleged antisemitic, Islamophobic and racially-motivated online hate speech.
During the search, investigators seized documentation for analysis and assessment by the WA JCTT - comprising the WA Police Force, AFP and ASIO.
It is alleged the man had written a manifesto-style document outlining plans for a nationalist and racist ideologically-motivated act of violent extremism involving mass casualties.
It is further alleged the man detailed intentions to attack mosques in WA, as well as WA Police Headquarters and WA Parliament House.
The man was charged by the WA JCTT with:
- Act in preparation for or planning a terrorist act, contrary to section 101.6 of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
- Using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, contrary to section 474.17 of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment.
- Carry or possess prohibited weapon, contrary to section 6(1)(b) of the Weapons Act (WA), which carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment.
- Fail to store a firearm or related thing in compliant storage, contrary to section 306(1) of the Firearms Act (WA), which carries a maximum penalty of a $5000 fine.
- Possess or acquire ammunition without authorisation, contrary to section 241 of the Firearms Act (WA), which carries a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment.
Police also located and seized a butterfly knife, ammunition for a firearm to which he was not licenced, and more than 1000 rounds of ammunition which had not been stored securely.
The man has been formally refused bail at court and is next due to appear at Perth Magistrates Court on 23 March, 2026.
Under the Commonwealth Criminal Code, the following must be met for engaging in an act of preparation or planning for a terrorist act.
- The person does any act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act, even if a terrorist act does not occur; or
- The person's act is not done in preparation for, or planning, a specific terrorist act; or
- The person's act is done in preparation for, or planning, more than one terrorist act.
Investigations by the WA JCTT into this matter are ongoing.
