A 20-year-old man in Western Australia has been charged with preparing for a terrorist act.
The WA Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) said on Friday the man was charged after an investigation into his online activities, and a search warrant being carried out at a home in the state's Wheatbelt region.
WA Premier Roger Cook said the man had been charged with preparing for a terrorist attack — the first time someone in WA has been charged with the offence — along with firearms and other state-based offences.
Cook told reporters that police allege the man was planning a "mass casualty event" on several public buildings in Perth, including WA Police headquarters, WA Parliament House and Muslim places of worship.
He added that it will be alleged the man was motivated by a "white supremacist ideology". Cook said he had been advised that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
WA Police commissioner Col Blanch, who appeared alongside Cook and Australian Federal Police (AFP) superintendent Peter Hatcch at a press conference, said the man had appeared in court and had his bail refused.
Blanch said earlier this year, authorities received intelligence about communications on an encrypted platform that indicated white supremacist, anti-Muslim and antisemitic discussions.
Blanch said it took some time to identify the people having the conversations because of the encrypted nature of the platforms.
He said the team had identified the 20-year-old man on Thursday, and a search warrant was executed in which firearms, imitation firearms, a ballistic vest, gas masks, lock-picking equipment and a notebook that "outlined preparations for a terrorist attack at significant locations".
Hatch added that it was alleged the man had written a "manifesto-style document outlining plans for an ideologically motivated attack of violent extremism involving mass casualties".
Blanch said police believe the man was acting alone.
The matter will continue to be investigated by the WA JCTT, which includes the WA Police Force, the AFP and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
Prime minister says allegations are 'deeply shocking'
In a statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the allegations of a racially motivated terrorist plot were "deeply shocking".
Albanese said in a statement on Friday night that he had been briefed on the case by AFP commissioner Krissy Barrett, and thanked WA Police for their swift action.
"Allegations the man was planning to target the Muslim community through attacks on mosques — as well as attacks on the WA police and parliament — are particularly distressing. He should face the full force of the law," the prime minister said.
"Australians, no matter who they are, have a right to safety. There is no place in our country for any kind of racially or religiously motivated prejudice or hate.
"As I've said many times we need to take the temperature down. Political leaders have a particular responsibility not to fan the flames of bigotry."
The man's arrest comes a month after a 31-year-old man was charged with one count of engaging in a terrorist attack, after he allegedly threw a homemade improvised explosive device at a rally held in support of First Nations people in Perth's CBD on 26 January.
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