Listen to Australian and world news and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
- Perth man charged with a terrorism offence
- Police have a suspect in the case of missing four-year-old Gus Lamont
- Australia's Elvis Smylie one shot off the lead at the LIV Golf tournament in Saudi Arabia
A man who allegedly threw a bomb into an Invasion Day protest in Perth has been charged with engaging in a terrorism act, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
An explosive device, which did not detonate, was allegedly thrown by the 31-year-old man at the 2,500-strong crowd of Indigenous people, families and supporters on January 26.
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook announced the man had been charged with committing a terrorist act, the first time the charge has been laid in the state.
He says any attack on the state's First Nations people should be considered an attack on all residents.
"I know there is anxiety across the community, especially amongst Aboriginal Western Australians. I know this event has impacted people Australia wide, and it is deeply felt by our indigenous communities. I know that there is anger. We have every right to be angry. Any attack on our First Nations people is an attack on all of us."
The man had been previously charged with making or possessing an explosive, and committing an act with intent to cause harm.
---
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the terrorism charge is a troubling development- and it's unacceptable that First Nations Australians were targeted in Perth.
Speaking during Question Time, Mr Albanese says he has spoken with members of the community over the last 24 hours.
"As a government, as a parliament and as a nation, we see you, we stand with you. We will do everything required to keep you and your loved ones safe. There is no place for racism, for hatred in our nation. It is an offence against our Australian values. And it is an offence in Australian law. Importantly, the Joint Counter Terrorism Team doesn't believe there is any residual risk from the alleged perpetrator."
---
South Australian police say they have a suspect in the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont from a remote sheep station last year.
The child was reported missing last year in September at his family home, the Oak Park Station homestead.
Detective superintendent Darren Fielke says the search for Gus is now a major crime - and police do not believe the boy is still alive.
He says the suspect is someone who lived at the homestead, but it is not one of Gus’ parents.
"The person who has withdrawn their cooperation is now considered a suspect in the disappearance of Gus. I do want to stress however that Gus's parents are not suspects in his disappearance. We are all focused and determined to locate Gus and return him to his parents. Nothing is off the table as we work towards that outcome."
---
Muslim Australians are on high alert after a mosque received another letter threatening violence - the second in just 10 days.
The letter included derogatory language and depicted a hand-made drawing of a mosque on fire with people inside.
It was sent to Lakemba Mosque in western Sydney on Wednesday evening.
Police are investigating the threat; and the letter has been taken by detectives for a forensic examination.
Gamel Kheir, secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, has told SBS Arabic, their community has been made to feel like second-class citizens.
"This is the second one we've got. Several mosques have already been targeted. We had pig heads thrown at our cemetery. So it's not isolated and, more concerning for us, is the fact that there's a rising number of community members contacting us saying that they don't feel safe sending their kids alone to school anymore. They don't feel safe walking to the shopping centres or going shopping on their own. That's alarming because this is not the usual Australia that we love, where we're tolerant and accepting of others."
The second anonymous letter comes after a 70-year-old man was charged in late January over threatening letters sent to the same mosque.
He faces three charges of sending documents threatening death or grievous bodily harm.
---
Data released today by Dementia Australia has revealed almost half a million Australians are living with dementia - a number likely to double by 2065.
Dementia Australia is calling for essential investment from the federal government in implementing the 2024 National Dementia Action Plan.
The Bureau of Statistics believes the increase is likely due to people living longer, however the data reveals the amount of people living with early onset dementia is set to rise by 40 per cent over the next three decades.
Dementia is Australia's leading cause of death, accounting for 9.4 per cent of all deaths in 2024.
---
In golf, Australia's Elvis Smylie is just one shot off the lead, after the opening round of the LIV Golf tournament in Saudi Arabia.
The 2024 Australian PGA champion scored a six-under-par 66 at the first LIV Golf event of the season.
Smylie says his debut for LIV golf has been enjoyable, despite some nerves.
"I felt like I did a really good job with my proximity - especially with my iron play and then it led into my wedges. I felt like I was always giving myself putts inside 15 feet for birdie. And my putter was able to co-operate nicely and I was able to hold some really nice putts. I think there was a little of a nerves and excitement. I think I showed what I am capable of."
