Inquiry Highlights Community Concerns Following Invasion Day Rally Incident in Perth
In a recent federal inquiry into racism and hate targeting First Nations people, Indigenous community members have expressed feeling marginalized and overlooked by authorities in the aftermath of a terror-related incident during the Invasion Day rally in Perth. On January 26, a homemade explosive device, filled with ball bearings and screws, was thrown into a crowd of approximately 2,000 attendees at Forrest Place, an event designed to reflect on Australia’s colonial history.
The Western Australia police initially labeled the incident as a potential terror attack, announcing the investigation nine days later. Liam Alexander Hall, a 35-year-old Perth resident, has been charged with terrorism offenses and is currently in custody, having indicated plans to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.
During a testimony at the inquiry, Renae Isaacs-Guthridge, an academic from Curtin University and a member of the Noongar-Yamatji community, recounted the harrowing experience of witnessing the device land close to her and her family. “I shouldn’t be sitting here and talking to you today. I, along with my daughters, mother, and sister, should be dead because it landed right in front of us,” Isaacs-Guthridge remarked.
The academic highlighted a consistent feeling of being dismissed by authorities in the weeks following the incident. “I believe that because we were an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crowd, there is an underlying hate against us, and so we’re not taken as seriously,” she asserted.
Isaacs-Guthridge also drew parallels between her experiences and the more urgent and empathetic response surrounding the Bondi massacre the previous month, which resulted in 15 fatalities and numerous injuries. She stated, “There needs to be consistency in the way terrorist acts are treated. I did not see that consistency applied here.”
The inquiry revealed gaps in communication and support for the affected community. Community organizers, including Fabian Yarran, expressed that they had received warnings about potential threats from far-right groups, such as the Nazi party, planning to disrupt the rally. However, despite informing police and state officials of the risks, there was little preparation or direct engagement from law enforcement prior to the event.
The rally site was evacuated after a woman in the crowd handed the suspicious device to the police. Yarran cited a lack of communication from authorities during the chaotic moments, saying, “The police didn’t tell us about the actual bomb. They didn’t communicate; it was very frightening, very terrifying.”
Former Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt, who also provided testimony, highlighted the broader implications of these incidents. He pointed out that the defeat of the referendum on a constitutional voice for Indigenous Australians in 2023—a campaign contested by some within his own party—has resulted in increased normalization of racism and hate speech. “It opened the doors to trolls and racists to legitimize their comments on social media and in actions,” Wyatt explained.
As a Yamatji man and the first Indigenous person elected to a lower house federal seat, Wyatt expressed hopes that the inquiry would lead to actionable recommendations and adequate funding to combat racism. “If there are funds allocated for a royal commission into antisemitism, I would like to see equivalent support for Indigenous initiatives,” he emphasized.
The inquiry continues to unfold, aiming to address systemic issues surrounding racism and to foster a more inclusive response to acts of hate against Indigenous communities in Australia. Community leaders and advocates remain hopeful for substantial change that prioritizes safety, acknowledgment, and respect for First Nations people across the nation.
