Reconciliation WA first and foremost honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and communities who have carried the weight of this incident and the distress, fear, and anger that have been felt. We also acknowledge the many Australians from all backgrounds who were present at the rally and who have been impacted by this act of violence. We recognise the community members, advocates, and allies who refused to stay silent, whose voices helped ensure this terrorist attack was taken seriously, scrutinised properly, and understood for what it was: racially targeted violence directed at an Aboriginal led gathering.
Today’s confirmation that the alleged offender has been charged with engaging in a terrorist act, for the first time in Western Australia, reflects the severity and ideological nature of the attack.
As we stated in our initial response, this incident must be understood within a wider and deeply concerning national pattern of hate motivated and racially targeted violence.
There is no place in Australia for terrorism or extremist violence of any kind. Whether in Sydney or here in Western Australia, acts of terror are never acceptable. All Australians have the right to exercise their citizenship safely, to gather peacefully, and to have their rights protected under the law. Any attack, regardless of where it happens or who it targets, threatens the safety, unity, and cohesion of our whole community.
This is not a new thing. We have seen it time and time again. Only a few months ago, around 40 neo Nazi men stormed Camp Sovereignty in Melbourne, violently attacking a First Nations sacred site and assaulting men and women gathered there. This was another stark reminder that Aboriginal people continue to face coordinated, hate driven violence across the country.
We are confident that there is a majority of good Australians in this country who want to see their neighbours treated with dignity and respect. Yet time and again, events occur where we, as Australians, are forced to weather terrible acts done to us as a people, acts that stretch back generations and continue to this day. So we must ask: Where is the outrage? Where is the collective refusal to accept this as our “normal”?
Reconciliation WA reiterates that First Nations voices must always come first in responding to incidents like this. Their safety, rights and leadership must guide the path forward. We remain unwavering in our belief that all Australians deserve the right to come together, gather, speak, and stand without fear of racist violence or extremist harm.
While today’s terrorism charge is a crucial step toward accountability, real safety requires long term systemic action across government, law enforcement, and community. This includes confronting racism, preventing extremist mobilisation, and upholding the rights and dignity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Premier Roger Cook stated today that the State Government will “do everything we can” to prevent further attacks and keep Western Australia safe and peaceful. Reconciliation WA welcomes this commitment and will continue to partner with the State Government to ensure we move forward together through clear, sustained, community informed action. A fundamental part of this work is strengthening reconciliation across the state through deep investment in anti racism education, truth telling, and community healing.
Reconciliation WA stands in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families, Elders, and communities leading the movement for truth, justice, and lasting change. We remain committed to ensuring that acts of racist violence are recognised, confronted, and never minimised.
We are committed to advocating for respectful relationships and unity.