A Perth magistrate has ordered the identity of a man accused of throwing a bomb at a First Nations gathering be revealed.
Liam Alexander Hall, 32, has been charged with several offenses related to the alleged Jan. 26 incident that occurred during an Invasion Day gathering.
Hall was charged with making or possessing an explosive device, and committing an act with intent to cause harm in the immediate aftermath of the event.
Following community outrage and a joint task force investigation, he also became the first person in the state’s history to be charged with terrorism-related crimes.
His identity was withheld after his first appearance in the Perth Magistrate’s Court last month amid fears for his safety.
However, Magistrate Lynette Dias argued that the continued suppression of Hall’s name would disrupt the administration of justice.
“The public interest will generally prevail over the negative personal consequences for litigants and those associated with them,” she said on Tuesday.
“The media generally must be able to report on any case that comes before the court in order to provide a fair and accurate report.”
Hall was scheduled to appear in court, but his case was adjourned until next month.
More than 2,000 people gathered in Boorloo Perth’s CBD on January 26 for the annual Invasion Day gathering.
Police allege Hall threw a small glass device, containing volatile liquids and shrapnel, into the middle of the crowd, where organizers said the elderly, children and those with mobility issues had gathered.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday morning of the attempted bombing that the idea of a racially motivated attack was “frightening.”
“The alleged perpetrator is believed to have thrown this device into a crowd,” he told the ABC.
“It would have injured and killed a lot of people if it had exploded.”
Mr Albanese noted increased calls to Indigenous helpline 13YARN, and flagged an increase in funding announced last week.
“We set up the system so that people could get mental health care.
“I encourage people to reach out.”
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