West Australian Man Charged with Terror Plot

0:00You're listening to Adelaide News today, powered by the Daily News now. A 20-year-old man from Western Australia has become the first person charged there with preparing a terrorist attack. Jason Joseph Michaels allegedly plotted a mass casualty event targeting the state police headquarters in East Perth, Parliament House, and several. Muslim places of worship. Police say he was motivated by white supremacist ideology after being radicalized online. After this week, authorities raided his family's home in Bindoon, a quiet wheat belt town about 65 kilometers northeast of Perth. Michaels had attended St. Stephen's school in Perth's Caramar suburb until year 10, then switched to TAFE for information technology studies. His family moved there from tapping late last year, and he worked briefly as a laborer at a local gravel supply business. Locals and those who knew him were stunned by the news. His former boss described him as quiet and introverted, with no hint of radical views. Neighbors called him unassuming and odd looking, and many in the growing tree chains community

1:04express shock that such plans came from their area. The school condemned hate speech and praised federal police efforts. During the raid, officers seized seven firearms, imitation guns, a ballistic vest, gas masks, face shields, lock picking tools, and a large knife. Most alarmingly, they found a notebook detailing his attack preparations right there in the family home. WA Premier Roger Cook and police commissioner Cole Blanche confirmed the monitoring had been underway since January. Official stress the plot was foiled early, with no immediate threat to the public, and the investigation continues. Quick thanks to today's sponsor. See the description for more. Your bedtime ritual just got better.