Jayson Joseph Michaels, 20, faces terror charges over alleged plan to target govt buildings, Muslim places of worship: police

A 20-year-old man has been charged with preparing to commit a terrorist act after ASIO and police allegedly found a written a manifesto outlining plans for an ideologically motivated attack of violent extremism involving mass casualties.

The Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team raided the Bindoon home of Jayson Joseph Michaels, 20, where he lived with his parents following an investigation by police and ASIO.

Australian Federal Police Superintendent Peter Hatch said police will allege in court Mr Michaels was motivated by online hate sites.

“It’s further alleged, the man detailed intentions to attack Muslim faith places of worship in WA, as well as WA Police Headquarters and Parliament House in WA,” he said.

Police allege Mr Michaels was motivated by “white supremacy ideology”.

Mr Michaels faces a string of charges including using a carriage service to menace or harass, using a prohibited weapon, and firearm offences.

He appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday and was remanded in custody.

He is due to appear again on March 23 for a bail application hearing.It comes about one month after Liam Alexander Hall, 32, was the first person in Western Australia to be charged with a terrorism offence, after he allegedly attempted bombing at an Invasion Day rally on January 26.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Premier Roger Cook said: “I want to sincerely thank the WA Police officers who have executed a search warrant and made the arrest as a result of the intelligence received,” he said.

“Their actions have prevented an alleged act of terror in our city to attack the heart of our democracy.

“To attack those who keep us safe.

“Whatever our differences, we all have the right to go about our lives free from the fear of violence.”

Police Commissioner Col Blanch said they received intelligence about communication on an encrypted platform in January.

He said the intelligence indicated there was white supremacy ideology, anti-Muslim ideology, anti-Semitism and abhorrent conversations about minorities and other races.

Police raided the man’s home and seized firearms, imitation firearms, a ballistic vest, gas mask, not picking equipment.

“But most concerningly, there was a note,” Mr Blanch said.

“There was a notebook that outlined preparations for a terrorist attack at significant locations, including the WA Police Headquarters building, Parliament House and places of Muslim faith in WA.

“I still maintain that Western Australia is a very safe place, but this just shows how vigilant we must all be about people who are acting alone, and in this case, we will allege he was acting alone to prepare for an extremely serious terrorist attack that would create a mass casualty event.”

Mr Blanch said police and other agencies held no intelligence about Mr Michaels and they believe he became radicalised online.

Authorities don’t believe there was an organised group behind the alleged plot, but there was a group of people online sharing ideas about white supremacy on an encrypted platform.

“The fact that someone can be online and be radicalised so easily and have no record, or history, or indication from anyone that we’re aware of, that can start going down this rabbit hole of racism and white supremacy, that’s what should concern us,” Mr Blanch said.

“I just know there are others communicating with similar ideologies.”

Mr Blanch warned parents, friends, colleagues or service providers to get help for young people who were potentially isolated from others before they head down a path of radicalisation.

“There’s a 20-year-old man who has extreme violent thoughts about hurting others,” he alleged.

“We don’t want to get to where we are. 

“I think it pains every police officer that we have to arrest these people in the community because they have radicalised online. 

“I would much rather they got help years ago, if that’s when it started.”