Shattering moment Anthony Albanese fights back tears as he makes a worrying admission
Anthony Albanese fought back tears as he spoke about a teenage terror suspect’s manifesto, which reportedly contained threats against the prime minister’s family.
Yesterday, Jordan Patten, 19, was arrested and charged with a terrorism offense after going to an MP’s office while allegedly armed with knives and tactical gear.
The arrest follows a manifesto published online showing he had planned a series of attacks, which may have been inspired by the Christchurch mass shooting.
On Friday morning, Mr Albanese spoke out about the arrest.
“There is no place for extremism in Australia. The documentation that has been produced is very concerning, including threats not just to Labor MPs but to others, to my family,” he said, fighting back tears.
“That’s another reason why families… frankly, should be off-limits to the media, which is a concern, a very immediate threat. I congratulate the security services and the police for the swift action they have taken.”
Patten was at Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp’s office at around 12.30pm on Wednesday before authorities received a welfare report into his behaviour.
The police went to the office and found the weapon.
Investigators confirmed that the 19-year-old distributed a 200-page manifesto to a number of media outlets and public figures.
A seven-minute video filmed before the incident showed Patten wearing a ballistic vest, face mask, gloves and a helmet with a GoPro camera in a public bathroom.
Anthony Albanese (pictured) fought back tears as he spoke out about a teenage terror suspect’s manifesto that reportedly contained threats against his family
Footage later shows the teenager armed with knives and tactical gear before allegedly walking into the NSW state MP’s office and then back out onto the street.
Mr Crakanthorp, who did not say whether he was in the office at the time of the incident, said no one was injured.
“I understand that the individual walked in and out of my office briefly, and left before contacting my staff,” he said.
“I have spoken to the police and they are in control of the situation and have assured me that no one was injured.”
Patten faced Newcastle Local Court on Thursday after being refused bail, accused of committing an act in preparation for or planning a terrorist attack.
The case will return to the same court on August 21.
Patten’s online activities revealed that the teenager had previously indicated he wanted to carry out terrorist attacks in Newcastle and Sydney, inspired by Christchurch shooter Brenton Tarrant, according to anti-fascist research group White Rose Society.
“The miracle of yesterday is that he did not dare and that no one was injured,” the group said in a statement on Thursday.
A manifesto published online revealed the teenager had a range of extremist views.
There was no ongoing threat to the public and a joint counter-terrorism team (TCT) continued to investigate the incident, police said.
It came on the same day that Prime Minister Chris Minns joined Mr Crakanthorp in Newcastle for media events including the inspection of a soon-to-open walking and cycling trail.
They were accompanied by Counter-Terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley.
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