Security boost ordered after WA Parliament named as alleged Bindoon terrorist Jayson Joseph Michaels’ target

Police armed with semi-automatic rifles were guarding State Parliament on Tuesday, as security was ramped up in the wake of the recent Bindoon arrest over an alleged terrorist plot. Parliament House was one of the targets allegedly listed in a notebook seized from a property in Bindoon in February when Jayson Joseph Michaels, 20, was arrested and charged with preparing a terrorist attack. Police Headquarters in East Perth and undisclosed Muslim places of worship were also allegedly identified as potential targets. Police Minister Reece Whitby said the alleged plot wasn’t the only cause for concern. “Even before the Bindoon arrest, there was increased security across Perth,” Mr Whitby said. “You will see today here at Parliament regional operations group, who are the officers who are trained to carry what are known as long arms, so the AR 15 semi automatic firearms. “They’re here in response to the general safety and security view at the moment, certainly the arrest of the Bindoon individual and the alleged intent to attack Parliament comes into those considerations.” But Mr Whitby vowed protesters would still have access to Parliament and MPs. “This is a show of increased security for deterrence value,” he said. “It’s a delicate balance, because we want Parliament to be the people’s parliament.” The side entrance used by most MPs was also roped off on Tuesday, for the first time in years, and climate activists were kept a few metres back from the doorway. “This will be a place of people. This will be a place of protest,” Mr Whitby said. “People have every right to come here, to wave a placard, to make a point that will continue. But we need to be mindful of the security of everyone.” Parliament’s budget for security services was $1.1 million for 2024-25. The Parliamentary Services annual report noted a $265,000 increase in the bill for contracted security costs and flagged plans to upgrade infrastructure. Speaker Stephen Price wouldn’t say whether MPs have raised concerns about their personal safety. “Security is just something that’s ongoing and reviewed all the time, we don’t talk about it,” he said.