Friday 6^th February 2026

Many First Nations peoples now feel unsafe in the wake of attempted bombing

On January the 26^th, an unnamed man (whose identity has been legally suppressed) threw a bomb containing nails, ball bearings and chemicals, into a crowd of around 2,500 people at an Invasion Day rally in Boorloo. While the bomb didn’t detonate, it was designed to explode on impact. This was a targeted and racist attack designed to create fear and cause harm, including death, amongst Australia’s First Nations peoples and their allies.

The 26^th of January has been celebrated as a public holiday in recent decades (‘Australia Day’). Nominally, it marks the day Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack flag at Warrane (Sydney Cove) in 1788, claiming the land as a British Colony – establishing ‘New South Wales’. In reality, it marks the beginning of the violent invasion and colonisation of over 250 individual Indigenous nations and, as such, is a day of mourning and truth-telling for many people around Australia. It is Survival Day or Invasion Day, not ‘Australia Day’.

While the 26^th of January has a long history as a focus point for colonial oppression, it also has a long history of resistance and the celebration of resilience. For as long as the day has been celebrated, it has been protested.

We welcome the news the incident has been charged as a terrorist attack. However, the fact remains, many First Nations people now feel unsafe.

Professor Pat Dudgeon, Director of the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) at the University of Western Australia (UWA): “We don’t yet fully understand the future psychological consequences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of being physically threatened in this way, following after the devastating rejection of the referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament and on top of the systemic racism we already experience. Programs like the Warriorship in the Face of Racism project, undertaken by the ARC Centre of Excellence Indigenous Futures Centre, University of Queensland, and the University of Western Australia, can help Indigenous people and communities to build their resilience and support their social and emotional wellbeing.”

Tegan Schefe, Consultant at CBPATSISP at UWA: “Attending Invasion Day rallies already requires emotional and cultural strength — there is an underlying awareness shaped by generations of racism. Being visibly Aboriginal, standing in truth-telling spaces, often comes with fear for personal safety. I did not attend any events on January 26 because of the idea that an attempted attack of some kind might occur. With already having anxious feelings about being in public spaces since the referendum, I chose to stay home and not put myself in any harm both physically and mentally.”

A Senate motion condemning the attack and acknowledging the harm it caused to the First Nations community was passed on Tuesday the 3rd of February. On Thursday the 5^th of February, WA Premier Roger Cook announced the WA joint counterterrorism team determined the incident should be charged as a terrorist act.

However, this is not enough; the response from media and politicians in the days following the attempted bombing was slow and mild. It is hard to not see this as a symptom of the racism against First Nations peoples which has increased and flourished in some parts of Australia in recent years. The response from governments, the media, and wider Australia should have been immediate and expressed in the strongest possible terms.

We call on all Australians to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and ask that a full investigation be conducted and firm action taken to address threats of violences against Indigenous peoples and communities.

This is a really heavy time and it’s important to try and look after yourself. You can do this by staying connected; reach out and talk about how you’re feeling with family, friends, community, or helplines (see list below). You could visit Country, engage in cultural practices or speak with Elders and community leaders. We’ve listed below resources which could be helpful.

Resources for wellbeing and mental health for First Nations Peoples

Help lines

• 13YARN: 13 92 76
• Lifeline Australia: Phone 13 11 14 or crisis support chat
• Suicide Call Back Service: Phone 1300 659 467 or online counselling
• Kids Helpline: Phone 1800 551 800 or WebChat counselling
• MensLine Australia: Phone 1300 789 978 or online counselling
• Open Arms Veterans & Families Counselling: Phone 1800 011 046 or visit their website
• Qlife – LGBTI peer support and referral: Phone 1800 184 527 or webchat 3pm to midnight daily
• The National Indigenous Critical Response Service: Phone 1800 805 801

Web help

• Headspace – Yarn Safe
• Black Dog Institute – a weekly mental health check-in

Ways to be an ally to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

1. Stand in solidarity
   • Always support First Nations’ voices
   • Be there in good times and in bad times
2. Stay knowledgeable
   • Know the history and context. Learn about the history of colonisation of Australia; find out more about Welcome to Country ceremonies
3. Attend Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events throughout the year
   • National Close the Gap Day
   • Sorry Day
   • National Reconciliation Week
   • Mabo Day
   • NAIDOC Week
   • Invasion Day protests
4. Learn about the Country and the First Nations peoples in your local area, using resources such as:
   • Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) map of Indigenous Australia
   • Common Ground Sharing First Nations cultures, histories and lived experiences
   • Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice
5. Educate yourself about systemic racism, Aboriginal disadvantage and white privilege
   • The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP)
   • National Indigenous Television
   • National Indigenous Times
   • Koori Mail
   • Intergenerational Trauma (YouTube video by The Healing Foundation)
6. Encourage your workplace, university or school to undertake Indigenous-led cultural competency or Indigenous cultural awareness training, and support their reconciliation journey
   • Reconciliation Australia
7. Support peak bodies and organisations which fight for the rights of First Nations peoples
   • Coalition of Peaks
   • National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
   • Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia
   • Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service (KAMS)
   • The Healing Foundation
   • Lowitja Institute
   • The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC)
   • Thirrili
8. Support Indigenous-led local community groups, art galleries, and theatre companies. Below are just a few, find others in your area.
   • Langford Aboriginal Association
   • Bangarra Dance Theatre
   • Binmaga Yamaji Dancers
   • Aboriginal Art Centre Hub Western Australia
   • Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company
   • Boomali Artists Cooperative NSW
9. Buy from Indigenous suppliers and businesses. Below are just a few, find others in your area.
   • Clothing the Gaps
   • Yaye Products
   • Welcome to Country – online retailer
   • Supply Nation – a large database of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
10. Teach those around you as you learn
    • Speak out if you hear someone say inappropriate things about First Nations peoples.
    • Talk to your children about Australia’s proud First Nations history