Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese fought back tears while speaking about an alleged failed attempted terrorist attack by a conservative teenager.
Mr Albanese was overcome with emotion and became teary-eyed on Friday as he alleged accused terrorist Jordan Patten, 19, made threats against his own family in a manifesto distributed online.
Patten was charged with other acts done in preparation for, or planning, for a terrorist act on Thursday after travelling to the office of Labor MP Tim Crakanthorp in Newcastle, New South Wales, allegedly armed with a knife.
Police allege Patten authored a 205-page manifesto where he expressed “intentions to kill” Labor politicians.
“That documentation that was made is very concerning, including threats not just to Labor MPs, but to others, to my family,” Mr Albanese alleged at a press conference.
“It’s another reason why families should be off-limits from the media.
“It’s something that is of concern, a very direct threat. I applaud the security agencies and police for their swift action that they undertook.”
In the manifesto Patten allegedly claimed to be right-wing, but not a nationalist or White nationalist. He allegedly said he was not a member of any groups of political movements, but liked the conservative Liberal Party.
Patten, from Raymond Terrace, appeared by audio visual link in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday morning where bail was refused. He will appear in court again in August, and faces life in jail if convicted.
He was arrested at 1.35pm after allegedly travelling to Mr Crakanthorp’s office in tactical gear armed with knives.
The court heard Patten was accused of going to the MP’s office “with intent to kill him due to his position as a member of parliament [and] in preparation of planning a terror attack”, ABC News reported.
He allegedly livestreamed himself entering Mr Cakanthorp’s office before leaving again and walking to the Newcastle Museum. Police allege he then left the museum and ended the stream before being arrested by officers with Tasers nearby.
Police facts alleged the manifesto also contained “extreme hatred” for the Labor Party, and Patten allegedly wrote long passages about the Iraq War, the Solomon Islands, war crimes, paedophilia, gender ideology, and on left and right wing politics.
Referring to the police facts, acting magistrate Anthony Spence told the court there were “strong overtones” of mental health issues.
Mr Crakanthorp said in a statement after Patten’s court appearance: “Thank you to everyone who has reached out at this troubling time.
“My staff and I are all safe and unharmed.
“I thank NSW Police for their prompt and effective response. I also want to thank the Newcastle Museum staff for their bravery and exceptional management of the situation.”
Patten’s arrest comes just days after far-left terrorists firebombed a Jewish MP’s office in Melbourne and sprayed the windows with extremist slogans.
