West Australian man charged with preparing for terror act

Authorities in Western Australia (WA) have charged a 20-year-old man over alleged plans for a terrorist act targeting parliament, police headquarters and religious buildings.



Police Commissioner Col Blanch said at a press conference on Friday that the man from the state's southwest was arrested following an investigation into his online activities by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team.



Blanch said that the investigation led officers to conduct a search warrant at a property in the town of Bindoon, 65 km north of Perth, where they allegedly located and seized firearms as well as a ballistic vest, gas mask and lock-picking tools.



The man, who has been identified as 20-year-old Jayson Joseph Michaels, was arrested and charged with five offenses, including preparing to commit a terrorist act, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing unlicensed ammunition.