Emotional Prime Minister reveals alleged threat to family by terror plot accused

Samantha Lock
AAP
A teen accused of plotting terror allegedly threatened Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's family. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)
A teen accused of plotting terror allegedly threatened Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's family. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

An emotional Anthony Albanese has revealed that an accused teenage terrorist’s manifesto allegedly included direct threats on his family.

Fighting back tears while speaking to reporters, the prime minister called for the 19-year-old to face the full force of the law for his alleged failed terrorist attack at a NSW MP’s office.

Jordan Patten filmed himself arriving at Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp’s office armed with knives and tactical equipment on Wednesday.

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A series of posts online revealed he allegedly planned a series of attacks drawing on the Christchurch mass shooter as inspiration, as well as vowing to behead a Labor politician.

“That documentation ... is very concerning, including threats not just to Labor MPs, but to others, to my family,” Mr Albanese told reporters on Friday.

“It’s something that is of concern — a very direct threat.”

Investigators confirmed the 19-year-old recently circulated a 200-page manifesto riddled with extremist views to a number of media outlets and public figures.

A seven-minute video filmed by Patten showed the teenager preparing an outfit including a ballistics vest, face mask, gloves and a helmet fitted with a GoPro camera in a public bathroom.

The footage later shows the teen armed with knives and tactical equipment before he entered Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp’s office about 12.30pm on Wednesday and then walking out into the street again.

Mr Crakanthorp, who did not indicate if he was in the office at the time of the incident, said no one had been hurt.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said he would look into providing extra security for MPs if needed, but he noted it was not possible to protect against every possible threat.

“If we did need to make changes by talking to parliament or NSW Police, of course we will - but we’re not able to design a perfect system,” he said.

Part of an MP’s job required them to meet strangers, to get out into the community and to live as part of their community, Mr Minns said.

“It’s very difficult to protect an MP or a political leader or a local mayor, regardless of their political affiliation, because a big part of the job is meeting new constituents,” he said.

Patten faced Newcastle Local Court on Thursday after he was charged with committing an act done in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist attack.

He was refused bail and will return to the same court in August.

Patten’s online activities revealed the teen had described wanting to carry out terrorist attacks in Newcastle and Sydney, inspired by Christchurch shooter Brenton Tarrant, the anti-fascist research group White Rose Society said.

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