By Keane Bourke, ABC
Police speak to Liam Alexander Hall on the day of the Perth Invasion Day Rally. Photo: ABC News
A court has lifted an order concealing the identity of the man accused of throwing a bomb into a crowd at a Perth Invasion Day rally in an alleged act of terrorism.
Police allege Liam Alexander Hall, 32, tossed what they described as a homemade "fragment bomb" filled with ball bearings and screws into the crowd in the heart of Perth's CBD on January 26.
The crowd and police gather in Perth for the Invasion Day rally. Photo: ABC News: Cason Ho
Mr Hall is the first person in Western Australia's history to be charged with a terrorism offence.
WA's Police Commissioner Col Blanch said prosecutors would allege it "was a nationalist and racially motivated, attack … targeting members of the Aboriginal community, First Nations people".
Invasion Day rally alleged attack
Forrest Place, Perth CBD - January 26, 2026
Photo: ABC News
In the Perth Magistrates Court today, Magistrate Lynnette Dias rejected an argument by Mr Hall's lawyer that his identity should remain suppressed for his safety.
Mr Hall was not present in court, with his lawyer Simon Freitag SC referring to a doctor's report which found he was not fit to attend.
"The accused man is in a vulnerable mental health condition, he can't even appear today in the court, and we've been asked by his treating psychiatrist to adjourn the matter for six weeks," Mr Freitag said.
Magistrate Dias said that was not sufficient evidence to depart from the usual practice of naming people when they face court.
"Given the serious nature of these charges and fundamental principles relating to open justice, I do not consider that issues relating to the accused's interests and his personal circumstances are such as to justify displacing the usual practice of naming accused's persons," she said.
"It's not in the interests of justice to make a suppression order."
Incorrect images on social media
Lawyers for both the Commonwealth and WA Police had argued for the man's identity to be revealed, saying it was in the public interest.
Commonwealth prosecutor Kirsten Nelson leaves court. Photo: ABC News: Keane Bourke
"There is no evidence … of any specific risk to him in custody, that situation has been managed thus far," the Commonwealth's lawyer, Kirsten Nelson, told the court.
"It will continue to be ably managed by corrective services.
"There are many accused in the criminal justice system who have mental health issues."
Photo: ABC News: Keane Bourke
Ms Nelson also flagged there was a "risk of misidentification", with one image circulating on social media incorrectly claiming to show the accused.
Media outlets, including the ABC, also argued for the suppression order to be lifted.
'Massive public interest'
Mr Freitag acknowledged there was "massive public interest" in the case but that there was an "obvious risk" of harm to the accused if his identity was revealed, noting he had only met him for the first time yesterday.
"[It] adds nothing to any of that reporting, or confidence in the system, but it does protect a mentally vulnerable man who is currently in mental health treatment," he said.
There was already "significant evidence in support of the charges" which could give the public confidence in the administration of justice, even without the man being identified, Mr Freitag argued.
He said the medical report he had received "establishes a degree of vulnerability", but that it had not considered what impact the release of his identity could have.
The accused also had a father and two brothers, who also lived with disabilities, in WA who could be placed in a "difficult situation" if he was named, Mr Freitag said.
Lawyers for both the Commonwealth and WA Police have argued the accused's identity is in the public interest. Photo: ABC News: Keane Bourke
A police prosecutor said WA Police had already reached out to the man's family and had taken steps to "mitigate against any potential risk of harm".
"That's useful to know," Magistrate Dias said.
Mr Freitag was successful in securing a six-week adjournment to see how the accused's treatment was progressing and to assess the effect of medication he was on.
"After that time we'll then be in a position to hopefully proceed to enter a plea," he said.
A six-week adjournment has been granted by the court due to the accused's mental state. Photo: ABC News: Keane Bourke
On the question of whether any applications for bail would be made in the future, Mr Freitag said "we'll be guided by the medical evidence at that time" but suggested there would not be an application in the foreseeable future.
Mr Freitag said he had spoken to his client yesterday, that "he's aware of the new charge".
He's due back in court on March 31.
'Radicalised' online: premier
Speaking in parliament about the alleged attack, both Premier Roger Cook and Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas called for the community to allow justice to run its course.
"But it will be alleged that the attacker was radicalised by online, hateful and racist ideology," Mr Cook said.
"We must take more responsibility for how our words and actions can give oxygen to hate."
Both leaders said they stood with First Nations West Australians and the right of all Australians to peacefully protest.
-ABC
