20-year-old man accused of planning WA terror attacks faces bail hearing
Consensus Summary
A 20-year-old man named Jayson Joseph Michaels is accused of planning a terrorist attack targeting Western Australia’s Parliament House, police headquarters, and mosques in Perth. Police raided his parents’ home in Bindoon in February 2024, seizing a manifesto, weapons, ammunition, and knives, after allegedly finding evidence of online radicalisation tied to white supremacist ideology. Michaels allegedly documented his plans in a diary, comparing his intended violence to the Bondi beach attack and detailing research into explosives, lock-picking, and escape tactics. His lawyer argued the case was weak, portraying him as a depressed, isolated youth engaging in escapism, while prosecutors emphasized his detailed planning, online consultations with extremists, and possession of weapons. Magistrate Belinda Coleman refused bail, describing the diary as disturbing and not mere ramblings, and noted his ongoing research into weapons construction. Michaels remains remanded in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for May. Discrepancies include references to an autism assessment in one source, variations in the specifics of his radicalisation sources, and additional charges mentioned only by ABC.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Jayson Joseph Michaels, 20, is accused of plotting a terrorist attack targeting WA Parliament House, police headquarters, and mosques in Perth
- Police raided Michaels’ parents’ home in Bindoon, 75km northeast of Perth, on February 2024, seizing a written manifesto, dozens of rounds of ammunition, guns, and knives
- Michaels allegedly wrote in his diary: 'What I want to do to both these groups pales in comparison to today' after the Bondi beach attack (December 2023)
- Michaels appeared via video link from Casuarina Prison during a bail hearing on March 2024 and was remanded in custody
- Magistrate Belinda Coleman refused bail, describing Michaels’ diary as 'disturbing' and not mere 'ramblings'
- Michaels is charged with acting in preparation for a terrorist act, weapons offences, and failing to store firearms properly
- Michaels allegedly researched mosque entry points, lock-picking, and explosives, and consulted extremist white supremacist material online
- His lawyer Christian Porter argued Michaels was depressed, isolated, and engaged in escapism with no real intent to carry out the plans
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Prosecutor Kirsten Nelson stated Michaels allegedly practised lock-picking in his bedroom and researched firearm construction using a 3D printer
- Nelson mentioned Michaels designed a patch for his jacket and anticipated notoriety from the attack, referencing 'point scoring' from a manifesto
- Magistrate Coleman noted Michaels researched explosives and firearm construction via a 3D computer and liaised with others about crafting weapons
- Michaels allegedly accessed the 'Watch People Die' website, which was open on his computer during the raid
- Michaels allegedly planned to use a van resembling an ambulance for escape and considered buying a ballistic helmet or Iron Man-style body armour
- The Guardian described Michaels’ diary as a 'list of actions' including making weapons and body armour for a 'day of justice'
- Michaels allegedly compared his planned attack to the Bondi shootings, writing: 'What I want to do to both these groups pales in comparison to today'
- The article explicitly states Michaels allegedly got a job to access bomb-making materials but left empty-handed after one day
- ABC mentioned Michaels may require an assessment for autism spectrum disorder, a detail not mentioned in other sources
- Michaels was held in a special handling unit in Casuarina Prison due to safety risks, including a reported threat to his safety
- ABC noted Michaels allegedly proposed joining the Army Reserve as part of his plans
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC mentions Michaels may require an autism assessment, but this detail is not referenced in NEWSCOMAU or THEGUARDIAN
- THEGUARDIAN states Michaels allegedly got a job to access bomb-making materials but left empty-handed, while NEWSCOMAU does not mention this specific detail
- NEWSCOMAU describes Michaels as consulting manifestos of 'right wing mass killers and white supremacists,' while THEGUARDIAN refers to 'a declared terrorist organisation' manifesto
- ABC reports Michaels was charged with 'using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence,' which is not mentioned in NEWSCOMAU or THEGUARDIAN
- THEGUARDIAN describes Michaels’ diary as a 'list of actions' including weapons and body armour, while NEWSCOMAU frames it as 'big grandiose ideas that were never going to happen'
Source Articles
‘Escapism’: Terror-accused’s court claim
A man who is accused of plotting a mass casualty terror attack in one Aussie capital has told a court he was merely fantasising....
Man accused of plotting WA terror attack believed assault he was planning would be worse than Bondi beach shootings, court hears
Jayson Joseph Michaels allegedly planned attack on police headquarters, Parliament House and mosques Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or da...
WA man charged with terrorism offences wrote of Bondi attacks in diary, court told
Jayson Joseph Michaels, 20, had reflected on the Bondi attacks in his diary and was allegedly planning a "day of justice", a Perth court hears....