Australians have questioned the level of offence police charged a man with after he allegedly threw an explosive device into a large Invasion Day protest crowd.
A glass container that had ball bearings and screws in an unknown liquid was hurled into a demonstration gathered at Forrest Place, in Perth's CBD, on January 26.
Police alleged the device was designed to 'explode on impact', saying it was only down to good fortune that it did not detonate.
A 31-year-old man, from Warwick, in northern Perth, was charged with intent to do harm in such a way as to endanger life, health or safety and with making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances.
But young Australian Georgia, whose partner was a speaker at the event, posted a video on social media claiming the charges should be harsher.
'It is so lucky that for whatever reason [the alleged bomb] didn't light properly and the device didn't detonate,' she said.
'[Police] raided his home and found a bunch of other [alleged] explosive-related material and they have charged him with intent to harm.
'Like, what the actual f*** is going on in this f***ing colony these days. It's absurd. I can't eat, I just feel so sick.'
Young Australian Georgia (pictured) has criticised WA Police for not charging a man with an offence related to terrorism after an incident at an Invasion Day protest in Perth
A glass container which contained ball bearings and screws in an unknown liquid was hurled into a demonstration gathered at Forrest Place, in Perth's CBD, on January 26
A 31-year-old man was charged with intent to do harm in such a way as to endanger life, health or safety and with making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances
Georgia slammed the 'minimal' coverage of what had happened, adding: 'I've literally had to tell people on the East Coast that it has happened.'
Her comments were echoed by other Australians, who also questioned the level of the offence with which the man was charged.
'It begs belief!... I am so very glad it was a failed attempt,' one person commented.
Another wrote: 'I hope he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and this should be upgraded to terrorism!'
Counter-terrorism expert and Murdoch University associate professor Mark Briskey told The Australian the device had similarities to homemade pipe bombs used by terrorists in various incidents he had helped investigate throughout Asia.
'I think we are very lucky that this didn't detonate,' he said.
The Daily Mail has contacted WA Police and the WA Justice Department for comment.
Following the man's arrest, police seized his electronic devices but have not disclosed any information they found that could suggest a motivation for the alleged act.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said officers must establish a political, religious or ideological motive in order to declare the incident a terrorist act
The 31-year-old man did not apply for bail and the matter has been adjourned until February 17
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said officers must establish a political, religious or ideological motive in order to declare the incident a terrorist act.
Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia has similarly said it cannot be called an act of terror without confirmation.
Minutes after the device was thrown, police evacuated the crowd by commandeering the stage and asking everyone to leave.
The court granted a suppression order on the man's identity due to fears for his safety if other inmates learned the accusations against him.
He did not apply for bail and the matter has been adjourned until February 17.
