Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese experienced a security scare on 24 February 2024 when he was evacuated from his official residence, The Lodge, in Canberra due to a bomb threat. Thankfully, the situation was resolved without incident.
Security Incident Details
The threat was reported around 6pm local time, prompting the Australian Federal Police to conduct a thorough search. They confirmed that nothing suspicious was found, and there was no ongoing danger to the public.
- Prime Minister evacuated for several hours.
- Search yielded no explosives or threats.
- Public safety assured by police.
Link to Shen Yun
Albanese later stated that the threat was allegedly linked to Shen Yun, a classical Chinese dance troupe. The message sent to Shen Yun’s local organisers falsely claimed that explosives were planted around The Lodge, set to detonate if the troupe performed in Australia. Albanese reflected on the incident, cautioning against taking security lightly.
“It’s a reminder to everyone to turn the heat down for goodness’ sake,” he remarked at an event in Melbourne, emphasising that such threats should be taken seriously.
Community and Official Reaction
Following the incident, the Prime Minister posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, thanking the police for their swift response. His post featured a cute photo of his dog, adding a light touch amidst the seriousness of the situation.
While Shen Yun and police officials have not commented further, the incident raises questions about security surrounding public figures and events linked to sensitive cultural issues.