Failed Australia Day bombing accused faces court

A man accused of throwing a homemade bomb at the crowd on Invasion Day has appeared in court for the first time since his indictment.

Liam Alexander Hall, 32, is charged with involvement in an act of terrorism following the incident in Perth on January 26.

Thousands of people were evacuated from Forrest Place in Perth city center after police found an item containing volatile chemicals, nails and metal ball bearings.

Police allege Hall threw the explosive from a catwalk above the crowd of Indigenous people, families and supporters.

The device did not explode even though a fuse was lit.

Hall’s case has previously been heard at the Perth Magistrates Court, but he was too ill to appear on those occasions.

On Tuesday he was present in a courtroom at a psychiatric hospital, where the three charges against him were read out via video link.

Hall, wearing a white shirt and black pants with unkempt hair, did not have to enter a plea and said very little.

He slowly raised his hand to acknowledge his identity and quietly said “yes ma’am” when Magistrate Heidi Watson asked if he was Liam Hall.

Hall also said he understood when Ms Watson first read the three charges against him.

In addition to the terrorism charge – the first in Western Australia’s history – Hall is charged with intent to harm after allegedly “throwing an improvised grenade into a crowd of protesters”.

Hall is also charged with making and possessing explosives.

Police will allege the incident was a nationalist and racially motivated attack targeting First Nations people during the protest.

Hall radicalized himself and acted alone, police previously said.

He reportedly accessed bomb-making instructions and “pro-white male” materials online, and accessed and participated in the ideology.

Hall was remanded in custody and his case was adjourned to September 16 for appearance at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court.

The court previously heard Hall was in a fragile mental health condition and was living alone when the alleged attack occurred on Australia Day.

If found guilty of the terrorism crime, he faces life behind bars.