Canberra man, 20, charged over alleged Defence event attack at Hyatt HotelEmma KirkNewsWireSat, 21 February 2026 1:02PM
A 20-year-old Canberra man has been charged over an alleged plot to cause panic and disrupt a Defence industry event at the Hyatt Hotel after allegedly throwing a lit incendiary device.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy was addressing an ADM Congress when police evacuated hundreds of attendees after the device was allegedly thrown into the venue on Wednesday.
A bomb squad was deployed to the scene.
It came hours after a rock was thrown through a hotel window as Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond was about to address the conference.
WA’s biggest courts and crime stories to your inbox
Sign-up to our weekly newsletter for free
Sign up
Some delegates reportedly mistook the noise for gunshots, sparking a chaotic scramble for the exits.
Vice Admiral Hammond went ahead with his speech as planned after calm was restored.
The ACT Joint Counter Team (JCTT) raided the man’s home at Campbell and another property at Scullin on Friday.
Various items were seized from the properties that are undergoing forensic examination.
Police allege the man intended to cause fear among conference attendees and have not ruled out further charges.
He was charged with intent to cause public harm and damaging property and is due to face court today.
The matter is being investigated by the ACT JCTT, comprising the AFP, ACT Policing, and ASIO officers.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Steve Nutt said the investigation is continuing and will pursue inquiries to locate the other individuals involved.
“Let me be clear – this was not a prank. This was an extremely dangerous act we allege was intended to, and did, have a chilling effect on conference attendees, as well as staff and other guests of the hotel,” he said.
“We will not tolerate criminal behaviour or actions which advocate hatred, fear, violence and humiliation, and attempt to erode Australia’s social fabric.
“Those allegedly involved are now the focus of our joint counter terrorism investigators, and their skills and dogged determination.”
ACT Policing Deputy Chief Police Officer Paula Hudson said anyone with information about this incident, or other suspicious matters, should contact the relevant authorities.
“We take a zero-tolerance approach to acts that seek to disrupt lawful activities and cause fear in the community,” she said.
“Every piece of information is valuable to law enforcement, and I would urge anyone with relevant information to contact the National Security Hotline.”
Originally published as Canberra man, 20, charged over alleged Defence event attack at Hyatt Hotel
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails
Read more on The West Australian
