A 20-year-old man, Jayson Joseph Michaels, faces serious charges in Western Australia, including preparation for a terrorist act. The allegations stem from a diary discovered during a police raid at his family home in Bindoon. In this diary, prosecutors claim Michaels detailed plans to launch a mass casualty attack on significant sites such as the WA police headquarters, WA Parliament House, and mosques, asserting his intention to exceed the brutality of the Bondi Beach mass shootings.
During a failed bail hearing at the Perth Magistrates Court, the court reviewed excerpts from the diary, which allegedly outlined Michaels’ intentions over a three-year period. Commonwealth prosecutor Kirsten Nelson described the entries as a clear articulation of his desire to commit violence, including creating weapons and body armour for a “day of justice.” She noted that Michaels had even pursued access to materials for bomb-making, although he reportedly left empty-handed after a day of work meant to secure such resources.
The court was informed that Michaels had compared his planned attack to the Bondi Beach incident, writing about how his actions would overshadow those of that tragic event. His diary reportedly included disturbing reflections on his desires for notoriety, expecting to see his face on television after his attack.
Michaels allegedly engaged with extremist white supremacist content online, including a manifesto from a declared terrorist organisation. His writings included detailed observations of entry points at targeted venues and thoughts on using a van resembling an ambulance to facilitate an escape.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Michaels’ defence lawyer, former federal attorney-general Christian Porter, argued that his client was an isolated individual struggling with depression and that his plans were nothing more than fantasies. He likened the diary to a superhero comic, describing Michaels as a ‘pretender’ full of empty bravado. However, the magistrate, Belinda Coleman, highlighted the diary’s distressing nature and the presence of firearms, ammunition, and knives in Michaels’ possession, which ultimately led to the refusal of his bail application.
The case against Michaels is still developing, and he has yet to enter a plea. He is scheduled to appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on May 13.