Daniel James on the Perth pipe bomb
Jan 31, 2026 •
At Forrest Place in Boorloo (Perth), on what this country officially calls Australia Day, around 2,500 people gathered to mark Invasion Day. They listened to speakers, held banners and, for a few hours, took up civic space in the way protest is meant to: visibly, peacefully, together.
Then, from a balcony above, an object arced through the air and landed near the stage. Police allege it was a homemade improvised explosive device containing nails, ball bearings and chemicals, later described as a fragmentation‑style device with the potential to cause serious harm or death. It did not detonate; it landed. The crowd was evacuated. Within hours, a 31‑year‑old man was arrested and charged with offences including intent to harm and possession of explosives.
What happened next stayed with our host Daniel James – and he decided to write about it. So in this special episode, we’re bringing you his essay on the Perth pipe bomb – and the silence that followed.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Daniel James on the Perth pipe bomb
1802 • Jan 31, 2026
Daniel James on the Perth pipe bomb
At Forrest Place in Boorloo (Perth), on what this country officially calls Australia Day, around 2,500 people gathered to mark Invasion Day. They listened to speakers, held banners and, for a few hours, took up civic space in the way protest is meant to: visibly, peacefully, together.
Then, from a balcony above, an object arced through the air and landed near the stage. Police allege it was a homemade improvised explosive device containing nails, ball bearings and chemicals, later described as a fragmentation‑style device with the potential to cause serious harm or death. It did not detonate; it landed. The crowd was evacuated. Within hours, a 31‑year‑old man was arrested and charged with offences including intent to harm and possession of explosives.
What happened next stayed with our host Daniel James – and he decided to write about it. So in this special episode, we’re bringing you his essay on the Perth pipe bomb – and the silence that followed.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Guest: Award-winning writer and 7am host Daniel James
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7am is a daily show from Solstice Media.
It’s made by Atticus Bastow, Arielle Richards, Chris Dengate, Daniel James, Krystal Keller, Nicole Johnston, Travis Evans and Zoltan Fecso.
Our theme music is by Ned Beckley and Josh Hogan of Envelope Audio.