Story by Dean Foley/Australian Correspondent.
Questions are being asked after claims an explosive device was handled following a Perth Invasion Day rally, with debate focusing on how institutions respond when the story doesn’t fit a neat script.
Officials urged calm, noting there are “processes” in place. The public asked what the process is. The public was told the process is “being processed”.
A spokesperson said policing priorities are set by risk assessments. “We assess risk carefully” they said. “First we assess whether the incident will become a headline. Then we assess whether that headline will inconvenience us.”
Community members said they want safety and accountability, not theatrics. In response, a new interagency unit was announced: the Rapid Incident Narrative Taskforce, tasked with ensuring every event is categorised within six hours as either “isolated”, “complex”or “please stop asking questions”.
The state also launched a public information campaign featuring helpful advice, including: Report everything, Trust the system and Do not expect the system to move at the speed of concern.
A senior official confirmed the agency is “committed to learning”, and has scheduled a formal learning opportunity for late next financial year, immediately after budget season and the annual “We’re Doing Our Best” luncheon.
