Canberra, April 11 || Australia's opposition leader -- and alternative Prime Minister -- Peter Dutton has been identified as the target of an alleged terror plot.
News Corp Australia newspapers on Thursday night reported that a 16-year-old from Brisbane was in August 2024 arrested and charged by police over an alleged plan to attack Dutton, the leader of the opposition Coalition, at his home north of Brisbane.
According to the News Corp report, the alleged plot involved the use of a drone and homemade explosives.
The teenager faced a hearing in the Brisbane Children's Court on Thursday where he was committed to stand trial in the Queensland Supreme Court on a single charge of committing acts done in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, news agency reported quoting the News Corp.
Addressing the incident on Friday, Dutton told reporters on the campaign trail for the upcoming general election that he has complete faith in the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to protect him and his family.
"I'm incredibly grateful to the AFP that my family are kept safe. I've never felt unsafe one day in this job, particularly with the protection from the AFP. It hasn't stopped me from doing anything," he said in Western Australia.
PM Anthony Albanese, whose governing Labor Party is aiming to win a second term in government at the election, earlier on Friday confirmed he had reached out to Dutton to discuss the alleged plot.