Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was evacuated from his official residence, The Lodge, on Tuesday evening following a bomb threat. The warning reportedly demanded the cancellation of an upcoming performance by a banned Chinese cultural group, Shen Yun, in Beijing, threatening an attack on the Prime Minister’s residence if ignored.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) responded around 6 p.m., securing the residence and relocating the Prime Minister to a safe location for several hours. A thorough search found no suspicious objects or evidence of a real threat. Authorities confirmed there is no ongoing risk to the public.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s office said they trust the AFP to handle security matters and expressed gratitude for their work.
The Lodge, located in Canberra, is the official residence of the Prime Minister. Last November, it hosted the wedding of Albanese and Jodie Haydon. The AFP is responsible for the security of federal parliament members and key Commonwealth buildings, including The Lodge and Parliament House.
