Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was evacuated from The Lodge, his official residence in Canberra, last night following a bomb threat. The threat was linked to upcoming performances in Australia by Shen Yun, a classical Chinese dance and music group that is banned in China.
Chinese government warns against Shen Yun performances
Shen Yun, which has been linked to the Falun Gong spiritual movement, is scheduled to perform in several Australian cities over the next month, beginning tonight on the Gold Coast. The Chinese government has repeatedly criticised Shen Yun performances and urged people not to attend, with consulates in Sydney and Melbourne issuing statements in January attacking both Falun Gong and the performing arts group.
The Melbourne Consulate described Shen Yun as “a political tool used by the Falun Gong cult” and warned that performances “maliciously slander the Chinese government.” Falun Gong has responded by characterising these statements as “transnational repression.”
According to the ABC, an email was sent to Shen Yun’s local organisers falsely claiming explosives had been placed around the Prime Minister’s residence and would be detonated if the performances proceeded. The email contained a graphic threat: “If you insist on proceeding with the performance, then the Prime Minister’s Lodge will be blown into ruins and blood will flow like a river.”
Shen Yun received the threat yesterday and immediately passed it on to the Australian Federal Police (AFP). A thorough search of The Lodge was conducted, and no threat was found.
Security agencies report threats against federal parliamentarians
This incident comes as police and intelligence agencies report a rise in threats made against federal parliamentarians. ASIO boss Mike Burgess recently warned that Australians are losing the ability to “converse with civility and debate with respect.” The AFP received 951 reports of threatening communications to parliamentarians last financial year and has established National Security Investigations teams to address the issue.
Authorities have stated there is no evidence linking the Chinese Embassy or Chinese government to this specific evacuation. One government source cautioned against drawing conclusions, suggesting the threat could have originated from someone opposed to Falun Gong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at The Lodge last night?
The Prime Minister was evacuated from The Lodge due to a bomb threat linked to performances by the Shen Yun group.
What is the connection between Shen Yun and Falun Gong?
The Shen Yun group has been linked to the Falun Gong spiritual movement.
Has Shen Yun faced threats before?
Yes, last year the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC was evacuated after receiving a similar threat before a Shen Yun performance.
Given the current climate of heightened security concerns and the ongoing debate surrounding the nature of Shen Yun’s performances, what steps can be taken to ensure the safety of both performers and audiences at upcoming events?
