Dutton named as target of alleged teen terror plot

Peter Dutton has responded to reports he was the target of an alleged terror plot last year.

The Opposition Leader said politics was a “brutal business,” but that he felt protected by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Overnight, The Australian reported a 16-year-old boy had appeared in Brisbane’s Children’s Court over an alleged attempt to attack Dutton.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reached out to Dutton, adding that he has also recently been the target of a “pretty serious incident”.

Alleged plot

On Thursday night, The Australian published allegations Dutton had been the target of a terror plot developed by a teenage boy.

The boy allegedly made preparations between May and July 2024 to attack Dutton at his home north of Brisbane.

According to unnamed sources, the 16-year-old has been in custody since he was arrested and will face trial in Queensland’s Supreme Court.

Preparing to carry out a terrorist act carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in Australia.

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Responding to questions about the report in The Australian, Dutton said his concerns were “always in relation to the safety of my family”.

“I’ve never felt unsafe one day in this job, particularly with the protection from the [Australian Federal Police],” he said.

“It hasn’t stopped me from doing anything, and it won’t on this campaign.”

Albanese said he reached out to Dutton directly when he became aware of the reports.

He added he had also been the alleged target of a “pretty serious incident,” adding it was “before legal processes at the moment”.

“The number of threats that have been made to parliamentarians has increased in recent times,” Albanese said.

“There’s no place whatsoever in politics for any of this.”