New Delhi: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was taken to a secure location on Tuesday evening after police responded to a reported bomb threat at his official residence in Canberra.
The 62-year-old leader was shifted from The Lodge at around 6 pm local time as security agencies carried out precautionary checks. He returned to the residence shortly after 9 pm once authorities completed a detailed search of the premises.
A spokesperson for the Australian Federal Police said officers were alerted to a potential security concern at the property, which is situated close to Parliament House.
“A thorough search of a protection establishment was undertaken and nothing suspicious was located. There is no current threat to the community or public safety. Further information will be provided at an appropriate time,” the statement said, according to The Guardian.
Earlier in the day, Albanese had recorded a one-hour interview with a journalist at The Lodge, hours before the security scare unfolded. In recent months, the Prime Minister and several federal lawmakers have reportedly received multiple security threats. Observers have also spoken of increased security arrangements at Albanese’s public engagements.