Man charged over threats at WA MP Hannah Beazley's office says he was holding a musical instrument

Summary

John Lawrence Smart has been charged with being armed in a way that may cause fear over an allegedly threatening incident at the electorate office of Labor MP Hannah Beazley in Perth. He appeared in the WA magistrates court on Thursday and was not required to enter a plea. Police allege he was armed with what the Guardian describes as "improvised nunchucks" while making threats. In court, he told the ABC's coverage of the hearing that he was holding a musical instrument, not a weapon, and the court was told the object may have been drumsticks. His lawyer expressed concern for his mental health.

Timeline

1. ABC

   22 Oct 2026, 09:48 UTCSource ↗

   The ABC reports that a man charged over an allegedly threatening incident at Labor MP Hannah Beazley's electorate office told a Perth court he was holding a musical instrument, not a weapon, as police allege.

2. The Guardian

   22 Oct 2026, 12:08 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that John Lawrence Smart, accused of making threats while armed with "improvised nunchucks" at a WA MP's electorate office, could have been holding a musical instrument, not a weapon, a court was told on Thursday, and that his lawyer expressed concern for his mental health.