Australian Prime Minister Evacuated After Bomb Threat Linked to Opponents of China-Banned Group

Canberra, Australia – February 25, 2026

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was evacuated from his official residence, The Lodge, on Tuesday night following a bomb threat reportedly linked to opponents of the Falun Gong-backed Shen Yun performance troupe.

The threats came ahead of Shen Yun’s upcoming shows in Australia. Two emails, written in Chinese and sent to the Falun Dafa Association, falsely claimed explosives had been planted at the prime minister’s residence and threatened his safety if the performances proceeded. The emails were dated February 10 and February 22.

Albanese reassured the public Wednesday via social media, posting a photo of his dog, Toto, at The Lodge and thanking Australian police for their swift response. “Toto on alert but all good,” he wrote, noting that such threats “cannot be taken for granted.”

Australian Federal Police confirmed they responded to an “alleged security incident” around 6 p.m. local time, conducting a thorough search of the residence and finding no suspicious items. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said staff were evacuated for a few hours while the property was secured.

The Falun Dafa Association of Australia condemned the threats, calling them part of a “coordinated pattern of bomb threats, death threats, and systematic intimidation” consistent with tactics used to silence dissent outside China.

Shen Yun performers and organisers have reported similar threats in countries including South Korea, Denmark, and Austria. Leeshai Lemish, a US-based Shen Yun narrator, said the group has documented roughly 200 similar incidents since March 2024.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by stating it “consistently opposed all kinds of violent attacks,” without further comment on the incident.