Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was urgently evacuated from his official residence, The Lodge in Canberra, late on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, following the identification of a credible "safety threat" directed at the property.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed the incident in a brief statement released shortly after 10:00 p.m. local time, describing the threat as "specific and credible" but providing no further details on its nature—whether it involved an individual, a device, or another form of risk. Prime Minister Albanese was immediately moved to a secure, undisclosed location under heavy protection by the AFP's Close Personal Protection unit and other specialist teams.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister stated:
"The Prime Minister was evacuated from The Lodge as a precautionary measure after authorities identified a potential safety threat. He is safe and well. An investigation is underway, and he will continue to carry out his duties from a secure site. The Australian public can be assured that all appropriate security measures are in place."
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, was briefed on the situation and issued a short statement expressing support:
"This is a serious matter. My thoughts are with the Prime Minister, his family, and all those involved in ensuring his safety. Australians expect and deserve full transparency once the facts are established."
The Lodge, the official residence of the Australian Prime Minister in Canberra's suburb of Deakin, has been the site of previous security incidents, including a 2021 breach attempt and occasional protests. Tuesday's evacuation marks the first time in recent memory that a sitting prime minister has been forced to leave the residence on short notice due to an imminent threat assessment.
Security sources indicated that the threat was detected and assessed rapidly, triggering standard protocols that prioritize immediate relocation over remaining on-site. No injuries have been reported, and no arrests had been made as of early Wednesday morning local time.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened global political tensions and several high-profile security scares involving world leaders in recent months. In Australia, the threat landscape has included domestic extremism, foreign interference concerns, and occasional lone-actor risks.
Prime Minister Albanese's office has not indicated whether the threat is believed to be politically motivated, ideologically driven, or personal in nature. The AFP and ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) are leading a joint investigation, with early assessments expected to be shared with the National Security Committee of Cabinet.
Further updates are anticipated once the immediate risk is neutralized and a full sweep of The Lodge is completed. As of 08:29 PM WAT (which corresponds to early Wednesday morning in Canberra), the Prime Minister remains in a secure location, and normal government business continues without disruption.
The Australian public has been asked to remain vigilant but not alarmed, with authorities emphasizing that the swift response demonstrates the effectiveness of protective security arrangements for high office holders.
