Australian Prime Minister Evacuated from The Lodge Following Security Incident

Canberra, Australia – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was evacuated from his official residence, The Lodge, in Canberra on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, following a security incident. The incident prompted a significant police operation and the Prime Minister was relocated to a secure location for several hours.

Details of the Incident

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) responded to an “alleged security incident” at The Lodge around 6:00 PM local time. A thorough search of the premises was conducted, but no suspicious items were found, according to the AFP statement.

“A thorough search of a protection establishment was undertaken and nothing suspicious was located,” the AFP said. “There is no current threat to the community or public safety.”

Prime Minister’s Response

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister stated that the office trusts the AFP to carry out their duties and thanked them for their work as reported by the ABC. Albanese has since returned to The Lodge according to SBS News.

Recent Security Concerns

This incident follows a recent increase in threats towards politicians in Australia. Last week, a man was arrested for allegedly throwing a rock and a fake explosive device at the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra as reported by SBS News.

AFP Investigation

The AFP is responsible for protecting federal parliamentarians and Commonwealth buildings, including The Lodge and Parliament House. The AFP has stated that it will release more details about the incident at a later time according to the ABC. The incident is believed to have been a bomb threat as reported by the Australian Financial Review.

The Lodge

The Lodge is the official residence of the Australian Prime Minister in Canberra, and was the location of Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon’s wedding in November according to the ABC.