‘We should be dead’: Perth’s Indigenous community felt ignored after alleged Invasion Day bombing attempt, inquiry told

File photo of a rally in Perth. Indigenous community members have testified at a federal inquiry about the alleged attempted terror attack on the Invasion Day rally. Photograph: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

Indigenous community members who witnessed the alleged attempted terror attack at the Invasion Day rally in Perth have told a federal inquiry into racism and hate directed at First Nations people that they felt dismissed and ignored by authorities.

Western Australia police declared the incident was being investigated as a terror attack nine days after an alleged homemade bomb, filled with ball bearings, screws and other projectiles, was thrown into the crowd of 2,000 people at Forrest Place on 26 January. Perth man Liam Alexander Hall has been charged with terrorism offences and is in custody, and his lawyers have indicated he intends to plead not guilty by way of insanity.