Australian PM Albanese evacuated from official residence over security incident

2026-02-24 - 11:12

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was evacuated from his official Canberra residence, The Lodge, Tuesday night following a reported security incident, local media confirmed. Federal police responded to the alert and removed the prime minister to an undisclosed secure location while officers conducted a search of the premises. Police Response and Clearance Authorities carried out "a thorough search of a protection establishment" and confirmed that "nothing suspicious was located," according to a police spokesperson cited by 9News. The statement emphasized that "there is no current threat to the community or public safety," seeking to reassure Australians after the high-profile evacuation. The exact nature of the security incident that triggered the response has not been publicly detailed. Ongoing Investigation While police have cleared the immediate area and declared the situation resolved, investigators continue examining the circumstances that led to the security alert. The Lodge, located in Canberra's parliamentary triangle, serves as the prime minister's official residence and is protected by specialized security personnel. Albanese's movement to alternative accommodations followed standard security protocols, with government operations continuing normally during the incident.