Manhunt in Australian bush brings long-dismissed conspiracy theorists to the fore

A massive manhunt is underway in Australia for a heavily armed fugitive accused of shooting two police officers in Porepunkah, a small town in the Australian Alps. The suspect, a "sovereign citizen" with anti-government beliefs, has evaded capture, sparking concerns about growing sects of conspiracy theorists in the country. The incident has revived questions about how Australia handles pseudo-law believers and anti-authoritarian groups, as authorities grapple with the threat posed by individuals who reject established government and law. Residents of Porepunkah are rattled by the unfolding events, shedding light on the pervasiveness of these ideologies in regional Australia and the potential for extremist actions among adherents.