A Gold Coast man has been charged with multiple terrorism-related offences after police allegedly uncovered violent extremist videos and propaganda linked to several listed terrorist organisations on his electronic devices.
The 51-year-old Pacific Pines resident is expected to appear before Southport Magistrates Court after being charged with one count of using a carriage service for violent extremist material and six counts of possessing or controlling violent extremist material.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Peter Crozier said authorities remained focused on preventing the spread of extremist content.
“There is no place in Australian society for violent or extremist content, which terrorist organisations use as a tool to radicalise members of the community, particularly young or vulnerable people,” he said.
“The AFP, together with our state, Commonwealth and international partners, is actively targeting those who promote hatred, as decency and respect are core values every member of our community has the right to expect.”
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) will allege the man possessed and shared violent videos and propaganda messages associated with Hamas, Hezbollah, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Ansar Allah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
Police allege the material, dating back to 2014, was shared with friends and family members through an encrypted social media platform.
The arrest is the second to arise from a Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team (QLD JCTT) investigation.
The investigation began after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted the man on his return to Australia from the United Arab Emirates in October 2025. During an examination of his mobile phone, officers allegedly located violent extremist material and seized the device for forensic analysis.
The matter was referred to the AFP, which launched a joint investigation with the Queensland Police Service and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
On 13 November 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at a Pacific Pines home, where they allegedly found additional violent extremist material on an electronic device.
A 19-year-old Gold Coast man living at the same address was charged at the time and later released on bail.
Each of the offences carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.
Australian Border Force Acting Assistant Commissioner Rosemaree Cracknell said border officers played a critical role in identifying national security threats.
“Our officers are highly trained to detect indicators of criminality and national security threats at the border,” she said.
“Anyone seeking to transport, possess or distribute violent extremist material should expect that our officers have the powers and capability to detect that activity and bring it to the attention of our law enforcement partners.”
Queensland Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Heath Hutchings said the coordinated investigation demonstrated the strength of the joint counter-terrorism partnership.
“The collective power and capabilities of all agencies in the JCTT sends a strong message about the commitment to thoroughly investigate and then put offenders before the courts,” he said.
Investigations into the matter remain ongoing.
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