A 65-year-old Carlton man has been charged with terrorism offences after Victoria’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) alleged he acted as an online propagandist for Islamic State (ISIS) and shared about 10,000 extremist files.
The man was arrested on Wednesday, 23 September, following a search of a Carlton home where investigators seized a mobile phone. He is expected to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
The JCTT — comprising the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Victoria Police and ASIO — alleges the investigation began after Australian Border Force officers intercepted the man at Melbourne International Airport on 21 November 2020 as he prepared to travel to Egypt.
AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Paula Hudson said the investigation demonstrated the commitment of counter-terrorism agencies to disrupting alleged support for terrorism online.
“The material allegedly shared by this man glorified acts of extreme violence and promoted a terrorist organisation, spreading a hateful ideology that’s designed to radicalise others,” Hudson said.
“Terrorist organisations like ISIS rely on online platforms to distribute propaganda and recruit supporters. Their content is specifically designed to radicalise individuals, encouraging them to adopt extremist beliefs and commit acts of violence.”
A forensic examination of his phone allegedly uncovered ISIS-related material, with the device subsequently seized by the AFP.
Police allege further investigations, including a 2024 search warrant, found evidence that the man had pledged allegiance to ISIS and operated as an online propagandist from Australia.
Investigators allege he transmitted around 10,000 files containing extremist material between November 2015 and July 2020, including videos, images, audio files, documents and messages relating to executions, torture and ISIS propaganda.
The JCTT also alleges the man distributed information about avoiding law enforcement detection and instructional material relating to planning and carrying out mass-casualty attacks.
The man faces one count of membership of a terrorist organisation, three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence by transmitting violent extremist material, and one count of possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained using a carriage service.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Crime and Counter Terrorism Investigation Services Martin O’Brien said the arrest should serve as a warning that online extremist activity was being monitored.
“Alongside our JCTT partners, the priority for Victoria Police is to ensure the safety of our community,” O’Brien said.
“It is an offence to access or share violent extremist material and authorities will act when these crimes are identified and hold offenders to account.”
Following the arrest, One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson accused the Albanese Government of being “soft on terror” and said the case demonstrated what she described as the ongoing threat of radical Islamic terrorism. “The Government is soft on terror,” Hanson said.
“This alleged terrorist is accused of being a member of ISIS and providing instructions to others on how to plan and carry out mass casualty terrorist attacks.”
Hanson also criticised the Government’s handling of people linked to ISIS and called for greater transparency from Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.
“National security starts with being upfront with the Australian people,” Hanson said.
“The Home Affairs Minister needs to front the Australian public and start telling them the truth.”
The offences carry maximum penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment. The investigation remains ongoing.
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