Gladstone man, 18, charged with planning to cause death or grievous bodily harm after counter-terrorism investigation

An 18-year-old South Gladstone man has been charged with planning to cause death or grievous bodily harm after a tip-off to the National Security Hotline, Queensland Police said on Saturday morning.

Detectives from the Queensland Police Service’s Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group arrested and charged the man on Friday 6 November, the same day the tip was received. Police allege he was making plans for acts of violence.

He faces one count of planning to cause death or grievous bodily harm. Police opposed bail, and he was expected to appear in Gladstone Magistrates Court on Saturday 7 November.

In a statement released at 9.23am AEST (7.23am AWST), the Queensland Police Service said there were “no known ongoing direct threats to the community”. Police also said they were not aware of any threat to upcoming events.

The man has not been named by police. He has been charged only, and the allegation has not been tested in court.

How did the investigation start?

Police said the investigation began with information from a member of the public, passed on through the National Security Hotline on 6 November. Counter-terrorism detectives moved on the information the same day and arrested the man in Gladstone, the industrial port city about 500 kilometres north of Brisbane.

The police statement did not say whether the tip related to activity online or in person, or whether the man was known to police before Friday.

Police have not said what the alleged plans involved, whether any particular place or group was a target, or what was found when the man was arrested. They have not said whether anyone else is under investigation.

What does the charge mean?

The charge alleges that the man was planning to cause death or grievous bodily harm. It is an allegation made by police, and the man is presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise.

Queensland Police have described the case as a counter-terrorism investigation, and it is being handled by the Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group, the state police’s specialist counter-terrorism detectives. Police have not publicly stated any alleged motive.

What happens in court?

A first appearance in a Magistrates Court is usually brief. Because police opposed bail, the court would be expected to deal with whether the man stays in custody while the case proceeds, and to set a date for the matter to return to court.

Serious charges are typically adjourned at a first appearance so the prosecution can prepare a brief of evidence. Under Australian law, once a person is charged, reporting is limited to the charge, the court process and what is said in open court, so that a fair trial is not put at risk.

Is there a risk to the public?

Police said there were no known ongoing direct threats to the community and none known to upcoming events.

The Queensland Police Service urged anyone with information about this matter, or about any other possible threat, to come forward. People can call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400, contact Policelink on 131 444 or use the online suspicious activity form on the Queensland Police website. Information can be given anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Why does a public tip matter?

In this case, police said the investigation started with a call from a member of the public. The National Security Hotline is the national line for reporting possible signs of terrorism, and calls are assessed by security and law enforcement agencies. In Saturday’s statement, police asked anyone with information about this case or any other possible threat to report it.

VNN will update this story as more is confirmed.