Alleged school terror plot raises alarm over antisemitic and racist radicalisation
A 13-year-old Queensland boy accused of plotting an attack on a primary school allegedly discussed hatred of Jewish people and Black people and mass murder online, a court heard on Wednesday.
The boy, who cannot be named, has been refused bail after prosecutors alleged he had accessed violent extremist material and written a manifesto containing antisemitic and racist abuse, threats against children and hostility towards police.
He is believed to be the first person charged under Queensland’s new laws, introduced through the Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns Out of the Hands of Terrorists and Criminals Amendments Act.
Maryborough Courthouse (photo: Ech.walking – CC0 via Wikimedia)
The teenager is charged with preparing or planning to cause death or grievous bodily harm and using a carriage service to obtain violent extremist material.
Maryborough Children’s Court heard the charges followed an incident at a Maryborough service station on May 28, when the boy was allegedly armed with a 24cm kitchen knife.
Police allege he had been looking for targets and intended to travel to Albert State School. The court was previously told he said he had wanted to kill people for months but became frightened and did not carry out the alleged plan.
During a bail hearing, police prosecutor Nick Jones read from an alleged manifesto found on a computer. The document contained repeated threats against children, violent language towards police, racist abuse directed at Black and Jewish people, and claims that the writer lacked empathy.
Jones also said the boy had taken part in online conversations in which he expressed hatred towards Black people and Jewish people and discussed plans to commit mass murder.
Jones said the boy took part in online conversations “where he speaks of hatred towards Black people, Jewish people, expressing plans to commit mass murders”.
Investigators allegedly found extremist material on one of the boy’s devices, including footage of the 2019 Christchurch massacre in New Zealand, in which 51 Muslim worshippers were murdered.
Albert State School (Photo: Heritage branch staff – Heritage Register:, photo: CC BY 4.0)
Prosecutors argued the alleged conduct was planned, not impulsive.
The court also heard allegations the boy had previously threatened family members.
Defence barrister Clem van der Weegen, appearing for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, said the boy had serious mental health issues and had been largely isolated at home for about two years. Van der Weegen described the boy as wandering aimlessly at the service station, a characterisation prosecutors rejected.
Psychiatrist Dr Michael Tunbridge had assessed the boy and described him as being in a depressive state, the court heard.
Magistrate John Milburn refused bail, saying the risk remained. The boy was remanded in custody and is due to return to court on September 15.
Queensland Police have said there is no ongoing threat to the community. The Department of Education has ordered a high-level review, and support has been offered to affected students and staff.
The allegations have not been tested in court.
