Canberra teenager becomes first in ACT charged with planning a terrorist act
A 17-year-old Canberra youth has been charged with additional terrorism offences, including acts in preparation for a terrorist act, making him the first person in the Australian Capital Territory to face such a charge.
The ACT Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising the Australian Federal Police, ACT Policing and ASIO, arrested the teenager on 5 November 2025. He has remained in custody since then.
ACT Law Courts (photo: Instagram)
The youth appeared in the ACT Children’s Court today (May 12, 2026) facing one count of acts in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act (contrary to section 101.6 of the Criminal Code (Cth), maximum penalty life imprisonment) and one count of transmitting violent extremist material.
Police allege the teenager was planning an attack on people not known to him, motivated by views aligned with nationalist and racist extremism. Further evidence is said to support claims he shared violent extremist material and was actively preparing a terrorist act.
During the November 2025 raid at a residence in Downer, police seized chemicals, gas masks, military-style clothing, an imitation firearm, written extremist material and a mobile phone. Initial charges included possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained via a carriage service and unauthorised possession of a prohibited firearm.
Court hearings revealed the teenager allegedly developed detailed plans for public attacks, including on a homeless person and a “commie march”, and possessed material with equipment potentially usable for a bomb. He was described in one hearing as a “wannabe terrorist”.
Reports indicated online discussions with like-minded individuals about livestreaming a chemical attack as part of broader nationalist and racial extremist goals. Material reportedly included depictions of shootings, a game-style simulation of the Christchurch attacks, Nazi flags and Ku Klux Klan imagery.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Peter Crozier described the case as concerning, noting the circulation of violent extremist material online to promote hate and division. He emphasised ongoing efforts by law enforcement to protect the community and the role of parents, schools and technology companies in prevention. ACT Policing Deputy Chief Police Officer Richard Chin highlighted the importance of early intervention, urging parents and educators to watch for signs of radicalisation.
This case aligns with broader concerns about the radicalisation of young people, particularly via online extremist propaganda, including nationalist and racist ideologies. Authorities stress there is no ongoing threat to the community from this individual.
The ACT Joint Counter Terrorism Team and its partners continue to monitor and respond to radicalisation risks among vulnerable youth. If you believe someone you know is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) or ACT Policing on 131 444. If you suspect someone is being radicalised, call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400. For anonymous reporting, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppers.com.au.
The teenager’s matter is ongoing in the ACT Children’s Court. He has not been convicted of the charges.
