A Queensland teenager is expected to reappear in Pine Rivers Magistrates Court today (18 September, 2026) charged with allegedly possessing violent extremist material and promoting it online.
The Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) charged the teenager after investigating a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report about an Australian user posting extremist content advocating violence and referencing terrorist attacks on an online social platform.
Police will allege the 18-year-old was the operator of several social media channels where extremist content was shared, and where statements supporting violence against people of Muslim, Jewish and migrant backgrounds were posted.
A search warrant was executed at a Warner home on 27 May, 2026, with officers seizing several electronic devices. Forensic examination of the devices located several files allegedly containing violent extremist material, as well as child abuse material.
The teenager is charged with:
- Fourteen counts of using a carriage service to transmit violent extremist material, contrary to section 474.45B (1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
- Eight counts of using a carriage service to promote violent extremist material, contrary to section 474.45B(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
- Three counts of using a carriage service to solicit violent extremist material, contrary to section 474.45B(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
- Three counts of use of a carriage service to possess violent extremist material, contrary to section 474.45C(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
- One count of use of a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence contrary to section 474.17(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
- One count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment.
He first appeared before Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on 27 May, 2026, and was remanded in custody.
The Queensland JCTT comprises members from the AFP, Queensland Police Service and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
AFP Detective Superintendent Anthony Conway said the AFP was focused on protecting Australia's national security by identifying and prosecuting offenders who posted violent extremist material and advocated for violence online.
"Protecting the community from harm is our highest priority, so when we receive information suggesting individuals are promoting or encouraging violence online, we take swift action," Det Supt Conway said.
"The AFP, and its JCTT partners, remain vigilant and ready to respond to protect our communities from the enduring threat of violent extremism.
"We are committed to working with all communities to reduce the radicalisation risk of vulnerable young people."
FBI Law Enforcement Attaché (LEGAT) Ryan Maxwell, based at the US Embassy in Canberra, said the FBI valued Australian law enforcement partners' resolve to act quickly and decisively in countering online threat activity.
"We highly value our Australian Joint Counter Terrorism Taskforce (JCTT) partners' resolve to act quickly and decisively based on this lead information, and demonstrating our shared commitment to our communities to be proactive in countering online threat activity," LEGAT Maxwell said.
"As our adversaries become more agile across borders in the online space, so must we as law enforcement and intelligence agencies."
LEGAT Maxwell noted the AFP and FBI recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that deepened collaboration to tackle terrorism and transnational crime through shared intelligence, coordinated operations and capability development.
"On the heels of the signing of our AFP-FBI MOU between Director Kash Patel and Commissioner Krissy Barrett on July 7, 2026, this is a direct example of our continued commitment to combatting terrorism and transnational crime through shared intelligence and coordinated operations," LEGAT Maxwell said.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) Detective Superintendent Heath Hutchings said everyone in Queensland had the right to feel safe.
"The QPS is committed to protecting our community. We will continue to work with our partners to target those who commit and incite violence," Det Supt Hutchings said.
Recognising early signs of change in a young person's behaviour can play a crucial role in guiding young people to safe and supportive pathways.
Signs a person may be susceptible to radicalisation include:
- distancing themselves from their usual friends and family members;
- an increase in the extremist nature of their rhetoric or propaganda they propagate;
- a child using hateful or emotionally charged language;
- developing a fixation on conspiracy theories or contentious social issues;
- displaying extreme reaction to certain news or politics, or
- spending increasing amounts of time in fringe forums on the internet.
If you believe someone you know is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) or local police (131 444). If you suspect someone is being radicalised online or in person, call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
For anonymous reporting, visit the Crime Stoppers website or call 1800 333 000.
