The trial of a private schoolboy who allegedly planned to carry out an attack on the Liberal Party has begun in Brisbane.
The Crown alleges the defendant, who was 15 at the time, planned to use a bomb to target a public event.
He has pleaded not guilty to one count of acts done in preparation for or in planning a terrorist act.
In her opening address, prosecutor Sally Flynn KC said the Crown would argue the defend was influenced to carry out an attack by American terrorist Ted Kazczunski, better known as the “Unabomber”.
Ms Flynn told the jury police had first been alerted to the defendant’s alleged plans in July 2024 by one of his friends after it was not carried out.
Ms Flynn said a subsequent search of the defendant’s devices allegedly showed the teenager had been researching how to make explosive devices, had purchased equipment to make them, and had begun testing that equipment.
Police were alerted to the teenager’s alleged plans by one of his friends in July 2024. (ABC News: Demi Lynch)
The jury was presented with transcripts of WhatsApp messages, diary entries and receipts for products allegedly bought by the defendant.
The prosecution also said it intended to include videos that it alleges show the accused carrying out testing of potential explosives.
Ms Flynn said a search of the defendant’s home by police also allegedly found chemicals wrapped in aluminium foil, which the Crown will argue could be used to produce harmful gases.
She read to the court WhatsApp messages between the defendant and a friend in which they appeared to be discussing bomb-making techniques, and how to access the products necessary to make them, in the months leading up to his arrest.
On April 7, 2024, the defendant allegedly told the friend over WhatsApp: “I have nitrate.”
The following day, he wrote: “I have plans for economically affordable explosives now.”
On April 9, he allegedly sent a series of messages to the same friend saying, “I have an idea. Labour Day march in Brisbane. We strike there.”
‘Unabomber’ inspiration
American domestic terrorist Ted Kaczynski held an anti-technology and anti-capitalist worldview and used explosive devices sent in the mail to murder three people and injure dozens of others.
Ms Flynn told the jury Kaczynski’s core ideology was aimed at “the complete and permanent destruction of modern industrial society in every part of the world” and violence was an acceptable means of achieving it.
She said messages and diary entries by the defendant showed he held sympathetic views towards Kaczynski’s manifesto, and that he had expressed to friends that the “Unabomber was right”.
Ms Flynn will continue her opening address tomorrow before counsel for the accused, Laura Reece KC, will outline the defence’s case.
The trial is expected to last 10 days.
