Terrorism investigators probe Avalon Airport incident, foreign entity links suppressed

The federal police terrorism squad is investigating an incident allegedly involving a teenager on a Jetstar flight earlier this month.

A teenager’s alleged hijack attempt of a Jetstar plane is being investigated as an act of terrorism, a Melbourne court has been told.

At a lengthy suppression hearing in the Children’s Court in Melbourne on Friday, Judge Jack Vandersteen made orders prohibiting the publication of certain details “in the interests of national security”.

The suppression order prohibits publication of the identity of any foreigner or foreign entities that the accused has communicated with or with whom the accused attempted to or intended to communicate.

The 17-year-old accused male faces 12 charges related to the incident at Avalon Airport on March 6.

The teenager was apprehended on-board the plane on March 6. Picture: Channel 7

On that day, police alleged the teen boarded a commercial flight armed with an allegedly stolen shotgun and said “I've got bombs in my bag”.

The 17-year-old legally cannot be named because he is under the age of 18; he was not required to be in court on Friday.

Detailing the Australian Federal Police’s arguments for suppression orders, the AFP’s lawyer said the Joint Counter Terrorism Team was investigating “whether there is a nexus to national security concerns”.

“Disclosing any lines of inquiry could make those dry up,” the AFP lawyer said.

“It is not about information which is sought to be brought against (the accused teenager), it is really about other inquiries being allowed to go unimpeded.”

Avalon Airport is Melbourne’s second domestic airport used mainly by Jetstar. Picture: NewsWire / Aaron Francis

“There is very little information the media can publish about this proceeding.”

The court received one open and one confidential affidavit from AFP Commander Nicholas Read. Commander Read’s statements explain why Australia’s national security, and the proper administration of justice, cannot be protected by any other reasonable means than suppression orders.

After Judge Vandersteen ultimately approved the AFP’s suppression bid for a length of 12 weeks, the criminal case itself was called before the court. The accused teenager was not required to appear for this mention hearing either, and the matter was adjourned to April 16.

According to charge sheets, it’s alleged the teen was armed with a stolen shotgun and a fake homemade explosive when he boarded the plane.

The airport is surrounded by farmland. Picture: Google

He allegedly stated “I’ve got bombs in my bag”, which police claim could reasonably be inferred as an intention to damage the plane or harm the persons aboard.

It’s alleged he stole two 12-gauge shotguns from a property in western Victoria earlier the same day.

The Ballarat boy has been charged with 12 offences, including unlawfully taking control of an aircraft, making a threat to the safety of an aircraft, possessing a fake explosive device and processing a firearm without a licence.

The teenager was allegedly tackled and detained by the pilot and passengers, including a shearer from Echuca, who claimed the boy was dressed as a worker.

After the 17-year-old was detained, police allegedly found two bags and a vehicle belonging to the teenager.

Originally published as Terrorism investigators probe Avalon Airport incident, foreign entity links suppressed