Qld man accused of plotting Bundy terror attack

A Bundaberg man charged with terrorism offence after police allegedly found evidence of plans for “violent extremism” has been named.

A Kepnock man charged with a terrorism offence following a Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team operation involving the Australian Federal Police and Queensland Police Service has been named.

Police will allege 29-year-old James Michael Waugh was planning to undertake a terrorist act in the Bundaberg region and had sought firearms training on September 3.

According to Federal and Queensland police, Waugh first caused concern after he allegedly made threats towards a member of the public, prompting a search warrant to be executed on his property on November 3.

James Michael Waugh, 29, of Kepnock. Picture: Supplied

A number of electronic devices and a notebook were seized by police at the address for evidentiary purposes. It will be alleged the electronic devices contained documents indicating a desire to undertake acts of violent extremism.

Waugh, who is facing one count of acts done in preparation for, or planning, terrorist acts following a Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team (QLD JCTT) investigation, was remanded in custody after his matter was heard in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today.

“That’s a really serious allegation,” Magistrate Zac Sarra said.
Waugh’s lawyer did not require him to be brought into the courtroom and he did not apply for bail when the terrorism charge was mentioned.
Waugh’s mother, Karina Anderson, was at the court but left before her son’s case was mentioned after speaking to his lawyer.
She said on Facebook that she felt “broken” after hearing her son had been charged.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, with Waugh’s case is scheduled to return to court again next Friday.

Karina Anderson, mother of Queensland man James Waugh, - who is charged with plotting a Bundaberg terror attack - and her husband Matt Anderson leave Roma Street Magistrate Court in Brisbane today. Picture: Attila Csaszar

Talking about the arrest this morning, AFP Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Scott Lee said the arrest came because they were worried about the community’s safety.

“The decision to charge this man was made to prevent a terrorist attack in Australia and to protect the community,” Assistant Commissioner Lee said.

The words were echoed by QPS Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon who said this was an example of partner agencies working together to keep the community safe.

“This outcome is a credit to their hard work and commitment to community safety,” Assistant Commissioner Scanlon said.

Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the charges were “incredibly serious” and paid tribute to the Queensland Police, the Australian Federal Police and ASIO for the arrest.

“They have worked quickly and collaboratively to make sure that public safety remains the primary factor here,” she said.

“There’s always that risk (of terrorism) but that’s why we have great counter-terrorism personnel working hard on the ground to make sure these arrests take place and the public are safe.”