Accused right-wing extremist allegedly targeted Melbourne landmarks, created terror handbook
A right-wing extremist accused of planning an anti-Muslim attack created a “Patriot’s Cookbook” designed to inspire “thousands” of future terror acts in a crusade against left-wing ideology, a court has heard.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Trades Hall and other Melbourne buildings were the targets of an accused terrorist’s crusade against left-wing ideology, a court has heard.
Phillip Michael Galea, 34, is on trial in the Supreme Court charged with plotting an attack in a bid to reduce the influence of left-wing ideology and Australian Muslims.
Opening the Crown case today prosecutor Richard Maidment, QC, said at the time of his arrest Mr Galea was preparing a manual called the Patriot’s Cookbook he hoped would spark thousands of other terror acts.
“He did so with the intention and belief that when he distributed that book … it would lead to a number of violent acts in the nature of terrorist acts,” Mr Maidment said.
“At one stage he said to a colleague that it would lead to thousands upon thousands of terrorist acts,” he said.
The court heard Mr Galea was motivated by a fear that left wing ideology and Muslims posed “an existential threat to patriotic Australians”.
He has pleaded not guilty to single counts each of preparing for, or planning a terrorist act, and attempting to make a document likely to facilitate a terrorist act.
Mr Maidment told the 14 person jury there was evidence Mr Galea was planning an attack and had researched Trades Hall, The Melbourne Anarchist Club in Northcote, and The Resistance Centre on Swanston St.
He said Mr Galea had also tried to recruit people to participate in attacks.
The court heard the action, or threat of action, was to be done with the intention of advancing a political, religious, or ideological cause.
“Between late August 2015 and 6 August 2016 when he was arrested, the accused set out to prepare for violent attacks against particular buildings and people associated with the left wing of the political spectrum and Muslims,” Mr Maidment said.
“He apparently believed that the left wing and Muslims posed an existential threat to patriotic Australians,” he said.
MORE NEWS
BEAMING JACK ASTON WALKS FREE FROM PRISON
JUDGE’S TEARS AS FATAL BABY SHAKER SENTENCED
SHANNON BENNETT’S TERRIBLE YEAR JUST GOT WORSE
Prosecutors will rely on telephone intercepts, and online conversations between Mr Galea and associates, during the trial.
The trial, before Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth, continues.