By Kim Stephens
Five Melbourne men accused of trying to flee Australia by boat to join the militant terrorist group Islamic State have been extradited from far north Queensland, where they were arrested last week.
Under tight security, the five so-called "tinnie terrorists" left Cairns airport on an Australian Border Force aircraft on Thursday morning, bound for Victoria.
The men, including Islamic preacher Musa Cerantonio, were arrested by the Australian Federal Police after hatching a bizarre plan to travel to Syria via Indonesia and the Philippines by boat from northern Australia, after their passports were cancelled.
They had been under police surveillance for some time prior to their arrests.
The boat five men allegedly planned to take to Indonesia on their way to fighting with Islamic State.
The group range in age from 21 to 31.
Each has been charged with making preparations for incursion into foreign countries for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities.
They face life imprisonment, if found guilty.
The men left Cairns airport bound for Melbourne at 6.40am Thursday and are expected to go before a Victorian magistrate after they touch down.
All have been remanded in custody.