Teen acquitted of plotting terror attack on Peter Dutton

The teen, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, stood trial in the Supreme Court in Brisbane after pleading not guilty to one count of carrying out acts in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act. The family of the teen, now aged 17, reacted with emotion when the verdict was read.

The boy was about to turn 16 when he allegedly purchased nails, metal pipes, and ingredients for explosives in July 2024. The trial presented text messages, online posts, and diary entries detailing the teen's fixation on infamous terrorists. He reportedly texted a friend about a fictional terrorist attack and wrote in his diary about an "autistic interest in bombs."

Defence barrister Laura Reece told the jury the teen had engaged in "clearly dangerous experimentation" with household chemicals. She argued he was telling an "edgy joke" when he texted about bombing Brisbane’s Labour Day parade, which typically attracts 20,000 people. Reece stated the teen was a "troubled kid" experimenting with ideas and beliefs, influenced by his parents' separation and seeking extremist material from contradictory online sources.

Crown prosecutor Sally Flynn had alleged the planned bombing campaign aimed to highlight the argument that humanity was worse off with modern industries and technology. The court heard the teen used his iPhone and laptop to search for "where is Peter Dutton located," with the alleged intention to use bombings to oppose the Liberal party's policy on nuclear power stations. When a friend asked who he was trying to kill, the teen reportedly replied, "Members of the Liberal party."