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A Sydney man who allegedly supports the Islamic State terrorist organisation has been arrested after a NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) investigation.
Police executed search warrants in Chester Hill and Sefton, NSW, yesterday (Friday, 18 June 2021) and arrested a 24-year-old Chester Hill man.
The man has been charged with membership of a terrorist organisation, namely Islamic State, and is expected to face Parramatta Local Court today (19 June 2021).
Yesterday’s arrest follows a seven-month investigation by the NSW JCTT into the man, whom police will allege had pledged allegiance to Islamic State.
Police will further allege the man’s rhetoric online was escalating, that he had collected a large amount of extremist material and he was in possession of several improvised explosive recipes.
Australian Federal Police Commander Counter Terrorism Investigations Stephen Dametto said the priority of the NSW JCTT investigators was to prevent any harm to the community.
“The actions of this man do not represent the Islamic faith. His actions are criminal and they represent hatred and terror,” Commander Dametto said.
“We will allege in court that this man was a member of ISIS and it shows there are still those in the community that seek to do us harm. The items found show that this individual posed a significant risk to the Australian community and we will act early to ensure safety of the Australian people”.
“This investigation shows that the influence of IS remains an enduring threat and it maintains the ability to inspire and radicalise individuals in Australia”
“The actions taken yesterday highlight the great partnership and commitment of the NSW Police, the AFP, NSW Crime Commission and ASIO in working together to keep the NSW and Australian community safe.”
NSWPF Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Michael McLean, commended the dedication of NSW JCTT investigators to the safety of the people of NSW.
“Yesterday’s arrest is a great example of the strength of the partnerships and collaboration in Australia’s counter terrorism framework,” Acting Assistant Commissioner McLean said.
“The NSW JCTT works cooperatively and diligently to act in response to those who choose to follow an extremist ideology that is not compatible with the diverse, inclusive values of the community.
“Our greatest asset in combating terrorism is our community. You are our eyes and ears and we need you to continue to work with us to help us to keep everyone safe.”
The man has been charged with membership of a terrorist organisation, 102.3(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth), punishable by imprisonment for 10 years.
The NSW JCTT is comprised of members from the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police Force, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission.
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you may think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.
There is no ongoing threat to the community relating to this investigation.

Businesses in the Sydney CBD heavily impacted by the pandemic will benefit from a new $50 million stimulus program that will offer 500,000 NSW residents four $25 vouchers for use towards dining and entertainment experiences.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the vouchers, which can only be used on Fridays, will boost the city economy, support jobs and bring fizz back to Friday in the city.
“We have listened to businesses and know that it’s time to make Fridays fun again and ensure the Sydney CBD doesn’t just survive but thrives,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This will be a targeted program designed to get more people back into the heart of the greatest city on earth and on the way through spend a little extra on retail and services businesses.
“It’s about making Friday’s fantastic and fun and at the same time helping the Sydney CBD which has been hit hardest by COVID with a reduction in CBD workers and the absence of overseas visitors for more than a year.”
Short term arrivals to NSW in April sat at just under 11,000 – a 96 per cent decrease on pre-pandemic averages of around 234,000 per month.
Minister for Digital and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the program, which is expected to go live before Summer, will again be delivered via the Service NSW app.
“The ‘TGIF’ voucher scheme will be a boon for businesses across the Sydney CBD. It will also be seamless for customers to access and use the vouchers, as there will be no need for them to re-prove their identity if they have already downloaded their Dine & Discover vouchers. Furthermore, there will no restriction on customers using multiple $25 vouchers for one meal or discover activity,” Mr Dominello said.
“The Service NSW app is fast becoming the backbone of our state’s digital service delivery. Mass adoption of the app enables us to switch on new digital programs, like the ‘TGIF’ vouchers, in a way that few Governments around the world are capable of doing.
“The program will be inclusive, with a non-digital option available to customers without a smartphone.”
Eligible businesses must be physically located within postcode 2000.
Similar to Dine & Discover, the program will be open to businesses in the dining and entertainment industries.

• Customers will need to be aged 18 and over and will require a MyServiceNSW account;
• Only one set of vouchers will be issued per person. Each individual voucher can only be used once, and vouchers can only be redeemed on Fridays;
• The vouchers can be added together for a single purchase up to $100;
• The vouchers cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco or gambling;
• The same eligibility criteria will apply for these vouchers as for Dine & Discover;
• Registration will be available through all Service NSW channels;
• Further details, including how customers can register their interest for the program, will be released soon.

The NSW Government will direct $28 million into research and development and promoting new and emerging industries and technology to better prepare the state for future bushfires.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Bushfire Response R&D Mission will receive $7 million per year for the next four years as part of this year’s 2021-22 NSW Budget to be handed down next week.
“The 2019-20 bushfires claimed lives, destroyed thousands of homes and cost NSW billions, this investment will go towards reducing the impact of bushfires and responding in the most effective way possible,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This focus on new technology to enhance planning, preparation and response will save jobs when a disaster strikes and boost jobs in new industries.
“NSW is unfortunately one of the world’s bushfire hotspots, so it makes sense that we should package our hard won know-how and take it to the world.”
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier Gabrielle Upton said the establishment of R&D Missions will address long-term strategic challenges facing NSW, and was a priority action of the “Turning Ideas into Jobs – Accelerating Research & Development in NSW Action Plan” launched in January 2021 by Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
“R&D Missions tackle complex challenges that require the integration and translation of research and technology across government agencies,” Ms Upton said.
“This funding will help establish a Bushfire Technology Network, engage NSW small business to develop and commercialise bushfire technologies and ensure that new technologies are tested by frontline NSW bushfire services.”
The funding will also help address a number of recommendations from the NSW Bushfire inquiry such as establishing NSW as a major world centre for bush fire research, and technology development and commercialisation.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the NSW Government has committed to acting on the lessons learnt from the 2019-20 bush fires.
“Bush fire research is a key recommendation of the independent NSW Bushfire Inquiry and is crucial to ensuring that our emergency services can continue to have the best training and technology that will keep our state safe,” Mr Elliott said.
“The continued investment into research goes hand-in-hand with the NSW Government’s record budget for Emergency Services and continued investment into initiatives that address recommendations from the Bushfire Inquiry.”
Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, said the Bushfire Response Mission will have a strong focus on technology.
“The Mission will develop the use of real-time data from space, air and ground-based assets, ensure fire ground decisions made are based on information and computer-aided tools, and enable the use of equipment including robots to aid responders,” Mr Durrant-Whyte said.
“Technologies from NSW companies which prove themselves will attract interest from global markets.”
Chair of the Advisory Council David Gonski AC welcomed the Bushfire Response Mission launch.
“The impact of COVID-19 on economic growth makes the task to commercialise more R&D an urgent one,” Mr Gonski said.
“Focusing the commercialisation of technologies on solving one of our state’s greatest challenges is an excellent step in bringing together and promoting the relevant research and development efforts of the business, research sectors and communities across NSW.”
The NSW Government has committed a further $8 million in funding over two years to establish an Emerging Industry Infrastructure Fund.
This fund will target new industries where NSW potentially has a comparative advantage and where co-investment in joint infrastructure will both build on existing industry and attract global companies and investment into NSW.
Potential investments include the development of sovereign semiconductor production capabilities and the consolidation of NSW’s leading position in synthetic biology.