Teen accused of planning terror attack on Peter Dutton and Brisbane march was making ‘edgy joke’, court told

A teenager accused of planning a terrorist act, including a nail bombing campaign, was either a "troubled kid" making "edgy jokes" or a "determined terrorist in waiting," the Brisbane supreme court heard this week. The defense barrister argued the teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, was the former, while the crown prosecutor contended he was serious when he wrote of copying US domestic terrorists. The trial, which concluded this week, saw the teenager plead not guilty to one count of acts done in preparation for or planning a terrorist act. The specific target mentioned was Australian politician Peter Dutton and a Brisbane march. The defense emphasized the teenager's age and mental state, suggesting his writings were not indicative of genuine intent to commit violence. The prosecution, however, presented evidence suggesting a deliberate plan, drawing parallels to past extremist actions. The outcome of the trial remains pending.