A MELBOURNE man charged with foreign incursion offences had allegedly gone to Ukraine for military training and planned to travel to West Papua as an "invited" mercenary, a court has heard.
Gerard Michael Little, 45, was refused bail in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with committing preparatory acts for incursion into foreign states and training or performing drills in preparation for incursion.
Defence solicitor Nick Dore made an application for bail on Little's behalf, which was opposed by Commonwealth prosecutor Justin Williams.
It is alleged Little intended to travel to the war-torn territory of West Papua and fight against the Indonesian government as a mercenary and used Facebook to garner support for his cause.
Mr Dore argued his client had been preparing to enter West Papua lawfully and provide a service on invitation.
"There's a big difference between someone entering a country on a mercenary basis uninvited - like someone in a Hollywood movie - you Honour, and someone who is lawfully invited to attend," he said.
He said Little lived in Melbourne but visited Toowoomba to see his sick elderly father, a daughter with cancer, 21, and granddaughter, 4.
Mr Dore said Little was unemployed on a disability pension.
He said his client travelled to Ukraine to train with a non-government UN-sanctioned training organisation.
Mr Williams argued Little told police in 2003 he didn't believe in Australia's sovereignty and was a risk of flight, approaching witnesses and re-offending if granted bail.
He said Little posted comments on Facebook that supported his cause and stated his intention to travel to West Papua, but would not disclose what they were.
Federal agents also relied on a letter found on Little's laptop that stated he intended to go overseas, Mr Williams said.
He argued they were proof Little intended to travel to the region and "engage in hostile services and violence" using the training he'd undertaken in Ukraine.
Magistrate Jacqui Payne retired to read material tendered to the court, including an objection to bail affidavit and statement of facts alleged by the Australian Federal Police.
She refused the bail application, noting it was serious and Little had clearly demonstrated "an intention to participate in violent conflict against the Indonesian government".
She said his offending lacked sophistication.
Little appeared relaxed as he rested his head against the back wall of the prisoner's dock; barefoot and wearing jeans and a white jumper over his small but sinewy frame.
Little's arrest at the Brisbane International Airport yesterday came after six search warrants were executed as part of a joint operation in Queensland and Victoria yesterday.
He had been about to board a flight to West Papua when he was arrested.
Two searches were conducted in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, and six more in the Victorian suburbs of Caulfield South, Caulfield, East Bentleigh and Tynong North.
The maximum penalty for the offence is 10 years imprisonment.
Little will reappear in court for committal call-over on January 18.
Earlier, it was reported that a 45-year-old Victorian man was arrested after Australian Federal Police, with the aid of Victorian and Queensland police, searched properties in both states on Tuesday.
"It will be alleged in court that the man travelled overseas to participate in training to assist in the participation of hostile activity offshore," the three police forces said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
An AFP spokesman told AAP it was incorrect to say the man was facing terrorism-related charges.
He said the AFP would not be revealing where the training allegedly occurred, nor the conflict the man allegedly intended to join, but said details would likely be revealed in court.
Six search warrants were executed yesterday in the Victorian suburbs of Caulfield South, Caulfield, East Bentleigh and Tynong North by the AFP and Victoria Police.
Two search warrants were also executed at Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.
The man has been charged with making preparations for incursions into foreign states for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities, contrary to Section 7 of the Crimes (Foreign Incursions and Recruitment) Act 1978.
The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years imprisonment.
Investigations into the matter are continuing.
"Members of the public are encouraged to call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400 if they have information they believe may be linked to this investigation," the statement said.
The man's lawyer Nick Dore says his client will likely apply for bail.
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