By Adam Cooper
A man accused of planning deadly bombing attacks on left-wing targets ordered an ingredient for use in explosive devices and was compiling a right-wing version of The Anarchist Cookbook, according to court documents.
Phillip Michael Galea, 31, was arrested by counter-terrorism police in August and charged with two terrorism offences.
On Monday he appeared via video link before Melbourne Magistrates Court, which was told he was now being kept at the Thomas Embling psychiatric hospital.
According to documents released by the court, Galea this year told associates from right-wing and anti-Islam groups of plans he devised to bomb left-wing targets.
On April 1, the papers say, he met with an associate and detailed plans to "attack two locations, both being premises aligned with the political left wing".
The locations are not named in a prosecution summary released by the court.
"Galea outlined his intentions were to cause as much devastation to these locations as possible in a team co-ordinated attack, using smoke bombs and improvised explosive devices," the summary says.
"Loss of life to persons possessing left-wing ideologies was the focus of the attack.
"Galea's plans were to recruit at least five other capable persons to assist with his plan."
Prosecutors allege Mr Galea conducted reconnaissance on his intended targets, was trying to recruit people to help him fulfil his plans and gave one associate an internal map of a building he had targeted.
Mr Galea has in the past year had links with the right-wing group Reclaim Australia, neo-Nazi association Combat 18, the Patriots Defence League Australia and the True Blue Crew, according to the court documents.
In September last year, prosecutors allege, Mr Galea ordered three kilograms of potassium nitrate, which can be used in the manufacture of smoke bombs and is among the ingredients listed in The Anarchist Cookbook.
It is alleged he has used the notorious book and his own research as the basis for compiling the "Patriot's Cookbook", which police say is a right-wing version of The Anarchist Cookbook.
Mr Galea was found in possession of a flare and a knife at separate anti-Islam rallies, the court has heard previously, while police found a quantity of mercury – which can be used in bombs – and Tasers during a raid.
He is charged with preparing for a terrorist act and collecting and making documents connected with the preparation of a terrorist act.
Defence counsel Allan McMonnies told the court on Monday his client was moved to the Thomas Embling Hospital last week and needed further mental-health assessment.
At one point Galea told magistrate Peter Reardon: "Your Honour, I am not and never have been suffering from a mental illness."
Mr Reardon remanded Galea in custody to return to court in December.