'Conspiracy against patriot movement': Man charged with planning terror faces Melbourne court

A man accused of preparing a terrorist act has told a Melbourne court he believes the charges are a "conspiracy against the patriot movement".

Phillip Galea, 31, did not apply for bail during his brief appearance in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court this afternoon.

Galea has links with the anti-Islamic Reclaim Australia "movement", as well as one of its offshoots, the True Blue Crew.

Those groups have staged various demonstrations and counter-demonstrations in recent months, several of which have been marred by violence.

Australian Federal Police and Victorian Police conducted a series of counter-terrorism raids yesterday afternoon. (9NEWS)

According to observers, Galea has been involved with anti-Islam action since 2010, and is known to be an associate of Neil Erikson, a former neo Nazi who has since thrown his weight behind the so-called patriot movement popularised in recent years by the likes of Shermon Burgess.

Victoria's Joint Counter Terrorism Team arrested Galea in Baybrook on Saturday, after a series of terror raids were conducted across the state.

(9NEWS)

He has been charged with collecting or making documents likely to facilitate a terrorist act and planning or preparing for a terrorist act.

"I will be fighting these charges and I believe they are a conspiracy against the patriot movement," Galea told Magistrate Robert Kumar.

He has been remanded in custody to next appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 9.

With AAP.

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