Fourteen people are under investigation for the display of terrorist symbols after protestors waved Hezbollah flags at a Melbourne rally, with federal police to probe whether tensions about the war in Gaza have increased threats of radicalisation.
Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney said police had executed three search warrants against individuals accused of breaching new anti-terror laws.
Victorian police referred several allegations of potential criminal incidents to the AFP after a small group of protesters were seen waving the flag of the terrorist group Hezbollah during a rally in September.
"About 1,100 hours have been spent investigating this matter, including reviewing 90 hours of CCTV evidence and policy body-worn camera footage and progressing the analysis of information collected during a recent week of action," Mr McCartney said.
It was heard a number of mobile phones were seized as part of the operation, as well as an item of clothing depicting a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol.
"If relevant thresholds are met, the AFP will provide briefs of evidence to the Commonwealth director of public prosecutions to determine if charges will be laid," Mr McCartney told senators.
New federal laws prohibit the display of symbols linked to listed terrorist organisations, including Hezbollah and Hamas.
Under the laws, offences carry a maximum penalty of up to 12 months' imprisonment. They have yet to be tested in court.
Mr McCartney revealed police were investigating whether an escalation in public debate about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East had reached the threshold of "urging violence against groups or advocating terrorism."
He said of the fifteen people charged with counter-terrorism offences this year, eleven were aged 17 years or younger, with many being radicalised online.
"I want to reassure the community that the AFP has not diverted resources from terrorism investigations," he said.
