An Australian man has been arrested by Australian Federal Police in a counter-terror operation in the NSW town of Young for allegedly advising Islamic State on how to develop "high-tech weapons capability".
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday said the 42-year-old man was arrested in Young in relation to terrorism offences which didn't relate to any planned domestic attack.
"Police will allege that this individual, in a regional centre, acted with intent to provide ISIL (Islamic State) with the capability, with the technical capability, and high-tech capability, to detect and develop missiles," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Canberra.
"This highlights that terrorism, support for terrorist groups, and Islamist extremism is not limited to our major cities."
Mr Turnbull said the incident was "yet another reminder of the enduring threat we face from Islamist terrorism".
Mr Turnbull said security and police agencies had once again done their job but those authorities relied upon good intelligence from the community.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the arrest was the result of an 18-month investigation.
The 42-year-old was an Australian-born citizen who'd been working as an electrician, authorities said.
AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said the man will be charged with a number of offences which include two serious foreign incursion offences under the Commonwealth Criminal Code, which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment."With these offences, we will allege that he has utilised the internet to perform services for ISIL, activities in the Syria and Iraq conflict, from Australia in the following ways.
"Firstly, by researching and designing a laser warning device to help warn against incoming guided munitions used by coalition forces in Syria and Iraq. And secondly, we will also allege that he has been researching, designing and modelling systems to assist ISIL's efforts to develop their own long-range guided missile capabilities."
It's expected the man will appear in Young Local Court later on Tuesday.
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