Stoush 'hindered Anzac terror plot inquiry'

Victoria's state coroner initially withheld intelligence information relating to an alleged Anzac Day terror plot, reports say.

(Dave Thompson/PA) Source: Press Association

A counterterrorism operation to stop an alleged murder plot on Anzac Day events in Melbourne was nearly held up by red tape, according to reports.

Victorian police launched pre-dawn raids in the city's southeast on Saturday, arresting five teenagers, two of whom they allege were planning Islamic State-inspired attacks on Anzac Day.

Police say all five men were linked to Numan Haider, a teenager who was shot dead during a knife attack on two police officers outside a Melbourne police station last year.

John Olle, the Victorian coroner overseeing an inquest into Haider's death, reportedly refused to allow homicide detectives investigating the shooting to share information with police monitoring the activities of radicalised teenagers living in Melbourne.

Mr Olle was adamant that if sensitive information was shared with other police it could pollute his inquest, News Corp Australia reports.

The dispute was eventually resolved after Victoria Police threatened to take Supreme Court action against the coroner.

A Victoria Police spokesman said they remained concerned that current legislation did not prioritise national security over coronial inquests.