Aspiring NSW terrorist 'would shoot baby'

A young would-be terrorist who said he "wouldn't buckle" at firing at a young baby is due to be sentenced at a Sydney court in coming weeks.

Tamim Khaja, 20, who's pleaded guilty to preparing for or planning a terrorist act, had begun to scope out potential target buildings in Sydney including the Parramatta District Court precinct and Timor Army Barracks.

A statement of facts tendered to the NSW Supreme Court at Parramatta on Friday included comments he made to two undercover police officers and on an encrypted messaging app.

"For an attack like this is taken in Australia akhi (brother), it would weaken the Australian government so much."

Later Khaja said he would keep in mind that "it's happening for the sake of Allah" if anyone gets in his way.

"I'm not going to stop firing wallahi (I swear to Allah)," the message said.

"If there's like a two-month-old baby, or someone holding a baby, I'm just trying to think if that's true, I wouldn't buckle in that situation akhi."

Khaja's barrister, Ian Temby QC, conceded his client would receive a substantial term of imprisonment, but submitted he had strong family support and had expressed remorse through his guilty plea.

"It needs to be remembered he was, and is, both young and impressionable," he said.

Khaja will be sentenced on March 2.