Queensland terror accused denied bail as Premier urges ‘vigilance’

A Brisbane man accused of helping fund a Syria-based extremist group has been denied bail, as Queensland goes into a “hyper-vigilant state” amid fears of domestic terrorism.

Thirty-one-year-old Omar Succarieh's bail application in the Brisbane Supreme Court was dismissed today, partly because he was considered a flight risk.

Justice David Jackson said he had to regard statements Mr Succarieh allegedly made earlier this month that he intended to leave Australia to avoid arrest.

The judge said Mr Succarieh had also failed to prove his was an exceptional case, which was a requirement under the law in order to be granted bail.

His court appearance followed a string of anti-terrorism raids across NSW and Queensland, promoting Queensland Premier Campbell Newman to urge vigilance.

“You do need to be aware that there a small number of people who may wish to do us harm,” he said.

“We need to be vigilant, patient and understanding.”

“There will be additional security measures around our state particularly in south-east Queensland.”

Mr Newman said there were no arrests in the pre-dawn raids across greater Brisbane this morning but had asked police to ramp up security at government buildings, cultural centres and mosques.

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said a range of security measures had been put in place as a result of the security advice that triggered the AFP raids.

“We can’t do this job by ourselves,” he said.

“There is no intelligence currently at hand to suggest a terrorist attack is imminent.”

Mr Stewart urged the public to “assist us at this time of great peril” and said that authorities needed to be prepared for anything.

“We need every Australian to stand up for what’s right,” he said.

Mr Newman urged Queenslanders not to “poison the relationships” and to continue to be supportive and tolerant of each other.

“We are a wonderful, multi-cultural and harmonious community,” he said.

“If anyone uses the incidents to vilify or discriminate any group, race or religion, they are playing into the hands of terrorists.

“That is actually helping these terrorists achieve what they want to achieve.”