Vic accused had interest in bombs: court

A man accused of using an al-Qaeda magazine to prepare for a terror attack said he wanted to do something "much bigger" after he displayed anti-West banners, a Victorian court has heard.

Adnan Karabegovic was covertly recorded early in 2012 saying he wanted to "make a plan and stick to it" and his intention was "much bigger than what he had done", the Crown says.

The recording was made after he and two friends unfurled a banner from a Monash freeway overpass that said: "Get all troops out of Muslim lands" on January 27, 2012, prosecutors say.

He and his friends also allegedly hung a banner from a Telstra exchange tower that said "Get all troops out of Muslim lands, you dirty convict pigs".

Karabegovic, from Officer, is on trial in the Victorian Supreme Court after he pleaded not guilty to possessing material connected with assistance in a terrorist act.

The Crown alleges he had a copy of the ninth edition of the al-Qaeda magazine, Inspire, which included an article about using a bomb to ignite a bushfire in Australia.

Prosecutor Jeremy Rapke QC said Karabegovic was also recorded having a conversation with his brother on May 18 that shows his familiarity with that edition of the al-Qaeda magazine.

Mr Rapke alleges the conversation "at the very least" demonstrates Karabegovic's interest in making bombs in Australia, and his familiarity with Inspire.

The edition of the magazine Karabegovic allegedly possessed contained information on how to make petrol bombs to start bushfires in Australia, Mr Rapke said.

It also has instructions about how to choose a target.

"It says the most important result is the spread of terror," Mr Rapke told the court.

"The manifesto of Inspire is unashamedly the promotion of terrorism, particularly in Western countries."

Defence barrister Julian McMahon said it was not prohibited to possess a copy of the magazine.

"My client denies the possession of the magazine in the assistance of a terrorist act," Mr McMahon said.

"He denies that a terrorist act was contemplated.

"He denies that there were activities underway.

"All those central allegations are denied."

The trial before Justice John Dixon will continue on Tuesday.