Ideological attack or deluded defence? Wieambilla ‘terrorism’ label questioned

“They were waiting. They initiated. It was inherently an offensive act,” stated Associate Professor Josh Roose from the witness box.

The extremism, religion and violence expert’s staccato summary of Gareth, Nathaniel and Stacey Train’s actions came during an at-times heated cross-examination at the Wieambilla coronial inquest over the classification of the attack as an act of terrorism.

Three weeks into the Queensland state coroner’s inquest into the deaths of six people after a stand-off at a remote property on December 12, 2022, the focus has turned to the profiles and motivations of the Train trio.