A Barnawartha man will remain in custody after allegedly being caught with videos showing him engaged in sexual activity with Filipino children.
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Phillip John Cooper, 59, was arrested by officers from the Australian Border Force at Melbourne Airport late last week after allegedly procuring a child to engage in sexual activity outside of Australia.
A check of his bags and devices allegedly found multiple sexualised conversations on his phone, which included asking for the ages of girls.
The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police, who arrested and charged the 59-year-old.
His rural property at Barnawartha was searched and more electronic items seized by officers.
Sadly there is an appetite for the abuse of vulnerable children by Australian citizens which has devastating impacts
- Marina Simoncini
Police allegedly found videos showing the man engaged in sexual acts with children.
Cooper fronted the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday and was remanded in custody.
He did not apply for release on bail.
The 59-year-old will return to the court on February 28 next year for a committal mention.
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The matter is being investigated by the Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team, which includes Victorian police members and federal officers.
AFP acting child protection manager Marina Simoncini said the arrest showed the importance of agencies working together on such cases.
Ms Simoncini said child abuse material harmed the most vulnerable people.
"Sadly there is an appetite for the abuse of vulnerable children by Australian citizens which has devastating impacts," she said.
"The AFP will continue to work collaboratively with our partners here and overseas to target the producers and distributors of child abuse material, who are contributing to an abhorrent industry harming the most vulnerable in our communities."
Victorian Detective Acting Inspector Karen Bennett said such offending had "considerable" impact on children, their families and the wider community.
"These crimes see people using significant established networks to share child abuse material and take advantage of vulnerable children," she said.
"They have devastating impacts for victims and the wider community.
"Victoria Police will continue working closely with partner agencies to address this considerable issue both in Australia and overseas.
"We will continue to develop and employ various investigative techniques which allow us to target people actively grooming and attempting to procure children, and accessing child abuse material."