Sydney  - Five Australians who face life in jail if convicted on terrorism charges possessed enough ammunition to fire one of their high-powered rifles non-stop for 38 hours, a court in Sydney was told Friday.

The Muslim men have pleaded not guilty to conspiring to commit acts in preparation for a terrorist act.

The five on trial are among nine men arrested in Sydney in November 2005. At the same time, six Melbourne men were also arrested and also charged with terrorism offences.

The swoop came days after Australia updated its terrorism laws so that cases could be brought against those thought to be plotting a terrorist attack who may not have fixed on a specific target.

The trial is in its fourth day and is expected to last at least six months with more than 500 witnesses to be called. (dpa)