A 45-year-old man from the Mid North Coast has been charged over alleged online posts threatening federal parliamentarians.
Australian Federal Police allege the man made a series of offensive social media posts in March, including one containing alleged death threats directed at two parliamentarians.
The AFP’s National Security Investigations team linked the man to the posts before executing a search warrant at a property in Bellingen on 29 April, where officers seized an electronic device.
The man has been charged with four counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, one count of threatening to cause harm to a Commonwealth public official, and one count of using a carriage service (phone or internet) to make a threat to kill.
The offences carry maximum penalties of five, seven and 10 years’ imprisonment respectively.
He appeared before the NSW Bail Division Court on 30 April and was granted bail, with the matter due to be heard at Coffs Harbour Local Court on 13 May.
AFP Detective Superintendent Jeremy Staunton said threats made online would be taken seriously.
“No one, regardless of their profession, should be subjected to online death threats or content that seeks to harass or threaten them,” he said.
“The AFP’s NSI teams are committed to identifying and disrupting behaviour that threatens our democracy and poses a potential risk to the community.”
The AFP established dedicated National Security Investigations teams in October 2025 to target individuals and groups engaging in harmful online behaviour, including threats against federal parliamentarians.
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