Two men from the Far North Coast have been hit with serious charges over separate online threats, in a fortnight that has put a spotlight on extremist and menacing behaviour on social media in the region.
A 53-year-old Woolgoolga man has been charged after allegedly posting offensive and threatening material about a federal parliamentarian, while a 20-year-old Ocean Shores man has been charged with advocating terrorism after investigators allegedly uncovered violent extremist material, weapons and ammunition at his home.
Woolgoolga man charged over posts targeting MP
The AFP’s National Security Investigations team launched an investigation in June after receiving a report of offensive and threatening social media posts. Investigators linked the posts to an account allegedly operated by the Woolgoolga man.
A search warrant was executed at a Woolgoolga address on 9 July, with police seizing a mobile phone for forensic examination.
The man was charged with one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. He was granted police bail and is due to appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on 4 September.
AFP Acting Inspector Zoe Smith said no one, including public officials, should have to put up with threatening posts online.
“People should not assume they can use social media to target, harass or intimidate others without consequence,” a/Insp Smith said.
“The internet is not an anonymous space. The AFP has the means to identify those responsible and ensure they are brought before the courts.”
The charge follows AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett’s announcement in October last year of dedicated National Security Investigations teams to target individuals and groups causing harm to Australia’s social cohesion, including the targeting of federal parliamentarians.
Ocean Shores man charged with advocating terrorism
In a separate case, a 20-year-old Ocean Shores man appeared before the NSW Bail Division Court on Wednesday charged with advocating terrorism, following an investigation by the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team, made up of the AFP, NSW Police, ASIO and the NSW Crime Commission.
The investigation began after concerning online posts, allegedly promoting racially motivated and violent extremist ideology, were reported to police. Investigators allege the man is linked to the posts and executed a search warrant at his Ocean Shores home on Tuesday, seizing a mobile phone.
Examination of the phone allegedly uncovered material advocating for acts of terrorism, as well as suspected violent extremist material. Investigators also allegedly found a number of weapons and ammunition at the property.
The man faces four charges: advocating terrorism, which carries a maximum seven years’ imprisonment; using a carriage service for violent extremist material, carrying a maximum five years; possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, carrying a maximum 14 years; and possessing ammunition without a licence, carrying a maximum penalty of 50 penalty units.
He was refused bail and will next appear before Tweed Heads Local Court on 18 September.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Peter Crozier said the AFP and its partners remained focused on identifying and disrupting individuals whose online activity threatened community safety.
“The AFP takes all reports of extremist or violent behaviour seriously and will investigate information that suggests a person may be encouraging, supporting or planning acts of violence,” Assistant Commissioner Crozier said.
“Working alongside our partners in the NSW JCTT, we are focused on detecting potential threats early and taking appropriate action to reduce the risk of harm to the Australian community.”
NSW Police Force Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Commander, Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker, said there was no place in the community for violent or extremist behaviour.
“Any person who commits, promotes, or threatens to commit an act motivated by extremist ideologies poses a risk to the broader public and hate fuelled behaviours will not be tolerated,” Assistant Commissioner McCusker said.
Both Assistant Commissioner Crozier and Assistant Commissioner McCusker urged anyone with information about suspicious or concerning online behaviour to contact police, either through the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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