CANBERRA, ACT, April 17 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release:
A Bligh Park man is scheduled to appear in Penrith Local Court on 5 June, 2026, charged with allegedly sending a threatening message online to a federal parliamentarian.
The AFP began an investigation in March, 2026, after receiving notification of an online threat to kill a parliamentarian.
AFP National Security Investigations (NSI) officers allege the man, 20, sent the threat.
Police subsequently executed a search warrant at a home in Bligh Park yesterday (16 April, 2026).
Today, (17 April, 2026) the man was issued with a court attendance notice to face two counts of using a telecommunications service to menace, harass or cause offence, contrary to section 474.17(1) of theCriminal Code(Cth).
This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective acting Inspector Chris Campbell said the AFP took threats or menacing behaviour towards elected officials very seriously.
"Public officials, like anyone else in Australia, have the right to conduct their duties without receiving threats or abusive messages," a/Insp Campbell said.
"Hiding behind a keyboard or phone does not mean you are anonymous and out of the AFP's reach - we have the resources and technology to find you and bring you before the courts."
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett announced the establishment of NSI teams inOctober,2025, to target groups and individuals causinghigh levelsof harm to Australia's social cohesion, including the targeting of the federal parliamentarians.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
