A 27-year-old Sydney man accused of making an online threat calling for the kidnapping of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been granted bail under strict conditions, as authorities warn of an increasingly volatile security environment following the deadly Bondi Beach attack.
The Beacon Hill resident appeared in Manly Local Court after being charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with using a carriage service to threaten serious harm and failing to comply with an order to provide access to electronic devices.
Police allege the threat was made on social media over several days late last week.
Investigators from the AFP’s National Security Investigations (NSI) team traced the alleged online post to the man and executed a search warrant at his northern beaches home on Sunday evening, seizing a number of electronic devices for forensic examination.
An AFP spokesperson said it will be alleged the accused made an online post calling for the kidnapping of a federal parliamentarian. While police statements initially withheld the identity of the target, court documents indicate the threat was directed at PM Albanese.
It is reported that magistrate Ian Guy granted the man bail under a range of strict conditions aimed at limiting any further risk. These include prohibitions on contacting any members of Parliament or their offices, surrendering his passport, observing a curfew, limiting access to electronic devices, and reporting regularly to police. He is also barred from using encrypted applications, must abstain from drugs and alcohol unless prescribed, and comply with medical directions, including attending a general practitioner if required.
The charges carry significant penalties, with the offence of using a carriage service to threaten serious harm punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment, and the alleged failure to comply with an electronic access order carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years. The matter has been adjourned until March next year.
The case is one of the most prominent matters so far involving the AFP’s NSI teams, which were established in September to target individuals and groups assessed as causing high levels of harm to Australia’s social cohesion, including threats against elected representatives.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that online rhetoric fuelled by grievance and extremist ideology can escalate rapidly into real-world threats or violence.
PM Albanese said Australians must be able to disagree without resorting to abuse or threats, warning that rising hostility risks undermining democratic norms. He said recent charges laid over threats against public figures were deeply concerning and highlighted the need to lower the temperature of political discourse.
The Federal Government has also signalled a tougher stance on hate-related offences in the wake of the Bondi tragedy, including stepped-up visa cancellations and deportations for non-citizens involved in extremist activity, and plans to establish a National Hate Crimes and Incidents Database.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
