A 55-year-old Western Sydney man has been refused bail after allegedly making multiple threats to kill a federal parliamentarian.
The Macquarie Fields man appeared before Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday following his arrest by the Australian Federal Police’s National Security Investigations (NSI) team.
AFP Detective Superintendent Jeremy Staunton said threats directed at elected officials would be treated with the utmost seriousness. “The AFP supports freedom of speech and political expression, but criminal behaviour and threats to kill will never be tolerated,” he 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.”
Police allege the man made a number of threatening phone calls to the parliamentarian’s office earlier this month. He was charged with two counts of using a carriage service to make a threat to kill, offences which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
During a search of his home, investigators allegedly seized three gel blasters — including a shotgun-style model and two handgun-style devices — three slingshot mounts and a pair of metal handcuffs. Electronic devices were also taken for forensic examination.
In addition to the Commonwealth charges, the man faces three counts of possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm under NSW law and one count of possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit.
He was refused bail and is due to reappear before the same court on 4 March 2026.
The AFP established dedicated NSI teams in September 2025 to investigate individuals and groups accused of causing significant harm to Australia’s social cohesion, including those targeting federal parliamentarians.
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