A man, Dale Byrne, aged 42, has appeared in Dandenong Magistrates Court following accusations of threatening to inflict “serious harm” on Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. The allegations involve a social media post deemed “menacing” and have led to Byrne facing two charges under Commonwealth law from March. Currently out on bail, he is subjected to conditions preventing him from coming within 100 metres of state or federal political figures, including the Prime Minister.
Court documents indicate that Byrne allegedly threatened to harm Prime Minister Albanese on February 7, with this charge carrying a potential maximum sentence of seven years if convicted. Furthermore, he is charged with using a communications service in a manner perceived as menacing, linked to a post made on social media targeting the Prime Minister.
During the court session, a Commonwealth prosecutor requested the media’s access to case details be addressed in the next hearing, allowing time for discussions with the defence. Magistrate Fran Medina permitted some aspects of the case to be disclosed, emphasising that the charges remain allegations at this stage.
Initial claims by the Australian Federal Police suggested Byrne made death threats and expressed anti-Semitic sentiments towards a member of parliament through social media between January 7 and February 19, 2025. However, these specific allegations were not discussed in the recent court hearing.
Upcoming court dates have been scheduled to facilitate negotiations between the parties involved, and Byrne’s bail was extended. He is set to return to court on July 10.