A man from Melbourne has been charged with making threats and antisemitic remarks towards federal and Victorian MPs. The 43-year-old Reservoir resident allegedly used social media and email to harass a federal MP from New South Wales and a state MP from Victoria in mid-January this year. He faces four counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence, alongside one count of using such a service to threaten death.
The charges followed a search warrant executed by Victoria Police and Special Operation Avalite at the man’s residence, where several electronic devices were confiscated. Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt from the Australian Federal Police stated that anyone involved in such despicable actions would be pursued and face legal consequences. He emphasised that threats based on an individual’s race, religion, or ethnicity are unacceptable.
Nutt further indicated that the community could expect more charges, as ongoing investigations are underway against other individuals. The accused has been granted conditional bail and is set to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on April 8.