The AFP has charged a West Australian man with allegedly using social media to threaten a Commonwealth parliamentarian.
The AFP charged the Toodyay man, 29, today (21 February, 2025) after an investigation into repeated online threats made towards the parliamentarian.
The AFP allegedly traced the threats to a Toodyay man and executed a search warrant at his home earlier today where they forensically reviewed a number of electronic devices. They also found three cannabis plants and drug-related items.
The AFP will allege the man used social media to make threats to the parliamentarian between November, 2024, and December, 2024.
He was charged with:
- Three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, contrary to section 474.17(1) of the Criminal Code(Cth).
The offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
The man was granted conditional bail by WA Police and is scheduled to appear before Perth Magistrates Court on 12 March, 2025.
The man was also charged with:
- Two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia, contrary to section 7B(6) Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 (WA), punishable by fine of $36,000 or imprisonment for three years or both; and
- One count of cultivation of a prohibited plant (cannabis), contrary to section 7(2) Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 (WA), punishable by fine up to $2000 or imprisonment up to two years or both.
AFP Commander Renee Colley said the AFP took all reports regarding the safety and security of parliamentarians seriously and assessed each matter based on the information provided.
"The AFP supports freedom of speech and political expression, but I want to make it clear we will never tolerate criminal behaviour, including threats and harassment," Commander Colley said.
"The AFP will identify individuals who break the law by threatening or harassing Commonwealth elected officials."
