'Putting them on notice': AFP issues stark warning after arrests over alleged threats to MPs
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The Australian Federal Police has put those with extremist views "on notice" after charging three men over alleged threats to members of parliament.
The charges come after National Socialist Network spokesperson Joel Davis, 30, was arrested in Bondi, more than a week after NSW shadow minister Kellie Sloane and federal MP Allegra Spender referred threats they received on X and Telegram to police.
Davis had allegedly called on supporters online to "rhetorically rape" Spender.
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National Socialist Network spokesperson Joel Davis was arrested in Bondi on Thursday. Australian Federal Police
"Yesterday, an investigation undertaken by the National Security Investigations Team in New South Wales led to the arrest and charging of the 30-year-old for using a carriage service to harass a federal member of parliament," AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Matthew Gale said.
"We allege the man shared a menacing message on an encrypted online platform encouraging abuse and hate to be directed towards this MP.
"We allege the message was sent following the MP's condemnation of a Nationalist Socialist Network protest in Sydney earlier this month."
He is set to appear in court later today.
On Saturday, a separate investigation resulted in a 29-year-old man from NSW's north being issued a court attendance notice for offences of allegedly making online threats to an Australian high office holder.
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Acting Assistant Commissioner Matthew Gale said all three men have been charged. Nine
"We will allege the man used an online website portal to make threatening and harassing comments towards the high office holder," Gale said.
The man is scheduled to appear in court in January next year.
This morning, the National Security Investigations Team in Victoria executed a search warrant as part of an investigation into a man who is alleged to have used a carriage service to harass a federal member of parliament.
"A man has now been arrested and charged with using a carriage service to harass a federal member of parliament," the AFP said.
"These three incidents are an example of the challenges we face in combating those who are seeking to damage our social cohesion.
"There are current and emerging individuals and groups who are eroding our country's social fabric by advocating hatred, fear, and humiliation, and the AFP once again is putting them on notice."
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Independent Member for Wentworth Allegra Spender said she received threats. Australia Parliament
Gale said there was no place for hate or violence in Australia and that the AFP is focused on defending Australia from potential threats in the future.
"If you wish to share extremist views that seek to erode the social fabric of our community, the AFP activity this week is a very explicit warning," he said.
"Threats against federal parliamentarians is a significant issue for us.
"We are on the record previously talking about the year-on-year increase that we're seeing in relation to threats, it's at 63 per cent over the last four years now."
The maximum penalty for the charges carries five years imprisonment.
The neo-Nazi rally held on November 8 sparked outrage and calls for tougher laws, with questions on how the group was allowed to protest outside NSW parliament.
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