'Team Australia' claim by Sydney man charged over PM threats
Updated . First published at
A man staring down jail time for allegedly threatening to kill the prime minister caused a stir after leaving court for the first time.
Greg William Tait, 43, appeared in Parramatta Local Court in Sydney's west today charged with making threatening phone calls to Anthony Albanese's office a day after the Bondi terror attack.
While his court appearance passed without fuss, Tait reacted in disbelief to the media scrum awaiting him outside.
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Greg Tait departs Parramatta Local Court, claiming he was "Team Australia". Sam Mooy
He sarcastically called his case the biggest story in the country when asked why he allegedly made the threatening calls.
"Team Australia, that's what I stand for, nothing else," Tait called out from across the road.
The Greystanes man has not entered a plea and told the court he was seeking legal advice.
He is accused of making multiple phone calls to the prime minister's office before staff alerted police on December 16.
Australian Federal Police searched his western Sydney home and seized electronic devices.
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Tait could face prison time if found guilty. Sam Mooy
If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison after being charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence.
The allegations are the latest in a string of threats made against federal and state politicians.
Sydney eastern suburbs politicians including independent federal MP Allegra Spender and NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane were the subject of inflammatory, misogynistic and violent threats after condemning a neo-Nazi rally outside NSW parliament in November.
In December, a man was charged after several online threats were made to kill federal Communications Minister Anika Wells.
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Kelli Sloane has previously been the victim of threats against her. Sitthixay Ditthavong
Later that month, a 27-year-old Sydney man was arrested after allegedly threatening to kidnap Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in online posts.
The AFP received 951 referrals or threats against parliamentarians in the 2024-25 financial year, rising 63 per cent over the past four years.
"The AFP supports freedom of speech and political expression, but any criminal behaviour, including threats and harassment, will not be tolerated," senior federal officer Matthew Gale said in November.
Tait will return to court on January 28.
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