Officers from the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) have charged a Mossman man following an investigation into hate crime offences.
The activity was undertaken by members of the recently established joint QPS-AFP Hate Crime Team, a partnership between the QPS Counter Terrorism Investigation Group and the AFP National Security Investigations capability.
Bringing together specialist investigators and intelligence practitioners from both agencies, the team enhances information sharing, intelligence development and coordinated investigative responses where State and Commonwealth interests intersect.
Following investigations into reports of ideologically motivated threats of violence, QPS and AFP detectives executed a search warrant at a Mossman address and arrested a 52-year-old Mossman man on the Captain Cook Highway at Macalister Range on Thursday, 27 August.
An electronic communication device was also seized and will be subject to forensic examination.
The 52-year-old man has been charged with two counts of threats with circumstance of aggravation (serious vilification or hate crime).
It is alleged that the offence relates to abusive, threatening and antisemitic content towards a religious organisation.
He is due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on 21 September.
Detective Superintendent Heath Hutchings from the QPS Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group said the operation highlighted the value of the partnership between the two agencies.
"The joint QPS-AFP Hate Crime Team reflects our shared commitment to protecting Queensland communities and ensuring matters that have the potential to impact community safety are effectively assessed and investigated."
"By combining the expertise, legislative capabilities and investigative resources of both agencies, we are better positioned to identify and respond to complex and emerging threats."
"This week's activity demonstrates the strength of that partnership and our ongoing commitment to working together to keep Queensland communities safe."
AFP Detective Superintendent Anthony Conway said the AFP was committed to working with Queensland Police Service and other agencies to combat activities which impacted on community safety.
"The AFP's National Security Investigations teams target groups and people causing high levels of harm to Australia's social cohesion," Det-Supt Conway said.
"Harm to social cohesion at a local community level ultimately impacts on Australia's national security - we will not allow divisive and hateful rhetoric to grow and spread more widely."
Investigations remain ongoing.
The QPS and AFP encourage members of the public to report incidents of hate crimes, including antisemitism, through Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au or call 131 444.
Quote this reference number: QP2601670869
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