A Blue Mountains man is expected to appear before Katoomba Local Court today (30 March, 2026) to face a charge of harassing a federal parliamentarian online.
Police will allege that between April and July, 2025, the man sent multiple harassing messages via email, social media, and voicemail to the parliamentarian's electoral office.
The AFP's National Security Investigations (NSI) team linked the man, 42, to the alleged illegal activity, which occurred over multiple applications.
The man was served a court attendance notice on 6 February, 2026, to face one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, contrary to section 474.17 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Andrew Bell said the NSI teams took all reports of harassment towards politicians seriously.
"The AFP supports freedom of speech and political expression, but criminal behaviour such as harassment will never be tolerated," Det a/Insp Bell said.
"Hiding behind a keyboard or phone does not mean you are anonymous and out of the AFP's reach - we have the resources and technology to find you and bring you before the courts."
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett announced the establishment of NSI teams in October, 2025, to target groups and individuals causing high levels of harm to Australia's social cohesion, including the targeting of federal parliamentarians.
