The AFP has charged a northern NSW man over a series of allegedly offensive social media posts directed toward a federal parliamentarian.
The Woolgoolga man, 53, is scheduled to appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on 4 September, 2026.
The AFP’s National Security Investigations (NSI) team launched an investigation in June, 2026, after police received a report of offensive and threatening posts on social media.
AFP investigators linked the posts to a social media account allegedly operated by the Woolgoolga man.
A search warrant was executed in Woolgoolga on 9 July, 2026, with investigators seizing a mobile phone, which will undergo forensic examination.
The man was charged with one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, contrary to section 474.17 of the Criminal Code (Cth). He was granted police bail.
This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.
AFP Acting Inspector Zoe Smith said nobody, including public officials, should be subjected to offensive and threatening posts.
“People should not assume they can use social media to target, harass or intimidate others without consequence,” a/Insp Smith said.
“The internet is not an anonymous space. The AFP has the means to identify those responsible and ensure they are brought 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.
