Neo-Nazi accused of threatening politician denied bail
A neo-Nazi accused of leading his supporters to “rhetorically rape” a federal politician will remain behind bars as federal police crack down on threats and harassment against elected officials.
Joel Davis, 30, appeared before Sydney magistrate Daniel Covington on Friday after being refused bail.
A spokesman for the National Socialist Network is alleged to have used a carriage service to promote harassment and hatred towards independent Wentworth MP Allegra Spending.
Davis is accused of calling on his supporters to “rhetorically rape” parliamentarians on an encrypted online platform after denouncing the group that held a rally outside the NSW parliament in early November to “dismantle the Jewish lobby”.
Representing Davis, Liam McKibbin told the online court that his client’s pregnant partner would soon give birth to a son.
The couple planned to give birth at home, accompanied by a midwife, at their home in Bondi.
Noting the “allegedly disturbing behavior”, the defense lawyer said it did not involve “a specific threat of physical violence”.
Opposing bail, prosecutor Kristen Wakefield said Davis’ criminal history in South Australia showed he was bailed to an address there.
He stated that he was an unacceptable risk, failing to attend court, posing a danger to public safety and that the alleged offense occurred while he was on bail.
Ms. Wakefield said that because of Telegram’s large audience, it would be very difficult for federal police to conduct compliance checks to ensure it was not continuing to commit crimes.
Refusing the bail application, Mr Covington said there was an unacceptable risk that Davis would commit a serious crime and endanger community safety.
He will next appear in court online on December 3.
Australian Federal Police National Security Investigations teams last week arrested three people, including Davis, for allegedly harassing or threatening parliamentarians.
They include a 29-year-old Tamworth man who was issued a court attendance notice for allegedly sending online threats to an Australian dignitary, and a 32-year-old Victorian man who allegedly used a transport service to harass a politician.
Acting AFP Deputy Commissioner Matthew Gale said 951 referrals were made for threats against federal politicians in the 2024/2025 financial year.
“The AFP is very concerned and our national security investigation teams, alongside our specialist protection command, are working hand in hand with our federal parliamentarians to make sure we provide them with the reassurance and security they require,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“Threats against federal parliamentarians are an important issue for us.”
He said that there has been an increase in threats on an annual basis, with a 63 percent increase in the last four years.
Australia’s Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national news channel and has been providing accurate, reliable and fast-paced news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We inform Australia.
