South Australian Man Charged for Allegedly Sending Offensive Emails to Harass MP

A South Australian man is set to appear in court after being accused of sending menacing and offensive emails to a federal parliamentarian.

The 73-year-old was charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence over a series of emails sent between May 2023 and December 2025.

If found guilty, the man could face a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

Australian Federal Police traced the emails before executing a search warrant at the man’s home and seizing several electronic devices in January 2026.

The man has been placed on strict, conditional bail with a court appearance planned on Feb. 27.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Simon Lalic said the agency was taking threats to parliamentarians seriously.

“The AFP supports freedom of speech and political expression, but does not tolerate criminal behaviour, including threats and harassment,” he said in a statement.

“The AFP uses a range of tools including world-leading technology and intelligence techniques to identify individuals who break the law by harassing, menacing or threatening Commonwealth officials.”

According to the Department of Home Affairs, the AFP received 951 reports of threatening, harassing, nuisance and offensive communications to federal parliamentarians in 2024-25.

A Home Affairs spokesperson told The Epoch Times that as part of democracy, parliamentarians had a right to go about their duties without fear or farm.

Last year, the AFP established its National Security Investigations teams to target groups and individuals that cause high levels of harm to Australia’s social cohesion, including targeting federal MPs.

“Every report regarding the safety and security of a federal parliamentarian—including threatening, harassing, nuisance and offensive communications—is taken seriously, and appropriate action is taken in response to criminal behaviour,” the spokesperson said.

The incident comes just days after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was forced to evacuate his Canberra residence for several hours following bomb threats linked to the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts, which specialises in classical Chinese dance and music.

Ahead of the art group’s Australian tour, scheduled to begin on Feb. 25, local presenters received emails in Chinese demanding they cancel the performances or face dire consequences.

The senders falsely claimed they had placed explosives near the prime minister’s residence in Canberra and would detonate them unless Shen Yun presenters complied with their demands.