Two men charged over threatening messages to Lidia Thorpe and about Allegra Spender

Australian Federal Police Crack Down on Threats Against MPs Amid Growing Hate Speech

Two men have been charged with sending threatening messages to Lidia Thorpe, an Indigenous Australian MP, and Allegra Spender, who condemned a neo-Nazi rally outside the NSW parliament. The charges were part of a broader crackdown by the AFP's national security investigation team on groups and individuals causing harm to Australia's social cohesion.

In a separate case, Joel Davis was refused bail over allegations that he sent a "menacing message" about Spender, which encouraged people to direct abusive and hateful messages at her. The message included threats of sexual violence, prompting Magistrate Daniel Covington to rule that Davis posed a risk to the community if granted bail.

Meanwhile, Stefan Eracleous was charged with using a carriage service to harass Thorpe after his electronic devices were seized by police. He is also accused of defacing an Indigenous flag outside her office. Eracleous will face court next week, while another man from Tamworth, who has seven charges against him including four counts of harassment and possession of a prohibited firearm, will appear in court in January.

The AFP's national security investigation team was set up to target groups and individuals causing high levels of harm to Australia's social cohesion. The recent arrests are part of an effort to curb hate speech and protect federal parliamentarians from online abuse.

Thorpe's office reported the alleged harassment after a man sent multiple emails, which escalated into an abusive phone call including hateful and menacing rhetoric. Spender condemned the neo-Nazi rally and was subjected to online abuse before police stepped in.

The charges highlight growing concerns about online hate speech and its impact on Australian society. The AFP is working to disrupt online networks and bring perpetrators to justice, but critics argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of this issue.

As the investigation continues, many are calling for greater action to protect MPs from online abuse and harassment. The recent arrests demonstrate that the AFP is taking these threats seriously, but it remains to be seen how effective their efforts will be in curbing hate speech.

it's so messed up that ppl think its okay 2 send threatening msgs 2 MPs just cuz they're tryna express their opinion its like u cant even agree without resorting 2 hate & online abuse is getting outta control, gotta do better than just locking ppl away we need more support 4 our mental health & more effort 2 address the root causes of this hate speech

OMG, 1.4 billion people checked in on Instagram about this news ! The number of hate speech cases reported online has increased by 50% in the past year alone . Australia's social cohesion is being tested like never before, with 70% of Aussies saying they're worried about online harassment .

The AFP's efforts to curb hate speech are a good start, but we need to see more concrete action taken . Did you know that the average online abuse case takes around 3 days to resolve? That's way too long! The AFP is working to disrupt online networks, but it's only 20% effective so far .

We're talking about a culture where 1 in 5 Australians report experiencing online harassment . The numbers are staggering: 90% of Indigenous Aussies have experienced online hate speech . It's time for us to come together as a community and demand change!

omg u guys i've got de tea on dis new crackdown by the australia federal police they're finally takin serious action against people who are spreadin hate speech & threats towards our mp's like lidia thorpe & allegra spender i mean it's about time, right? but seriously, it's still super concerning that ppl think it's okay to send menacing messages or make threats online and now the afp is finally gettin after them so yeah, lets see how this plays out in court

I'm getting really worried about this growing hate speech issue in Aus . It's like, we're all human beings, right? And yet people are getting away with sending out such vile messages online. I mean, can you imagine if someone did that to your family member or loved one? The thought alone is giving me the heebie-jeebies .

I think what's really needed here is more support for our MPs and parliamentarians. We need to make sure they feel safe coming up with laws and policies that benefit everyone, not just a select few. I've been thinking we should have some kind of online safety net, like a dedicated team or platform where people can report hate speech without fear of retribution.

And what's even more concerning is that some of these perpetrators are getting away scot-free because they're using coded language and hiding behind anonymity . It's like, we need to get smart about this too, and not just rely on the AFP to crack down on individual cases. We need to think about the bigger picture here and how we can prevent hate speech from taking hold in the first place.

I've been following some of these online forums and communities where people are discussing this issue, and it's clear that there's a lot of anger and frustration on both sides . It's like, we're all caught in the middle, trying to navigate this toxic online landscape without getting hurt or losing our minds .

I'm so stoked that the Aussie Federal Police is cracking down on people making threatening messages against our politicians! Lidia Thorpe and Allegra Spender are total legends for speaking out against those neo-Nazis, and it's about time someone took action against these online trolls. I mean, who wants to be bombarded with hate speech all day? Not me, that's for sure! It's so sad that we need laws in place to stop people from being abusive online, but I guess that's just the way it is.

I'm glad that Stefan Eracleous is going to face court next week – he sounds like a real piece of work! And Joel Davis getting refused bail is pretty cool too. It's all about setting a good example and showing everyone that we won't tolerate this kind of behavior. I think the AFP is doing a great job trying to disrupt online networks and bring these perpetrators to justice, but yeah, more needs to be done, for sure.

I'm all for protecting our politicians and keeping Australia safe from hate speech. It's not exactly rocket science, right? We just need to look out for each other and treat everyone with respect. I mean, come on, we're all Aussies – can't we all just get along?

This is a big deal for Australia's social cohesion . I'm all about free speech, but when people are using it to hurt others, that's not okay . The AFP needs to keep up the good work and bring these haters to justice . We need more awareness about online harassment and its impact on mental health . It's time for Australia to come together against hate speech . Can't we all just be kind to each other? #StopHateSpeech #ProtectMPs #AustraliaUnites

I'm totally with the Aussie cops on this one - online hate speech has gotta stop! As a netizen, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the heat of the moment and type something we might regret later... but sending threatening messages or harassment via email, phone call, or social media is NEVER okay. It's not just Lidia Thorpe and Allegra Spender who are being targeted, either - anyone can be online abused for saying something unpopular or disagreeing with someone else's views.

The thing is, online hate speech isn't just a minor annoyance - it's a serious threat to our social cohesion. And the fact that these guys were able to get away with sending menacing messages and harassing MPs without being caught sooner is a worrying trend. The AFP's effort to crack down on this stuff is long overdue, but now we need to see some real action taken to prevent online abuse from happening in the first place... like better moderation on social media platforms and more support for victims of online harassment.

It's also time for us as a community to take responsibility for our online behavior. We can all play a role in calling out hate speech when we see it, reporting suspicious activity, and promoting respectful dialogue instead of division. It won't be easy, but if we work together, I reckon we can make Australia's online spaces safer for everyone.

this is a super concerning trend - all these politicians getting threatened and harassed online especially Lidia Thorpe, who's already dealing with so much trauma from her community. i think the AFP is doing the right thing by taking action, but we need to go beyond just arresting people... what about creating online safe spaces for MPs? like, protecting their anonymity online would be a huge help. and also, social media companies need to take responsibility for removing hate speech ASAP

I'm glad to see some people getting punished for sending threatening messages to our politicians But I gotta say, it's kinda suspicious that they're only going after the ones who are openly hateful and not all of them online There's got to be more to this story than meets the eye. And what about the ones who aren't even caught? Like, how many people are getting away with sending these messages and still living their best lives under the radar? It's like they're just taking a slap on the wrist for bad behavior, instead of actual justice.

And don't even get me started on how it's not doing enough to address the root causes of online hate speech Like, why are we not talking about the societal issues that lead people to become so hateful and discriminatory? It feels like they're just treating the symptoms instead of getting at the problem itself. I'm all for protecting our politicians from online abuse, but it's gotta be more than just a surface-level solution

I don’t usually comment but I think its kinda harsh when they charge people with sending threatening messages just for speaking their minds online . Like, isn't that what free speech is all about? The cops are trying to stop online harassment and protect the politicians, but sometimes it feels like they're gonna stifle our own voices too . I get where they want to keep Lidia Thorpe and Allegra Spender safe, but at what cost? Is this really what we need more of in Australia – strict laws and punishments for people who are just trying to express themselves?

this is so messed up!!! two guys charged with sending threatening messages to Lidia Thorpe & Allegra Spender like what's next?? our politicians should be able to serve without being harassed online, its not okay that they have to go through this the AFP needs to step it up and make sure these ppl are brought to justice ASAP

Can't believe what's going on in Australia right now - two men get charged for sending threatening messages to Indigenous MP Lidia Thorpe and Allegra Spender who spoke out against a neo-Nazi rally outside parliament. This is getting way too serious, like, we need to be protecting our MPs from hate speech, not just tolerating it The fact that Joel Davis was refused bail after sending a message encouraging people to send abuse to Spender, with threats of sexual violence, is just ridiculous. We need more concrete actions to stop this online harassment, and the AFP's efforts better not be just a token gesture These arrests might give us hope that they're taking this seriously, but we need to see lasting change, like education programs and community initiatives to combat hate speech Can't wait for January when another guy from Tamworth is going to court with seven charges against him... it's time for Australia to take a stand against online abuse

I'm so worried about our politicians and the stress they're under . These guys are just sending nasty messages online, but they're really affecting people's lives. I mean, who wants to receive a message telling them to leave or die? It's just not acceptable .

And what's even more disturbing is that some of these guys are getting charged with crimes like harassment and possession of a firearm . I don't think we should have to live in fear of someone sending us nasty messages online. We need to find ways to deal with this hate speech problem without resorting to harsh punishments.

I'm not saying the police aren't doing their job, but we do need more help from other parts of society . We need to educate people about the impact of their words and actions, and we need to create a culture where everyone feels safe and respected .

I'm so tired of people being able to just send nasty messages online without getting caught . Like, what's the point of even having laws if no one's gonna follow them? We need more than just some charges and court appearances to really make a difference . We need to get at the root of this hate speech problem and find ways to stop it before it gets out of hand . I'm all for protecting our MPs, but we need to do better as a society . Can't we all just get along?

OMG u guys, I dont think its fair 2 just lock ppl up 4 sending "threatening" messages they're just expressing themselves, u know? Like, Lidia Thorpe is an Indigenous MP & she's entitled 2 have her opinions heard too. If ppl r gonna get all worked up over some hurtful words, that's on them not the person sending it

I mean, Joel Davis was refused bail bcos of "threats" but what if he just wanted 2 express his opinion & got taken down by the system? That don't seem right. Stefan Eracleous is gonna face court 2 deface an Indigenous flag outside Thorpe's office, but I wonder if ppl r holding him accountable 4 that act?

We need 2 think about why we're so quick 2 silence & shame people who speak up, rather than tryin 2 understand where they're comin from. Maybe instead of just throwin people in jail, we should be tryin 2 have a real conversation about what's goin on here

Ugh, finally some law enforcement taking this kind of stuff seriously... I mean, about time someone did. Can't believe people still think they can just threaten MPs online and get away with it. Like, what's next? Threatening our favorite YouTubers or something? Anyway, glad to see the AFP is cracking down on these guys. It's not like it's a big deal or anything... I mean, who wouldn't want to send threatening messages to elected officials, right?

omg can't believe what's going on in australia rn like threatening messages against mps is totally unacceptable & has to stop ASAP!!! 7 charges against one guy for harassment & possession of a prohibited firearm? that's crazy what kind of society are we living in where people feel safe sending menacing messages online?! the afp needs to step up their game & take action on hate speech, it's not just about arresting ppl who send threats, we need concrete solutions

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

The way things are going, we're heading down a dark path where online hate speech becomes the norm. It's time for authorities to take a strong stance against this toxic behavior and create a safer space for everyone, especially our elected officials. The Australian government needs to invest in more effective measures to curb hate speech and protect our parliamentarians from online abuse. We can't just sit back and wait for things to get worse before taking action

The AFP's move to crack down on threats against MPs is a good step ... think about it, if they can't even send a message without being charged with harassment, what's the point of online freedom? I mean, I get it, we need to protect our politicians from online abuse, but isn't that just creating a list of people who are too afraid to say what they really think? Like, Lidia Thorpe's office said she was harassed after sending multiple emails... sounds like someone on the other end got a bit scared ... I guess it's good they're taking these threats seriously, but we need to have a more nuanced conversation about online hate speech and how to tackle it without stifling free speech.