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A neo-Nazi, charged with inciting his followers to unleash severe verbal abuse on a federal politician, remains in custody as federal authorities intensify efforts against threats directed at public officials.
Joel Davis, 30, faced Sydney magistrate Daniel Covington today, who decided against granting him bail.
The spokesperson for the National Socialist Network allegedly misused a communication service to instigate harassment and spread hatred against Allegra Spender, the independent MP for Wentworth.
Davis is accused of urging his followers to “rhetorically rape” the MP through a secure online platform after she publicly criticized the group for organizing a rally demanding the “abolition of the Jewish lobby” outside the New South Wales parliament earlier in November.
During the virtual court session, Davis’s lawyer, Liam McKibbin, highlighted that Davis’s partner is expecting to give birth to their son soon.
The pair have planned a home birth with a midwife at their Bondi residence.
Noting the “alleged disturbing conduct,” the defence lawyer said it doesn’t include a “specific physical threat of violence”.
Opposing bail, prosecutor Kristen Wakefield said Davis’ South Australian criminal history showed he is bailed to an address there.
She said he was an unacceptable risk, noting failure to appear, danger posed to community safety, and the alleged offending occurring while on bail.
Wakefield said due to Telegram’s wide audience, it would be very difficult for federal police to conduct compliance checks to ensure he wasn’t continuing to offend.
Refusing the bail application, Covington said there was an unacceptable risk of Davis committing a serious offence and endangering community safety.
He will next appear before the court online on December 3.
Australian Federal Police National Security Investigations teams have arrested three people, including Davis, in the past week for allegedly harassing or threatening parliamentarians.
They include a Tamworth man, 29, issued a court attendance notice for allegedly sending online threats to an Australian high office holder, in addition to a 32-year-old Victorian man for allegedly using a carriage service to harass a politician.
AFP acting Assistant Commissioner Matthew Gale said 951 referrals had been made in the 2024/2025 financial year over threats to federal politicians.
“The AFP is very concerned, and our national security investigations teams, alongside with our specialist protective command, are working hand in glove with our federal parliamentarians to make sure that we provide them with the assurances and the safety that are required,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“Threats against federal parliamentarians is a significant issue for us.”
He said there had been year-on-year increases in threats, with a 63 per cent rise over the last four years.