A 70-year-old man from Yanchep, Western Australia, has been charged with sending offensive emails containing racist remarks to a federal parliamentarian's electorate office.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) launched an investigation in April after linking the man to the emails, which allegedly included anti-Semitic content. A search warrant was executed at his home on Friday.
The man was arrested and bailed to appear in the Magistrates Court in Perth on July 10. He faces five counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence, which carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
AFP Acting Inspector Fleur Jennings stated that offensive remarks towards elected officials will not be tolerated. “Like all employees in this country, public officials deserve to be able to go to work and conduct their business in a safe environment,” she said.
Jennings warned that offenders cannot remain anonymous online, as the AFP has the resources and technology to find those who threaten, menace, or harass parliamentarians and high-office holders.
