A man from Western Sydney has been charged with threatening Prime Minister Anthony Albanese through social media prior to the federal election. Alexander Phillip David Keating, residing in Kingswood, appeared at the Downing Centre Local Court on Friday. During a press conference in Sydney, Albanese confirmed he was the target of the alleged threats.
Albanese stated, “The person is myself, mentioned in today’s newspapers, but I don’t comment on national security issues … whether it involves someone else or whether it involves me directly.” He expressed confidence in the capabilities of national security agencies, affirming that they perform their duties effectively.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) identified the threats against Albanese on social media in March 2023. Keating is accused of making three separate threats via his social media account. Following these allegations, police executed a search warrant at his residence on May 7, 2023, where they seized electronic devices for examination. Keating received a court attendance notice, facing charges of threatening to cause harm to a Commonwealth public official, an offense carrying a maximum penalty of nine years imprisonment. He is scheduled to return to court in August.
AFP acting commander Mark Baron emphasized the seriousness with which the police regard threats to the safety of parliamentarians. “The AFP supports freedom of speech and political expression, but I want to make it clear we will never tolerate criminal behaviour, including threats and harassment,” he stated.
In March, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw reported to Senate estimates that there had been 712 reports of threats against high office holders, federal parliamentarians, and dignitaries during the current financial year. He noted that targeted politicians span the political spectrum across Australia and come from various backgrounds.
Kershaw highlighted a concerning trend: many threats disproportionately affect female parliamentarians and high-ranking officials, often involving derogatory remarks about their appearance. “Some of this material also contains extremely violent themes, including threats of graphic, sexual violence,” he said.
The political landscape in Australia has seen increased tensions, particularly around sensitive issues such as the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Last year, numerous MPs experienced vandalism at their offices, with Labor MPs including Josh Burns, Peter Khalil, Ged Kearney, and Bill Shorten among those targeted. During the election campaign, Liberal Senator James Paterson‘s office was also subjected to harassment by neo-Nazi protesters, who were captured on video threatening politicians.
This incident underscores the pressing need for maintaining a safe environment for public officials and fostering a respectful political discourse in Australia. As the situation develops, the AFP continues to monitor threats against public figures closely, reinforcing their commitment to upholding the safety and security of parliamentary representatives.
