A man from Western Sydney has been charged with making death threats against Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on social media ahead of the federal election. Alexander Phillip David Keating, a resident of Kingswood, appeared in Downing Centre Local Court on Friday. This development follows Albanese’s confirmation that he was the politician targeted by these threats during a press conference in Sydney.
Albanese addressed the situation, stating, “The person is myself, mentioned in today’s newspapers, but I don’t comment on national security issues… what I do is have confidence in our national security agencies to do their job, and they do it very well.” His remarks highlighted the serious nature of the allegations, although he refrained from discussing specifics about the threats.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) identified the threats against Albanese in March 2023. Keating allegedly issued three threats via his social media account, prompting police to execute a search warrant at his home on May 7, 2023. During this operation, authorities seized electronic devices for further examination. Keating has been charged with threatening to cause harm to a Commonwealth public official, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of nine years in prison. He is scheduled to return to court in August.
The AFP’s acting commander, Mark Baron, emphasized the seriousness with which police approach threats against 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,” Baron stated.
The issue of threats against politicians has escalated in recent years. During a Senate estimates hearing, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw reported a staggering 712 incidents of threats against high office holders, including federal parliamentarians and dignitaries, during the financial year to that point. “The politicians who have been targeted are across the political spectrum, live throughout Australia, and are of different faiths,” Kershaw noted.
Kershaw also pointed out that many threats disproportionately affect female parliamentarians, often characterized by derogatory comments about their appearance, and in some cases, include violent themes. The heightened political tensions last year, particularly surrounding the war in Gaza, saw several MPs’ offices vandalized, including those of Labor representatives Josh Burns, Peter Khalil, Ged Kearney, and Bill Shorten. Additionally, during the election campaign, Liberal senator James Paterson faced threats from neo-Nazi groups that targeted his office.
The growing trend of threats and harassment against politicians reflects broader issues within the political landscape, raising concerns about the safety and security of elected officials. As the legal proceedings against Keating unfold, the case underscores the need for continued vigilance and action to protect those in public service.
