THE CRIMINAL OFFENCE OF THREATENING TO CAUSE HARM TO A COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC OFFICIAL: THE LAW
The criminal offence of Threatening to Cause Harm to a Commonwealth Public Official is a serious criminal offence that can lead to severe repercussions. Criminal Lawyers Group have been nationally recognised as the number one criminal law firm in NSW for securing the best outcomes for clients who have been charged with the criminal offence of Threatening to Cause Harm to a Commonwealth Public Official.
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with the criminal offence of Threatening to Cause Harm to a Commonwealth Public Official, contact our award-winning team of expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation.
WHAT IS THE CRIMINAL OFFENCE OF THREATENING TO CAUSE HARM TO A COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC OFFICIAL?
Section 147.2 (2) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) constitutes the criminal offence of Threatening to Cause Harm to a Commonwealth Public Official as having occurred if:
- the first person makes to another person (the second person) a threat to cause harm to the second person or to a third person; and
- the second person or the third person is a public official; and
- the first person:
(i) intends the second person to fear that the threat will be carried out; or
(ii) is reckless as to causing the second person to fear that the threat will be carried out; and
- the first person makes the threat because of:
(i) the official’s status as a public official; or
(ii) any conduct engaged in by the official in the official’s capacity as a public official; and
(e) the official is a Commonwealth public official; and
(f) if subparagraph (d)(i) applies–the status mentioned in that subparagraph was status as a Commonwealth public official; and
(g) if subparagraph (d)(ii) applies–the conduct mentioned in that subparagraph was engaged in by the official in the official’s capacity as a Commonwealth public official.
WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR THE CRIMINAL OFFENCE OF THREATENING TO CAUSE HARM TO A COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC OFFICIAL?
Section 147.2 (2) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) prescribes a maximum penalty of 2 years imprisonment for anyone convicted of the criminal offence of Threatening to Cause Harm to a Commonwealth Public Official under this subsection.
WHAT IF IT IS A THREAT TO CAUSE SERIOUS HARM?
If you are convicted of Threatening to Cause Serious Harm to a Commonwealth Public Official under Section 147.2 (1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) and the official is a Commonwealth judicial officer, a Commonwealth law enforcement officer or a Commonwealth frontline worker, the maximum penalty is 9 years imprisonment, whilst a conviction under this subsection in any other case has a maximum penalty of 7 years imprisonment.
WESTERN SYDNEY MAN CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL OFFENCE OF THREATENING TO CAUSE HARM TO A COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC OFFICIAL
A Kingswood man was charged under Section 147.2 (1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) with the criminal offence of Threatening to Cause Serious Harm to a Commonwealth Public Official, arising from allegations that he threatened Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on social media before the 2025 federal election.
The Prime Minister confirmed he was the politician referred to in media reports that was subject to the alleged threats, stating “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.”
The accused man is alleged to have made the threats from his social media account, with police executing a search warrant and taking his devices.
The accused is due to face Court in August 2025.
CONTACT CRIMINAL LAWYERS GROUP NOW
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with the criminal offence of Threatening to Cause Harm to a Commonwealth Public Official, contact our expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation so that we may secure the best outcome for you.
Our award-winning team of criminal law experts are nationally recognised for securing not guilty verdicts, the withdrawal of charges and the avoidance of prison sentences for our clients across NSW who have been charged with the criminal offence of Threatening to Cause Harm to a Commonwealth Public Official.