The Australian Federal Police charged a 53-year-old man from Woolgoolga, within the Coffs Harbour area, following an investigation into allegedly offensive and threatening social-media posts directed towards a federal parliamentarian. The AFP's National Security Investigations team began investigating in June 2026, after receiving a report about the online material.

Investigators allegedly linked the posts to a social-media account operated by the Woolgoolga man. On 9 July 2026, AFP investigators executed a search warrant at a property in Woolgoolga. During the search, police seized a mobile phone, which is to undergo forensic examination as part of the investigation.

The man was charged with one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, under section 474.17 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code. The offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment. He was granted police bail following the charge.

The case is connected to the AFP's broader work targeting serious online behaviour directed at federal parliamentarians. The AFP established National Security Investigations teams in 2025 to investigate individuals and groups considered to be causing significant harm to social cohesion, including threats or harassment directed towards federal public officials.

The accused is scheduled to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on 4 September 2026.

Coffs Harbour Court House is located on Beryl Street, where local court proceedings are conducted.

The AFP has emphasised that people should not assume social-media activity is anonymous. Investigators can use digital evidence and forensic examination to identify accounts and potentially connect online activity to particular individuals. In this case, the seized mobile phone is expected to form part of the continuing forensic investigation.

The case also demonstrates the distinction between being charged and being convicted. The allegations against the Woolgoolga man have not been proven in court. He remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until a court determines otherwise.

For the Coffs Harbour community, the case is particularly relevant because the accused is from Woolgoolga and the next court appearance is scheduled locally. However, the alleged conduct took place online, so it should not be described as a physical crime occurring in Coffs Harbour.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the forensic examination of the seized device may provide further evidence. The upcoming court appearance will determine the next stage of the legal proceedings.