Man charged over emails to Royal Commission witness

A 59-year-old northern NSW man has been charged with allegedly sending three offensive emails to a witness to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

He also faces weapons charges.

The Australian Federal Police’s National Security Investigations team received a report about the emails in May.

Investigators allege they linked the man to the messages.

A search warrant was executed at Woodburn, on the NSW far north coast, on 11 June, with investigators seizing electronic devices and two prohibited weapons.

Right-wing literature and pamphlets, and instructions on making explosives, were also seized for further examination.

Police say a copy of Mein Kampf was found at the man’s home.

The man was charged with four counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, and one count of intimidating a witness.

He also faces two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon in contravention of a weapons prohibition order, and one count of refusing to comply with an order to provide access to electronic data.

He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment for the prohibited weapons and data access offences, and was scheduled to appear before the NSW Bail Division Courts on Thursday 11 June.

The AFP’s counter terrorism Assistant Commissioner, Peter Crozier, said online criminal threats had real-life consequences, including jail time.

“The Royal Commission was established in response to acts of hatred and intolerance directed at members of our community.

Any continued intimidation or incitement of violence against individuals who are providing evidence to this inquiry is wholly intolerable,” Assistant Commissioner Crozier said.

“Using violence, threats or intimidation towards a witness in any proceeding, including before a royal commission, undermines important processes.

“People who believe they can threaten or harass people appearing before royal commissions, or before any sector of the judicial system need to be aware the AFP has the resources and technology to find you and bring you before the courts.”

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett announced the establishment of the National Security Investigations teams in October 2025 to target groups and individuals causing high levels of harm to Australia’s social cohesion.