‘I’m Team Australia’: Man allegedly threatened to kill PM after Bondi massacre

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Tait told awaiting media they were scavengers and said he could not comment on the alleged threats as his matter was before the court.

“I stand for Team Australia – nothing else,” he called out from across the road to the media pack.

“Love youse,” he added, blowing a kiss.

Tait had been arrested and charged once in December before police laid a second, similar charge on January 5, according to court documents.

The contents of Tait’s alleged threatening calls, aside from the alleged threats, remain unknown.

Sajid and Naveed Akram opened fire on Jewish families at Chanukah By The Sea on Bondi Beach on December 14, killing 15 people and injuring scores more in Australia’s worst terrorist attack.

The threats against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese were made the day after the Bondi massacre.

The threats against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese were made the day after the Bondi massacre.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The attack sent shockwaves through Australia, sparking debate about hate speech and gun reform, and demands for a royal commission. After weeks of pressure, the prime minister last week announced former High Court justice Virginia Bell would lead a royal commission into the attack.

In a separate hearing on Wednesday, neo-Nazi leader Joel Davis told a court he was employing a “philosophical term of art” when he allegedly directed supporters to “rhetorically rape” a federal politician.

Davis, 30, was arrested in November after he allegedly sent a menacing message which encouraged hate and abuse towards independent Wentworth MP Allegra Spender.

The National Socialist Network mouthpiece is accused of calling on his supporters to “rhetorically rape” the parliamentarian in a post on an encrypted online platform.

Joel Davis, pictured last year.

Joel Davis, pictured last year.Credit: Justin McManus

Police allege the threat came after Spender condemned the group for holding a police-authorised rally outside NSW parliament on November 8.

But Davis’ barrister Sebastian De Brennan argued there is an innocent explanation behind Davis’ social media post.

He faced the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday to apply for his client to be released on bail and tendered supporting documents, including a sworn statement.

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“The affidavit annexes some literature that goes some way, in my submission, to explaining that what he said on social media was, in fact, a philosophical term of art,” De Brennan said.

Davis has been in custody for nearly two months and his lawyer argued there is potential urgency to the bail application because of a change in his circumstances, “not least of which is delay”.

While the Crown prosecutor acknowledged there had been delays, she said a substantial brief of evidence was due to be served on De Brennan on Wednesday.

The magistrate noted the court was overloaded with 680 matters and would not be able to deal with Davis’ bail application, instead adjourning it to be heard on Thursday.

Davis’ bid for conditional bail comes as the National Socialist Network announced plans to disband this Sunday as a result of new hate speech laws triggered by the Bondi massacre.

Legislation set to be debated in parliament next week would give the government powers to proscribe hate groups that currently fall below terrorist listing thresholds.

The neo-Nazi organisation announced it would dissolve to avoid past and present members being prosecuted for recruiting people to spread racial hatred.

Organisers, supporters and recruiters of listed groups face a maximum of 15 years in prison under the proposed laws while members face seven.

AI Article