A man in Far North Queensland has been charged with making threats that involve serious vilification and circumstances indicative of a hate crime.

The charges followed police investigations into reports of ideologically driven threats of violence that prompted community concern.

The individual is scheduled to appear in court on September 21.

Authorities have charged the 52-year-old with offenses related to “abusive, threatening, and antisemitic content” aimed at a religious organization, which has not been disclosed.

The arrest took place last Thursday along the Captain Cook Highway in the McAllister Range, located on the northern outskirts of Cairns. This action followed a search conducted by police at a property in Mossman, situated approximately 70 kilometers northwest of Cairns.

The man faces two counts of making threats, which police assert are aggravated by circumstances of serious vilification or hate crime, linked to the aforementioned abusive and antisemitic content.

Detective Superintendent Anthony Conway of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) noted that the investigation was prompted by reports of ideologically motivated threats of violence associated with the individual.

“Damage to social cohesion within local communities ultimately affects national security in Australia,” he stated. “We will not permit the spread of divisive and hateful discourse.”

Detective Superintendent Heath Hutchings from the Queensland Police Service (QPS) Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group emphasized the collaborative efforts of the QPS and AFP Hate Crime Team, which uncovered issues that could potentially jeopardize community safety.

“By merging the expertise, legal frameworks, and investigative resources of both agencies, we are in a stronger position to identify and tackle complex and evolving threats,” he remarked.

Ongoing investigations are being conducted, and the man is expected to face the charges for the first time at Cairns Magistrates Court on September 21.