‘Real intent and hatred’: Details of Qld man’s alleged threat to kill Albanese revealed

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A Queensland man who allegedly posted online his intention to kill Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been refused bail as details of the threats were revealed in court.

It is alleged Norman Dean Lake, 40, posted “mark my words I will assassinate the Australian prime minister” on his Facebook account on September 19.

He is also alleged to have posted other comments declaring his intentions and changed his profile picture to an image of him looking through the scope of a rifle.

The court was told the photo was taken while Lake was taking part in an Australian Defence Force pathway course 15 years ago when he was trained to use the weapon.

The comments published on the post allegedly said, “have your laugh, all good, you’ll see. I have no reason to live, things will happen soon”, and, “watch the news in two weeks. You’ll see Albo, it’s coming, I’m ready to kill.”

Prosecutor Annabelle Bridgeland told the Brisbane Magistrates Court that NSW Crime Stoppers received an anonymous tip about the posts on September 30, and Lake was arrested on October 3.

The court heard Lake allegedly published the posts after drinking with some friends, and took down the posts the next morning.

Lake was represented by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, and appeared via video link.

The crime of using a carriage service to make a threat to kill can carry a maximum of 10 years in jail.

In delivering his decision, Magistrate Julian Noud said the current political climate must be considered.

“Gone are the days, if they existed, where such threats might be seen as the nonsensical behaviour of a disgruntled constituent,” he said.

“I consider that this offence is serious because primarily it involves a genuine threat of violence against a person, who happens to be the prime minister.”

He said it seemed the posts were made with “real intent and hatred”.

The matter will next be heard in the Redcliffe Magistrates Court on November 12.