AFP Charges Neo-Nazi Figure, Joel Davis, Over Alleged Harassment of Parliamentarian

Joel Davis, a leading neo-Nazi in Australia, has been arrested after federal police linked him to an online campaign targeting a federal MP, Allegra Spender, following the National Socialist Network (NSN) rally outside NSW Parliament on 8 November.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) stopped Davis in Bondi on Thursday, 20 November, where they arrested the 30-year-old and confiscated his electronic devices.  

Authorities shared that the investigation stemmed from a message posted on an encrypted platform that allegedly urged supporters to bombard the federal parliamentarian with abusive and threatening messages. 

The neo-Nazi gathering outside of Parliament around 60 NSN members, the majority dressed in black, carrying banners, and chanting neo-Nazi slogans, including Davis chanting “blood and honour” from Hitler Youth. Davis’s antisemitic speech and behaviour during the rally drew immediate backlash and responses.

MP Allegra Spender’s reaction to the neo-Nazi rally and Davis’s response

Spender publicly criticised the neo-Nazi rally, with Davis urging members of an encrypted messaging chat group to “rhetorically rape” the Wentworth MP, alongside a link to an X post about information regarding the demonstration. 

Spender said that she’s “not easily intimidated”.

“It was pretty shocking and not something you ever want to hear but we’ve referred it to the police and I have a lot of confidence in the Australian Federal Police,” she told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Spender declined to comment to CityHub.

New leader of the NSW Liberals, Kellie Sloane also said she received threats around the same time and had reported them to the police.

“Individuals or groups who promote hatred and fear are eroding the social fabric of our community. There is no place for violent extremist views, and the AFP will defend and protect Australia and Australia’s future from these threats,” said AFP Detective Superintendent Jeremy Staunton.

The police confirmed their National Security Investigations (NSI) team linked Davis directly to the encrypted message. Authorities provided a search warrant for the Bondi residence, seizing devices believed to be connected to Davis and the group chat.

Davis has since been charged with one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend.

The AFP didn’t name Davis publicly, but his arrest was confirmed in a neo-Nazi group chat by NSN leader Thomas Sewell.

The state’s worry about NSN’s influence

The arrest follows growing concern over the NSN’s attempts to build public visibility.

The NSN promotes explicitly racist ideology, including mass deportations of non-white Australians. Davis has acted as one of the group’s prominent leaders, frequently live-streaming with senior members, posting long ideological comments, and speaking at public events. 

The propagandist recently revealed that the NSN plans to establish a “White Australia” political party in NSW and Victoria, conidering the NSW upper house a perfect target for this initiative.

“In NSW, in theory, we will get more preferences,” Davis told the Sydney Morning Herald. “That’s why we really want to be registered to contest this election in NSW.”

On 11 September 2025, Davis appeared at a Western Heritage Australia event inside the NSW Parliament House, asking about the advantages of racism and supremacy during the Q&A section. Organisers admitted they hadn’t screened the attendees beforehand.

NSW Police are reviewing whether the people at the rally broke any laws, including public incitement of racial hatred. 

“The AFP supports freedom of speech and political expression but let it be clear any alleged criminal behaviour, including threats and harassment, will not be tolerated,” said Detective Staunton. “The AFP takes all reports regarding the safety and security of parliamentarians seriously.”

Davis’s speech at the gathering contained false and discriminatory claims about antisemitic attacks on synagogues, and criticised Jewish organisations. He’s expected to face the NSW Bail Division Local Court today, Friday, 21 November.

The NSW government has this week introduced new legislation that would make public displays of Nazi ideology a criminal offence, carrying penalties of up to two years in prison and a $22,000 fine.