Neo-Nazi Joel Davis granted bail after threats against female MPs and social media hate speech
Consensus Summary
Joel Davis a neo-Nazi leader was granted bail after four attempts following charges for allegedly inciting others to 'rhetorically rape' MP Allegra Spender in November 2024. Davis a key figure in the now-disbanded National Socialist Network had been in custody since his arrest and faced harsh conditions including segregation and limited access to showers. Both sources confirm his violent messages targeting multiple female politicians including threats of rape and physical assault but differ slightly on his age and the specifics of his interactions with the NSN. Police reviewed a neo-Nazi rally outside NSW Parliament and found no criminal offences despite antisemitic slogans. The case highlights ongoing tensions over hate speech laws and the governmentâs refusal to release a legal review into expanding protections for vulnerable communities.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Joel Davis, 30 or 31, is a prominent neo-Nazi figure charged with allegedly inciting others to 'rhetorically rape' federal MP Allegra Spender in November 2024.
- Davis was granted bail at the fourth attempt after being denied three times previously, with his latest hearing held in the NSW Supreme Court on 2024-03-28.
- Davis was arrested in November 2024 for allegedly posting on a neo-Nazi Telegram channel asking users to 'rhetorically rape' MP Allegra Spender, who condemned a neo-Nazi rally outside NSW Parliament.
- Davis was kept in segregation at Long Bay Jail due to his political beliefs, with reports stating he had not been outside since December 2023 and showered only every four days.
- Davis allegedly made additional violent messages, including 'We need a brutal rape of this c**t, he deserves rape' and 'Stupid bitch needs to be beaten fr' targeting MPs Kelly Sloane and Julie Inman Grant.
- Davis was a key public figure in the now-disbanded National Socialist Network (NSN) before its dissolution in January 2024 due to new hate group laws.
- Davisâs bail conditions include not posting on social media under his name or alias, living with his mother, and avoiding contact with Spender, Sloane, and their offices.
- NSW Police reviewed footage of a neo-Nazi rally outside NSW Parliament in November 2024 and found no criminal offences were committed, despite a banner reading 'Abolish the Jewish Lobby'.
- The Minns government has refused to release a legal review into hate speech laws, citing cabinet privilege, despite a parliamentary motion ordering its release.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Davisâs barrister Sebastian De Brennan argued Davis had 'time to reflect' on his views while in custody, citing a report from Justice Natalie Adams.
- Davis allegedly messaged NSN leader Jack Eltis, who responded that the 'rape comments' caused backlash and Davis claimed it was a 'throwaway line'.
- Davis was on bail from a South Australian court for allegedly displaying a Nazi symbol at the time of the Spender threat.
- The National Socialist Network (NSN) was disbanded prior to the federal governmentâs new hate group laws being introduced in 2024.
- Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated legal advice concluded the 'Abolish the Jewish Lobby' banner did not meet the technical threshold for a vilification offence.
- Davis told the court his sonâs birth made him realize the importance of not breaching bail.
- A third message referenced in court detailed Davis saying 'fags were seething' at him and that 'the whole point is to be provocative'.
- Davis claims he was using a 'philosophical term of art' in the 'rhetorical rape' comment, which prosecutors allege encouraged hate and abuse.
- Davisâs barrister Sebastian De Brennan argued the messages might be 'reviled or seen as extremely unpalatable' but their criminality was contested.
- A psychologistâs report determined Davis is on the 'precipice of change' regarding his extreme views, though he still holds them.
- Davis was barred from using an internet-capable phone or encrypted device under bail conditions.
- Davis was not yet entered a plea to the charges related to the alleged threats.
- Davisâs ally Thomas Sewell faced charges in Melbourne for allegedly behaving offensively in front of Chinaâs consulate in October 2024.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC reports Davis was 30 years old, while The Guardian states he is 31.
- ABC states Davis was denied bail three times in the local court before the Supreme Court hearing, while The Guardian does not specify the number of local court denials.
- ABC reports Davis was removed from the NSN by Jack Eltis after the 'rhetorical rape' comments, but The Guardian does not mention this detail.
- ABC includes a direct quote from Davisâs reply to Eltis about the 'rape comments' being a 'throwaway line,' which is not present in The Guardian.
- The Guardian states Davisâs barrister argued the messages were 'extremely unpalatable' but not necessarily criminal, while ABC focuses more on the violent content of the messages.
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