A 74-year-old man was charged on Thursday with posting a bullet and threatening letter to Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.
The man was charged with stalking and using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.
Police alleged that the man sent the bullet and threatening letter to Joyce’s electoral office in the country town of Tamworth where it was opened by a staff worker on Nov. 6.
Police also alleged that the man made a threatening phone call to a private home on Dec. 22.
Authorities also alleged that the letter contained a message about the controversial Adani mine project, News Ltd reported.
The man was granted bail and is due to appear in court on Feb. 12.
The Indian company Adani plans to build Australia’s largest coal mine in central Queensland’s Galilee Basin.
The Australian government and the Queensland state government are both promoting the mine, saying it will generate thousands of jobs.
Opponents say the project will fuel global warming and destroy the Great Barrier Reef, which is already being damaged by warming oceans.
There are also concerns about Adani’s corporate track record, including allegations of involvement in bribery and money laundering.(dpa/NAN)