Former far-right political candidate Teresa van Lieshout claims mental health defence, but no illness, in ‘government overthrow’ case

This far-right former political candidate, accused of trying to overthrow the government, insists she’s of sound mind – but will take medication if it means getting bail.

A far-right political candidate may have a mental incompetence defence to charges she plotted to overthrow the government but does not accept she is mentally ill, a court has heard.

On Friday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court granted Teresa Angela van Lieshout electronically-monitored home detention bail under strict conditions.

Ms van Lieshout was banned from using the internet and social media to post videos or speak to her followers, who allegedly call her “the true governor-general” of Australia.

She must also make a weekly 200km round-trip, from Peterborough to Port Pirie, to check in with SA Police and have her mental health – now deemed “stable” – treated by doctors.

Teresa Angela van Lieshout outside the Perth Magistrates Court several years ago.

Magistrate Michelle Sutcliffe said she remained concerned Ms van Lieshout would refuse to take her medication and engage with doctors, given her insistence she was well.

But Ms van Lieshout – who called Clive Palmer “evil” after she was dumped as his WA candidate in 2013 – promised Ms Sutcliffe she would behave.

“I intend to report every week and go along with the treatment as well, just so that I can have home detention bail … I give you my 100 per cent assurance on that,” she said.

Ms van Lieshout, 49, has yet to plead to charges arising from federal counter-terrorism investigations into a viral video.

It allegedly shows a man, impersonating a senior Australian Federal Police officer, seeking to recruit an “alternative” police force.

Ms van Lieshout allegedly imported 470 fake badges from overseas for use by that force, and had online discussions about arresting politicians and public servants.

Ms van Lieshout in the video she posted as part of her campaign for a seat in WA. Picture: YouTube.

On Friday, Trish Johnson, for Ms van Lieshout, said doctors considered her client had a mental incompetence defence to the charges, meaning jail was “inappropriate” for her.

“It remains my client’s position that she does not accept she has a mental illness but she is aware that, if granted bail, she has no choice but to continue with medication,” she said.

Amelia McCormick, prosecuting, said she was not prepared to concede Ms van Lieshout was mentally incompetent.

She asked she be banned from speaking to Marcus Jensen – who has pleaded not guilty to similar charges – Shane Murphy, Jamie McBain and Sifu Uakusoljit while on bail.

“Jensen has been charged in WA in relation to his role in the offending,” she said.

“The other three people were allegedly referred to, my Ms van Lieshout, as ‘police commissioners’.”

Ms Sutcliffe remanded Ms van Lieshout on bail to face court again in April.