Teresa Angela van Lieshout pleads guilty to impersonating Governor-General, trying to overthrow federal government

A far-right would-be politician has admitted her role in an alleged plot to overthrow the government – and told a court she’s writing a book.

Teresa Angela Van Lieshout has pl out side Adelaide Magistrates Court. Ms Van Lieshout has been charged with falsely representing self to be a commonwealth public official, importing prohibited imports and attempting to commit an offence with imported prohibited imports. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / Emma Brasier

A far-right would-be politician has admitted impersonating the Governor-General and importing badges for a rival police force – but has told a court she is confessing “under duress” and is “writing a book”.

On Thursday, Commonwealth prosecutors told the Adelaide Magistrates Court their long-running case against Teresa Angela van Lieshout would resolve without a trial.

They said van Lieshout would plead guilty to her part in an alleged plot to overthrow the federal government.

Teresa Angela Van Lieshout outside Adelaide Magistrates Court during an earlier appearance. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

When read the charges, however, van Lieshout – wearing a black t-shirt with the slogan “freedom fighter” – responded in an unexpected manner.

“I plead guilty under duress, Your Honour,” she told Magistrate Simon Smart. “I plead guilty, but I’m writing a book.”

Prosecutors had alleged Ms van Lieshout, 49, of Peterborough, imported 470 fake police badges to recruit an “alternative” force and arrest the members of federal parliament.

They had further alleged individuals in several states were also part of the plan, which was allegedly foiled by an Australian Federal Police counter-terrorism operation.

Ms van Lieshout has run state and federal election campaigns for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party and as an independent.

Prosecutors and her previous counsel told the court Ms van Lieshout has a delusional disorder and should be sentenced to treatment, not prison.

Ms van Lieshout, however, told the court she does not accept that diagnosis and, after changing lawyers, insisted on taking the matter to trial.

On Thursday, Mr Smart said he could not accept van Lieshout’s pleas as entered.

“I’m concerned that your client is not entering a free and proper plea of guilty … it’s either ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’,” he said.

Counsel for van Lieshout apologised, saying “these are not the instructions I had” been given by his client.

Following a short adjournment, van Lieshout pleaded guilty to having falsely represented herself as Australia’s Governor-General in Victoria between February 26 and July 17, 2021.

She also pleaded guilty to having imported the fake AFP badges in Melbourne between May 27 and July 5, 2021.

Finally, van Lieshout pleaded guilty to attempting to import more badges in Melbourne between July 26 and 28, 2021.

Mr Smart remanded van Lieshout on continuing bail – under which she is banned from posting to social media or YouTube – to face sentencing submissions next month.

As she left the dock, van Lieshout said: “Wait until my book comes out, the government’s crimes against me are a thousand times worse than anything I’ve ever done or said.”