Man arrested for alleged kill threats towards Qld MP Dan Purdie, staff

A man has been arrested and faced a Sunshine Coast court for allegedly making threats to kill Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie.

Leader of the LNP David Crisafulli press conference with Rebecca Young LNP candidate for redlands and Dan Purdie Shadow Minister for Police (pictured) at the Redlands YMCA Picture Liam Kidston

A man has been charged over allegedly threatening to kill Queensland’s police minister.

Ninderry man Andrew John Schmidt, 56, faced the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon charged with one count of using a carriage service to menace harass or cause offence, and one count of using a carriage service to make a threat to kill.

The second charge related to an alleged threat to kill Dan Purdie, magistrate Rod Madsen said.

The alleged offender was arrested on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday and appeared in court via video link.

Police prosecutor Nick Nitschke said police opposed bail.

He said the matter involved significant public interest and his second charge related to an “aggravated situation”.

Mr Madsen said the second charge was a commonwealth offence which usually came with a criminal conviction if proven.

Mr Schmidt attempted to plead guilty with hopes he would be immediately sentenced and released.

“A lot of emotion is against this, against Dan,” he said.

He attempted to tell the court he was pleading guilty to the messages but not the “intent” before the magistrate cut him off.

Following Mr Schmidt’s words, Mr Madsen said he refused to take his plea before Mr Schmidt had talked to a lawyer and adjourned the matter to Friday.

He has been remanded in custody.

Mr Schmidt said he was “an honest person without intent” before the video link was cut off.

Mr Purdie said the safety of his staff was a priority.

“I want to thank the police for their diligent work but with the matter before the courts it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further,“ he said.

Originally published as Man arrested for alleged kill threats towards Qld MP Dan Purdie, staff