Joy 94.9FM was evacuated last night after a bomb threat during Beyond the Binary, a show for transgender youth.
Whether this was a direct threat against trans people, all GLBTI people or the station itself doesn’t matter, the fact the threat was made in the first place does.
With the Marriage Equality Plebiscite coming up, some have said this will lead to more open abuse against LGBTI people across the country. And perhaps this is the first shot, or perhaps it’s just the work of idiots with an internet connection. Their motives will remain opaque until such a time as they’re found and charged.
Because this is indeed a crime.
The commonwealth government Criminal Code Act 1995 states:
474.16 Using a carriage service for a hoax threat
A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person uses a carriage service to send a communication; and
(b) the person does so with the intention of inducing a false belief that an explosive, or a dangerous or harmful substance or thing, has been or will be left in any place.Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
So, to those who made the threat, we send you greetings and hope that you contact the police sooner rather than later to explain your actions. Please stand up and admit what you’ve done for everyone’s sake, most especially for yourself and your future.
Read the full story at The Age.
