Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich has called on the NSW Government to fund a dedicated LGBTQ+ legal service following targeted death threats made against him.
It has been revealed that a man who sent death threats to the Australian Jewish Association also targeted Greenwich in a series of online posts in 2024 and 2025.
Craig Douglas Mitchell was charged with using a carriage service to threaten to kill and was sentenced to a 14-month jail term to be served in the community.
Using the name ‘Sive Eler’, Mitchell posted a series of threats on Greenwich’s official Facebook page, all related to LGBTIQA+ legislation. The posts were seen by Gay Sydney Daily.
In a statement to the court, Greenwich said the threats made him fear for his own safety and that of his family, prompting him to avoid public appearances.
“I have never been subject to such violent and visceral threats ever,” he wrote.
Greenwich said his status as a gay man had been weaponised against him and revealed he was in therapy due to the trauma caused by the abuse.
Magistrate Greg Grogin told the court the slurs and references to weapons and bullets “can only represent a man who had an intense hate” for people like Greenwich.
“Nobody, at any place, anywhere, should ever be the subject of such horrific and vile threats,” the magistrate said.
The case has renewed attention on the impact of online abuse, with Greenwich warning of growing dangers facing the LGBTQ+ community.
“Threats against our community are real, they cause harm, and we need to make sure our laws protect us — and LGBTQ people have access to justice,” he said.
While grateful for the support he received, Greenwich said many vulnerable LGBTQ+ people did not have the same safety net.
“I’m grateful for the support of the AFP, my legal team, family, and friends, but across NSW vulnerable LGBTQ people deal with this abuse without support. It’s time for the NSW Government to fund a dedicated LGBTQ legal service, as proposed by the Inner-City Legal Centre.”
The Inner-City Legal Centre has been urging the NSW Premier to properly fund a dedicated LGBTIQA+ community legal service, warning demand is overwhelming existing resources.
“Our staff and volunteers stretch every dollar to meet demand across the state. Without dedicated funding, we are forced to turn people away, leaving LGBTQIA+ people in regional and rural NSW without access to safe and culturally appropriate legal help,” said CEO Katie Green.
Greenwich also called on the government to release a long-awaited review of criminal law protections.
“With hate crimes on the rise, it’s time for the NSW Government to release and act on the Review of Criminal Law Protections Against the Incitement of Hatred by the Honourable John Sackar AM KC, which they have had since last November.”
The review, commissioned by the Minns Government, examined the state’s hate crime laws and protections for marginalised groups. While welcomed by equality advocates, the government has yet to respond publicly.
