Bill
Criminal Code Amendment (Inciting Illegal Disruptive Activities) Bill 2023
lapsed, as at 2025-07-21.
- Sponsor
- Antic
- Portfolio
- Not recorded
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2023-02-08
- second reading — 2023-02-08
- other — 2025-07-21
Divisions
No divisions recorded. Most questions are decided on the voices; this does not establish that a bill was unopposed.
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2023-02-08.
The bill would create three new federal offences for inciting trespass, property damage or theft, and blocking traffic in major business districts and cultural centres.
A person would commit an offence by using a telecommunications service to send or publish material intended to incite another person to commit those crimes in a major business area, which is defined as a central business district or another precinct that serves as a hub for business or culture.
The maximum penalty is 12 months imprisonment for inciting trespass or traffic obstruction, and 5 years for inciting property damage or theft, and the bill would exempt journalists reporting in the public interest and people acting under whistleblower protections.
- Introduce three new offences for inciting trespass, property damage or theft, and unlawful traffic obstruction in major business areas.
- Define 'major business area' as a central business district or another precinct that is a centre of significant business or cultural activity.
- Exempt journalists reporting in the public interest and whistleblowers protected by Commonwealth, state or territory law.
- Set maximum penalties of 12 months imprisonment for inciting trespass and traffic obstruction, and 5 years for inciting property damage or theft.
- Commence the whole Act the day after it receives Royal Assent.
People who use a carriage service to incite illegal disruptive activities in major business areas, and organisers who plan such activities online.
Sources
em
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