Criminal Code Act 1995
No. 12, 1995
Compilation No. 163
Compilation date: 25 October 2024
Includes amendments: Act No. 93, 2024
This compilation is in 2 volumes
Volume 1: sections 1–5
Schedule (sections 1.1–261.3)
Volume 2: Schedule (sections 268.1–490.7)
Schedule (Dictionary)
Endnotes
Each volume has its own contents
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Criminal Code Act 1995 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 25 October 2024 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 The Criminal Code
3A External Territories
3B Offshore installations
4 Definitions
5 Regulations
Schedule—The Criminal Code
Chapter 1—Codification
Division 1
1.1 Codification
Chapter 2—General principles of criminal responsibility
Part 2.1—Purpose and application
Division 2
2.1 Purpose
2.2 Application
2.3 Application of provisions relating to intoxication
Part 2.2—The elements of an offence
Division 3—General
3.1 Elements
3.2 Establishing guilt in respect of offences
Division 4—Physical elements
4.1 Physical elements
4.2 Voluntariness
4.3 Omissions
Division 5—Fault elements
5.1 Fault elements
5.2 Intention
5.3 Knowledge
5.4 Recklessness
5.5 Negligence
5.6 Offences that do not specify fault elements
Division 6—Cases where fault elements are not required
6.1 Strict liability
6.2 Absolute liability
Part 2.3—Circumstances in which there is no criminal responsibility
Division 7—Circumstances involving lack of capacity
7.1 Children under 10
7.2 Children over 10 but under 14
7.3 Mental impairment
Division 8—Intoxication
8.1 Definition—self‑induced intoxication
8.2 Intoxication (offences involving basic intent)
8.3 Intoxication (negligence as fault element)
8.4 Intoxication (relevance to defences)
8.5 Involuntary intoxication
Division 9—Circumstances involving mistake or ignorance
9.1 Mistake or ignorance of fact (fault elements other than negligence)
9.2 Mistake of fact (strict liability)
9.3 Mistake or ignorance of statute law
9.4 Mistake or ignorance of subordinate legislation
9.5 Claim of right
Division 10—Circumstances involving external factors
10.1 Intervening conduct or event
10.2 Duress
10.3 Sudden or extraordinary emergency
10.4 Self‑defence
10.5 Lawful authority
Part 2.4—Extensions of criminal responsibility
Division 11
11.1 Attempt
11.2 Complicity and common purpose
11.2A Joint commission
11.3 Commission by proxy
11.4 Incitement
11.5 Conspiracy
11.6 References in Acts to offences
Part 2.5—Corporate criminal responsibility
Division 12
12.1 General principles
12.2 Physical elements
12.3 Fault elements other than negligence
12.4 Negligence
12.5 Mistake of fact (strict liability)
12.6 Intervening conduct or event
Part 2.6—Proof of criminal responsibility
Division 13
13.1 Legal burden of proof—prosecution
13.2 Standard of proof—prosecution
13.3 Evidential burden of proof—defence
13.4 Legal burden of proof—defence
13.5 Standard of proof—defence
13.6 Use of averments
Part 2.7—Geographical jurisdiction
Division 14—Standard geographical jurisdiction
14.1 Standard geographical jurisdiction
Division 15—Extended geographical jurisdiction
15.1 Extended geographical jurisdiction—category A
15.2 Extended geographical jurisdiction—category B
15.3 Extended geographical jurisdiction—category C
15.4 Extended geographical jurisdiction—category D
Division 16—Miscellaneous
16.1 Attorney‑General’s consent required for prosecution if alleged conduct occurs wholly in a foreign country in certain circumstances
16.2 When conduct taken to occur partly in Australia
16.3 Meaning of Australia
16.4 Result of conduct
Chapter 4—The integrity and security of the international community and foreign governments
Division 70—Bribery of foreign public officials
Subdivision A—Definitions
70.1 Definitions
Subdivision B—Bribery of foreign public officials
70.2 Bribing a foreign public official
70.2A Improper influence
70.3 Defence—conduct lawful in foreign public official’s country
70.4 Defence—facilitation payments
70.5 Territorial and nationality requirements
Subdivision C—Failure to prevent bribery of foreign public officials
70.5A Failing to prevent bribery of a foreign public official
70.5B Guidance on preventing bribery of foreign public officials
Subdivision D—Miscellaneous
70.5C Meaning of annual turnover
70.5D Related bodies corporate
70.6 Saving of other laws
Division 71—Offences against United Nations and associated personnel
71.1 Purpose
71.2 Murder of a UN or associated person
71.3 Manslaughter of a UN or associated person
71.4 Intentionally causing serious harm to a UN or associated person
71.5 Recklessly causing serious harm to a UN or associated person
71.6 Intentionally causing harm to a UN or associated person
71.7 Recklessly causing harm to a UN or associated person
71.8 Unlawful sexual penetration
71.9 Kidnapping a UN or associated person
71.10 Unlawful detention of UN or associated person
71.11 Intentionally causing damage to UN or associated person’s property etc.
71.12 Threatening to commit other offences
71.13 Aggravated offences
71.14 Defence—activities involving serious harm
71.15 Defence—medical or hygienic procedures
71.16 Jurisdictional requirement
71.17 Exclusion of this Division if State/Territory laws provide for corresponding offences
71.18 Double jeopardy
71.19 Saving of other laws
71.20 Bringing proceedings under this Division
71.21 Ministerial certificates relating to proceedings
71.22 Jurisdiction of State courts preserved
71.23 Definitions
Division 72—Explosives and lethal devices
Subdivision A—International terrorist activities using explosive or lethal devices
72.1 Purpose
72.2 ADF members not liable for prosecution
72.3 Offences
72.4 Jurisdictional requirement
72.5 Saving of other laws
72.6 Double jeopardy and foreign offences
72.7 Bringing proceedings under this Subdivision
72.8 Ministerial certificates relating to proceedings
72.9 Jurisdiction of State courts preserved
72.10 Definitions
Subdivision B—Plastic explosives
72.11 Purpose
72.12 Trafficking in unmarked plastic explosives etc.
72.13 Importing or exporting unmarked plastic explosives etc.
72.14 Manufacturing unmarked plastic explosives etc.
72.15 Possessing unmarked plastic explosives etc.
72.16 Defences
72.17 Packaging requirements for plastic explosives
72.18 Authorisation for research etc.
72.19 Authorisation for defence and police purposes—15 year limit
72.22 Authorisation for overseas defence purposes—7 day limit
72.23 Authorisation for overseas Australian Federal Police purposes—7 day limit
72.24 Forfeited plastic explosives
72.25 Surrendered plastic explosives
72.26 Destruction of plastic explosives obtained overseas for defence purposes
72.27 Destruction of plastic explosives obtained overseas for Australian Federal Police purposes
72.28 Delegation by AFP Minister
72.29 Delegation by Minister for Defence
72.30 Review by Administrative Review Tribunal of authorisation decisions
72.31 Geographical jurisdiction
72.32 Saving of other laws
72.33 Marking requirements
72.34 Detection agents and minimum manufacture concentrations
72.35 Presumption as to concentration of detection agent
72.36 Definitions
Subdivision C—Cluster munitions and explosive bomblets
72.37 Purpose
72.38 Offences relating to cluster munitions
72.39 Defence—acquisition or retention authorised by Defence Minister
72.40 Defence—transfer for destruction etc.
72.41 Defence—acts by Australians in military cooperation with countries not party to Convention on Cluster Munitions
72.42 Defence—acts by military personnel of countries not party to Convention on Cluster Munitions
72.43 Forfeiture of cluster munition
72.44 Application of this Subdivision to explosive bomblets
72.45 Definitions
Division 73—People smuggling and related offences
Subdivision A—People smuggling offences
73.1 Offence of people smuggling
73.2 Aggravated offence of people smuggling (danger of death or serious harm etc.)
73.3 Aggravated offence of people smuggling (at least 5 people)
73.3A Supporting the offence of people smuggling
73.4 Jurisdictional requirement
73.5 Attorney‑General’s consent required
Subdivision B—Document offences related to people smuggling and unlawful entry into foreign countries
73.6 Meaning of travel or identity document
73.7 Meaning of false travel or identity document
73.8 Making, providing or possessing a false travel or identity document
73.9 Providing or possessing a travel or identity document issued or altered dishonestly or as a result of threats
73.10 Providing or possessing a travel or identity document to be used by a person who is not the rightful user
73.11 Taking possession of or destroying another person’s travel or identity document
73.12 Jurisdictional requirement
Chapter 5—The security of the Commonwealth
Part 5.1—Treason and related offences
Division 80—Treason, urging violence, advocating terrorism or genocide, and prohibited symbols and Nazi salute
Subdivision A—Preliminary
80.1A Definitions
80.1AAA Expressions also used in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979
Subdivision B—Treason
80.1 Treason
80.1AA Treason—assisting enemy to engage in armed conflict
80.1AB Proclamation of enemy engaged in armed conflict
80.1AC Treachery
Subdivision C—Urging violence and advocating terrorism or genocide
80.2 Urging violence against the Constitution etc.
80.2A Urging violence against groups
80.2B Urging violence against members of groups
80.2C Advocating terrorism
80.2D Advocating genocide
Subdivision CA—Publicly displaying, and trading in, prohibited symbols and giving Nazi salute
80.2E Prohibited symbols
80.2F Meaning of displayed in a public place
80.2FA Meaning of makes a gesture in a public place
80.2G Meaning of trades
80.2H Public display of prohibited Nazi symbols or giving Nazi salute
80.2HA Public display of prohibited terrorist organisation symbols
80.2J Trading in prohibited Nazi symbols
80.2JA Trading in prohibited terrorist organisation symbols
80.2K Directions to cease display of prohibited symbols in public
80.2L Directions to cease display of prohibited symbols in public—person to whom, and form in which, direction may be given
80.2M Directions to cease display of prohibited symbols in public—offence
Subdivision D—Common provisions
80.3 Defence for acts done in good faith
80.4 Extended geographical jurisdiction for offences
80.6 Division not intended to exclude State or Territory law
Division 82—Sabotage
Subdivision A—Preliminary
82.1 Definitions
82.2 Public infrastructure
82.2A Expressions also used in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979
Subdivision B—Offences
82.3 Offence of sabotage involving foreign principal with intention as to national security
82.4 Offence of sabotage involving foreign principal reckless as to national security
82.5 Offence of sabotage with intention as to national security
82.6 Offence of sabotage reckless as to national security
82.7 Offence of introducing vulnerability with intention as to national security
82.8 Offence of introducing vulnerability reckless as to national security
82.9 Preparing for or planning sabotage offence
82.10 Defences
82.11 Geographical jurisdiction
82.12 Alternative verdicts
82.13 Consent of Attorney‑General required for prosecutions
Division 83—Other threats to security
83.1A Expressions also used in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979
83.1 Advocating mutiny
83.2 Assisting prisoners of war to escape
83.3 Military‑style training involving foreign government principal etc.
83.4 Interference with political rights and duties
83.5 Consent of Attorney‑General required for prosecutions
Part 5.2—Espionage and related offences
Division 90—Preliminary
90.1 Definitions
90.2 Definition of foreign principal
90.3 Definition of foreign government principal
90.4 Definition of national security
90.5 Definition of security classification
90.6 Expressions also used in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979
Division 91—Espionage
Subdivision A—Espionage
91.1 Espionage—dealing with information etc. concerning national security which is or will be communicated or made available to foreign principal
91.2 Espionage—dealing with information etc. which is or will be communicated or made available to foreign principal
91.3 Espionage—security classified information etc.
91.4 Defences
91.5 Matters affecting sentencing for offence against subsection 91.1(1)
91.6 Aggravated espionage offence
91.7 Geographical jurisdiction
Subdivision B—Espionage on behalf of foreign principal
91.8 Espionage on behalf of foreign principal
91.9 Defences
91.10 Geographical jurisdiction
Subdivision C—Espionage‑related offences
91.11 Offence of soliciting or procuring an espionage offence or making it easier to do so
91.12 Offence of preparing for an espionage offence
91.13 Defences
91.14 Geographical jurisdiction
Division 92—Foreign interference
Subdivision A—Preliminary
92.1 Definitions
Subdivision B—Foreign interference
92.2 Offence of intentional foreign interference
92.3 Offence of reckless foreign interference
92.4 Offence of preparing for a foreign interference offence
92.5 Defence
92.6 Geographical jurisdiction
Subdivision C—Foreign interference involving foreign intelligence agencies
92.7 Knowingly supporting foreign intelligence agency
92.8 Recklessly supporting foreign intelligence agency
92.9 Knowingly funding or being funded by foreign intelligence agency
92.10 Recklessly funding or being funded by foreign intelligence agency
92.11 Defence
Division 92A—Theft of trade secrets involving foreign government principal
92A.1 Theft of trade secrets involving foreign government principal
92A.2 Geographical jurisdiction
Division 93—Prosecutions and hearings
93.1 Consent of Attorney‑General required for prosecutions
93.2 Hearing in camera etc.
93.4 Fault elements for attempted espionage offences
93.5 Alternative verdicts
Division 94—Forfeiture
94.1 Forfeiture of articles etc.
Part 5.3—Terrorism
Division 100—Preliminary
100.1 Definitions
100.2 Referring States
100.3 Constitutional basis for the operation of this Part
100.4 Application of provisions
100.5 Application of Acts Interpretation Act 1901
100.6 Concurrent operation intended
100.7 Regulations may modify operation of this Part to deal with interaction between this Part and State and Territory laws
100.8 Approval for changes to or affecting this Part
Division 101—Terrorism
101.1 Terrorist acts
101.2 Providing or receiving training connected with terrorist acts
101.4 Possessing things connected with terrorist acts
101.5 Collecting or making documents likely to facilitate terrorist acts
101.6 Other acts done in preparation for, or planning, terrorist acts
Division 102—Terrorist organisations
Subdivision A—Definitions
102.1 Definitions
102.1AA Including or removing names of prescribed terrorist organisations
102.1A Reviews by Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security
Subdivision B—Offences
102.2 Directing the activities of a terrorist organisation
102.3 Membership of a terrorist organisation
102.4 Recruiting for a terrorist organisation
102.5 Training involving a terrorist organisation
102.6 Getting funds to, from or for a terrorist organisation
102.7 Providing support to a terrorist organisation
102.8 Associating with terrorist organisations
Subdivision C—General provisions relating to offences
102.9 Extended geographical jurisdiction for offences
102.10 Alternative verdicts
Division 103—Financing terrorism
103.1 Financing terrorism
103.2 Financing a terrorist
103.3 Extended geographical jurisdiction for offences
Division 104—Control orders
Subdivision A—Objects of this Division
104.1 Objects of this Division
Subdivision B—Making an interim control order
104.2 AFP Minister’s consent to request an interim control order
104.3 Requesting the court to make an interim control order
104.4 Making an interim control order
104.5 Terms of an interim control order
104.5A Conditions of an interim control order
104.5B Conditions where exemptions may be granted
104.5C Treatment of photographs and impressions of fingerprints
104.5D Obligations relating to monitoring devices
Subdivision C—Making an urgent interim control order
104.6 Requesting an urgent interim control order by electronic means
104.7 Making an urgent interim control order by electronic means
104.8 Requesting an urgent interim control order in person
104.9 Making an urgent interim control order in person
104.10 Obtaining the AFP Minister’s consent within 8 hours
104.11 Court to assume that exercise of power not authorised by urgent interim control order
Subdivision D—Confirming an interim control order
104.12 Service, explanation and notification of an interim control order
104.12A Election to confirm control order
104.13 Lawyer may request a copy of an interim control order
104.14 Confirming an interim control order
104.15 Effect of confirmation process on interim control orders
104.16 Terms of a confirmed control order
104.17 Service of a declaration, or a revocation, variation or confirmation of a control order
104.17A Cessation of a control order if post‑sentence order made
Subdivision E—Rights in respect of a control order
104.18 Application by the person for a revocation or variation of a control order
104.19 Application by the AFP Commissioner for a revocation or variation of a control order
104.20 Revocation or variation of a control order on application by the person or the AFP Commissioner
104.21 Lawyer may request a copy of a control order
Subdivision EA—Varying a control order by consent
104.22 Varying control order by consent
Subdivision F—Adding conditions to a control order
104.23 Application by the AFP Commissioner for addition of conditions
104.24 Varying a control order
104.25 Terms of a varied control order
104.26 Service and explanation of a varied control order
Subdivision G—Offences relating to control orders
104.27 Offence for contravening a control order
104.27A Offence relating to monitoring devices
Subdivision H—Special rules for young people (14 to 17)
104.28 Special rules for young people
Subdivision I—Miscellaneous
104.28A Interlocutory proceedings
104.28AA Costs in control order proceedings
104.28B Giving documents to persons detained in custody
104.28C Sharing information relating to electronic monitoring
104.28D Arrangements for electronic monitoring and other functions and powers
104.29 Reporting requirements
104.30 Requirement to notify AFP Minister of declarations, revocations or variations
104.31 Queensland public interest monitor functions and powers not affected
104.32 Sunset provision
Division 105—Preventative detention orders
Subdivision A—Preliminary
105.1 Object
105.2 Issuing authorities for continued preventative detention orders
105.3 Police officer detaining person under a preventative detention order
Subdivision B—Preventative detention orders
105.4 Basis for applying for, and making, preventative detention orders
105.5 No preventative detention order in relation to person under 16 years of age
105.5A Special assistance for person with inadequate knowledge of English language or disability
105.6 Restrictions on multiple preventative detention orders
105.7 Application for initial preventative detention order
105.8 Senior AFP member may make initial preventative detention order
105.9 Duration of initial preventative detention order
105.10 Extension of initial preventative detention order
105.10A Notice of application for continued preventative detention order
105.11 Application for continued preventative detention order
105.12 Judge or retired judge may make continued preventative detention order
105.13 Duration of continued preventative detention order
105.14 Extension of continued preventative detention order
105.14A Basis for applying for, and making, prohibited contact order
105.15 Prohibited contact order (person in relation to whom preventative detention order is being sought)
105.16 Prohibited contact order (person in relation to whom preventative detention order is already in force)
105.17 Revocation of preventative detention order or prohibited contact order
105.18 Status of person making continued preventative detention order
Subdivision C—Carrying out preventative detention orders
105.19 Power to detain person under preventative detention order
105.20 Endorsement of order with date and time person taken into custody
105.21 Requirement to provide name etc.
105.22 Power to enter premises
105.23 Power to conduct a frisk search
105.24 Power to conduct an ordinary search
105.25 Warrant under Division 3 of Part III of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979
105.26 Release of person from preventative detention
105.27 Arrangement for detainee to be held in State or Territory prison or remand centre
Subdivision D—Informing person detained about preventative detention order
105.28 Effect of initial preventative detention order to be explained to person detained
105.29 Effect of continued preventative detention order to be explained to person detained
105.30 Person being detained to be informed of extension of preventative detention order
105.31 Compliance with obligations to inform
105.32 Copy of preventative detention order
Subdivision E—Treatment of person detained
105.33 Humane treatment of person being detained
105.33A Detention of persons under 18
105.34 Restriction on contact with other people
105.35 Contacting family members etc.
105.36 Contacting Ombudsman etc.
105.37 Contacting lawyer
105.38 Monitoring contact under section 105.35 or 105.37
105.39 Special contact rules for person under 18 or incapable of managing own affairs
105.40 Entitlement to contact subject to prohibited contact order
105.41 Disclosure offences
105.42 Questioning of person prohibited while person is detained
105.43 Taking fingerprints, recordings, samples of handwriting or photographs
105.44 Use of identification material
105.45 Offences of contravening safeguards
Subdivision F—Miscellaneous
105.46 Nature of functions of Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)
105.47 Annual report
105.48 Certain functions and powers not affected
105.49 Queensland public interest monitor functions and powers not affected
105.50 Law relating to legal professional privilege not affected
105.51 Legal proceedings in relation to preventative detention orders
105.52 Review by State and Territory courts
105.53 Sunset provision
Division 105A—Post‑sentence orders
Subdivision A—Object and definitions
105A.1 Object
105A.2 Definitions
105A.2A Persons who have escaped from custody
Subdivision B—Post‑sentence orders
105A.3 Who a post‑sentence order may apply to and effect of post‑sentence orders
105A.3A Preconditions for post‑sentence orders
105A.4 Treatment of a terrorist offender in a prison under a continuing detention order
Subdivision C—Making post‑sentence orders
105A.5 Applying for a post‑sentence order
105A.6 Appointment of and assessment by relevant expert
105A.6A Determining an application for a post‑sentence order
105A.6B Matters a Court must have regard to in making a post‑sentence order
105A.7 Making a continuing detention order
105A.7A Making an extended supervision order
105A.7B Conditions of extended supervision orders and interim supervision orders
105A.7C Conditions where exemptions may be granted
105A.7D Treatment of photographs and impressions of fingerprints
105A.7E Obligations relating to monitoring devices
105A.7F Copy of an extended supervision order etc. must be given to terrorist offender’s lawyer
Subdivision CA—Making interim post‑sentence orders
105A.9 Interim detention orders
105A.9A Interim supervision orders
Subdivision CB—Varying an extended supervision order or interim supervision order
105A.9B Application for variations of extended supervision orders and interim supervision orders
105A.9C Varying an extended supervision order or interim supervision order (other than by consent)
105A.9D Varying extended supervision order or interim supervision order by consent
105A.9E Terms of a varied extended supervision order or interim supervision order
Subdivision D—Review of post‑sentence order
105A.10 Periodic review of post‑sentence order
105A.11 Review of post‑sentence order on application
105A.12 Process for reviewing a post‑sentence order
105A.12A Varying post‑sentence orders after review
Subdivision E—Provisions relating to post‑sentence order proceedings
105A.13 Civil evidence and procedure rules in relation to post‑sentence order proceedings
105A.14 Adducing evidence and making submissions
105A.14A Giving copies of applications etc. to terrorist offenders
105A.14B Information excluded from application or material—national security information
105A.14C Information excluded from application or material—public interest immunity
105A.14D Information excluded from application and material—terrorism material
105A.15 Giving documents to terrorist offenders who are in custody
105A.15A When a terrorist offender is unable to engage a legal representative
105A.16 Reasons for decisions
105A.17 Right of appeal
105A.18 Consequences of sentences ending or orders ceasing to be in force
105A.18AA Persons in non‑prison custody taken to be in the community
Subdivision EA—Offences relating to extended supervision orders and interim supervision orders
105A.18A Offence for contravening an extended supervision order or an interim supervision order
105A.18B Offence relating to monitoring devices
Subdivision F—Miscellaneous
105A.18C Effect of prison detention on post‑sentence order
105A.18D AFP Minister may direct terrorist offenders to be assessed
105A.19 Sharing information
105A.19A Sharing information relating to supervision orders
105A.20 Delegation by the AFP Minister
105A.21 Arrangement with States and Territories
105A.21A Arrangements by Australian Federal Police Commissioner for functions and powers relating to supervision orders
105A.22 Annual report
105A.23 Warning about post‑sentence orders when sentencing for certain offences
105A.24 Effect of continuing detention orders on bail or parole laws
105A.25 Sunset provision
Division 106—Transitional provisions
106.1 Saving—regulations originally made for the purposes of paragraph (c) of the definition of terrorist organisation
106.2 Saving—regulations made for the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of terrorist organisation
106.3 Application provision
106.4 Saving—Judges of the Federal Circuit Court
106.5 Application provisions for certain amendments in the Counter‑Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Act 2014
106.6 Application provisions for certain amendments in the Counter‑Terrorism Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2014
106.7 Application provision for certain amendments in the Counter‑Terrorism Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2016
106.8 Application provision for amendments in the Criminal Code Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Act 2016
106.9 Application—Counter‑Terrorism Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2018
106.10 Application—Counter‑Terrorism Legislation Amendment (2019 Measures No. 1) Act 2019
106.11 Application provision for certain amendments in the Counter‑Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Act 2021
106.12 Application provision for certain amendments in the Counter‑Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Act 2023
106.13 Application and transitional—Counter‑Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023
Part 5.4—Harming Australians
Division 115—Harming Australians
115.1 Murder of an Australian citizen or a resident of Australia
115.2 Manslaughter of an Australian citizen or a resident of Australia
115.3 Intentionally causing serious harm to an Australian citizen or a resident of Australia
115.4 Recklessly causing serious harm to an Australian citizen or a resident of Australia
115.5 Saving of other laws
115.6 Bringing proceedings under this Division
115.7 Ministerial certificates relating to proceedings
115.8 Geographical jurisdiction
115.9 Meaning of causes death or harm
Part 5.5—Foreign incursions and recruitment
Division 117—Preliminary
117.1 Definitions
117.2 Extended geographical jurisdiction—category D
Division 119—Foreign incursions and recruitment
119.1 Incursions into foreign countries with the intention of engaging in hostile activities
119.2 Entering, or remaining in, declared areas
119.3 Declaration of areas for the purposes of section 119.2
119.4 Preparations for incursions into foreign countries for purpose of engaging in hostile activities
119.5 Allowing use of buildings, vessels and aircraft to commit offences
119.6 Recruiting persons to join organisations engaged in hostile activities against foreign governments
119.7 Recruiting persons to serve in or with an armed force in a foreign country
119.8 Declaration in relation to specified armed forces
119.9 Exception—conduct for defence or international relations of Australia
119.10 Mode of trial
119.11 Consent of Attorney‑General required for prosecutions
119.12 Declarations for the purposes of proceedings
Part 5.6—Secrecy of information
Division 121—Preliminary
121.1 Definitions
121.2 Definition of proper place of custody
Division 122—Secrecy of information
122.1 Communication and other dealings with inherently harmful information by current and former Commonwealth officers etc.
122.2 Conduct by current and former Commonwealth officers etc. causing harm to Australia’s interests
122.3 Aggravated offence
122.4 Unauthorised disclosure of information by current and former Commonwealth officers etc.
122.4A Communicating and dealing with information by non‑Commonwealth officers etc.
122.5 Defences
Division 123—Miscellaneous
123.1 Injunctions
123.2 Forfeiture of articles etc.
123.3 Extended geographical jurisdiction—category D
123.4 Effect of this Part on other rights, privileges, immunities or defences
123.5 Requirements before proceedings can be initiated
Chapter 7—The proper administration of Government
Part 7.1—Preliminary
Division 130—Preliminary
130.1 Definitions
130.2 When property belongs to a person
130.3 Dishonesty
130.4 Determination of dishonesty to be a matter for the trier of fact
Part 7.2—Theft and other property offences
Division 131—Theft
131.1 Theft
131.2 Special rules about the meaning of dishonesty
131.3 Appropriation of property
131.4 Theft of land or things forming part of land
131.5 Trust property
131.6 Obligation to deal with property in a particular way
131.7 Property obtained because of fundamental mistake
131.8 Property of a corporation sole
131.9 Property belonging to 2 or more persons
131.10 Intention of permanently depriving a person of property
131.11 General deficiency
Division 132—Other property offences
132.1 Receiving
132.2 Robbery
132.3 Aggravated robbery
132.4 Burglary
132.5 Aggravated burglary
132.6 Making off without payment
132.7 Going equipped for theft or a property offence
132.8 Dishonest taking or retention of property
132.8A Damaging Commonwealth property
132.9 Geographical jurisdiction
Part 7.3—Fraudulent conduct
Division 133—Preliminary
133.1 Definitions
Division 134—Obtaining property or a financial advantage by deception
134.1 Obtaining property by deception
134.2 Obtaining a financial advantage by deception
134.3 Geographical jurisdiction
Division 135—Other offences involving fraudulent conduct
135.1 General dishonesty
135.2 Obtaining financial advantage
135.4 Conspiracy to defraud
135.5 Geographical jurisdiction
Part 7.4—False or misleading statements
Division 136—False or misleading statements in applications
136.1 False or misleading statements in applications
Division 137—False or misleading information or documents
137.1 False or misleading information
137.1A Aggravated offence for giving false or misleading information
137.2 False or misleading documents
137.3 Geographical jurisdiction
Part 7.5—Unwarranted demands
Division 138—Preliminary
138.1 Unwarranted demand with menaces
138.2 Menaces
Division 139—Unwarranted demands
139.1 Unwarranted demands of a Commonwealth public official
139.2 Unwarranted demands made by a Commonwealth public official
139.3 Geographical jurisdiction
Part 7.6—Bribery and related offences
Division 140—Preliminary
140.1 Definition
140.2 Obtaining
Division 141—Bribery
141.1 Bribery of a Commonwealth public official
Division 142—Offences relating to bribery
142.1 Corrupting benefits given to, or received by, a Commonwealth public official
142.2 Abuse of public office
142.3 Geographical jurisdiction
Part 7.7—Forgery and related offences
Division 143—Preliminary
143.1 Definitions
143.2 False documents
143.3 False Commonwealth documents
143.4 Inducing acceptance of false documents
Division 144—Forgery
144.1 Forgery
Division 145—Offences relating to forgery
145.1 Using forged document
145.2 Possession of forged document
145.3 Possession, making or adaptation of devices etc. for making forgeries
145.4 Falsification of documents etc.
145.5 Giving information derived from false or misleading documents
145.6 Geographical jurisdiction
Part 7.8—Causing harm to or obstructing Commonwealth public officials and impersonating Commonwealth public officials or bodies
Division 146—Preliminary
146.1 Definitions
146.2 Causing harm
Division 147—Causing harm to Commonwealth public officials
147.1 Causing harm to a Commonwealth public official etc.
147.2 Threatening to cause harm to a Commonwealth public official etc.
147.3 Geographical jurisdiction
Division 148—Impersonation of Commonwealth public officials
148.1 Impersonation of an official by a non‑official
148.2 Impersonation of an official by another official
148.3 Geographical jurisdiction
Division 149—Obstruction of Commonwealth public officials
149.1 Obstruction of Commonwealth public officials
Division 150—False representations in relation to a Commonwealth body
Subdivision A—Offences
150.1 False representations in relation to a Commonwealth body
Subdivision B—Injunctions
150.5 Injunctions
Part 7.20—Miscellaneous
Division 261—Miscellaneous
261.1 Saving of other laws
261.2 Contempt of court
261.3 Ancillary offences
An Act relating to the criminal law
This Act may be cited as the Criminal Code Act 1995.
(1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act commences on a day to be fixed by Proclamation.
(2) If this Act does not commence under subsection (1) within the period of 5 years beginning on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent, it commences on the first day after the end of that period.
(1) The Schedule has effect as a law of the Commonwealth.
(2) The Schedule may be cited as the Criminal Code.
The Criminal Code extends to every external Territory.
Unless the contrary intention appears, an installation (within the meaning of the Customs Act 1901) that is deemed by section 5C of the Customs Act 1901 to be part of Australia is also taken to be part of Australia for the purposes of the Criminal Code.
(1) Expressions used in the Code (or in a particular provision of the Code) that are defined in the Dictionary at the end of the Code have the meanings given to them in the Dictionary.
(2) Definitions in the Code of expressions used in the Code apply to its construction except insofar as the context or subject matter otherwise indicates or requires.
(1) The Governor‑General may make regulations prescribing matters:
(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or
(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.
(2) For the purposes of the Legislation Act 2003, the Minister administering the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 is the rule‑maker for regulations made for the purposes of the following provisions of the Criminal Code:
(a) Division 71 (offences against United Nations and associated personnel);
(b) Division 72 (explosives and lethal devices);
(c) Division 73 (people smuggling and related offences);
(d) Part 5.1 (treason and related offences);
(e) Part 5.2 (espionage and related offences);
(f) Part 5.3 (terrorism), other than Division 100 (preliminary provisions);
(g) Part 5.4 (harming Australians);
(h) Part 5.5 (foreign incursions and recruitment);
(i) Division 270 (slavery and slavery‑like conditions);
(j) Division 271 (trafficking in persons and debt bondage);
(k) Division 272 (child sex offences outside Australia);
(l) Division 273 (offences involving child abuse material outside Australia);
(la) Division 273A (possession of child‑like sex dolls etc.);
(lb) Division 273B (protection of children);
(m) Chapter 9 (dangers to the community);
(n) Chapter 10 (national infrastructure).
(3) Subsection (2) applies despite subsection 6(1) of the Legislation Act 2003.
Section 3
The only offences against laws of the Commonwealth are those offences created by, or under the authority of, this Code or any other Act.
Note: Under subsection 38(1) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, Act means an Act passed by the Parliament of the Commonwealth.
Chapter 2—General principles of criminal responsibility
Part 2.1—Purpose and application
The purpose of this Chapter is to codify the general principles of criminal responsibility under laws of the Commonwealth. It contains all the general principles of criminal responsibility that apply to any offence, irrespective of how the offence is created.
(1) This Chapter applies to all offences against this Code.
(2) Subject to section 2.3, this Chapter applies on and after 15 December 2001 to all other offences.
(3) Section 11.6 applies to all offences.
2.3 Application of provisions relating to intoxication
Subsections 4.2(6) and (7) and Division 8 apply to all offences. For the purpose of interpreting those provisions in connection with an offence, the other provisions of this Chapter may be considered, whether or not those other provisions apply to the offence concerned.
Part 2.2—The elements of an offence
(1) An offence consists of physical elements and fault elements.
(2) However, the law that creates the offence may provide that there is no fault element for one or more physical elements.
(3) The law that creates the offence may provide different fault elements for different physical elements.
3.2 Establishing guilt in respect of offences
In order for a person to be found guilty of committing an offence the following must be proved:
(a) the existence of such physical elements as are, under the law creating the offence, relevant to establishing guilt;
(b) in respect of each such physical element for which a fault element is required, one of the fault elements for the physical element.
Note 1: See Part 2.6 on proof of criminal responsibility.
Note 2: See Part 2.7 on geographical jurisdiction.
(1) A physical element of an offence may be:
(a) conduct; or
(b) a result of conduct; or
(c) a circumstance in which conduct, or a result of conduct, occurs.
(2) In this Code:
conduct means an act, an omission to perform an act or a state of affairs.
engage in conduct means:
(a) do an act; or
(b) omit to perform an act.
(1) Conduct can only be a physical element if it is voluntary.
(2) Conduct is only voluntary if it is a product of the will of the person whose conduct it is.
(3) The following are examples of conduct that is not voluntary:
(a) a spasm, convulsion or other unwilled bodily movement;
(b) an act performed during sleep or unconsciousness;
(c) an act performed during impaired consciousness depriving the person of the will to act.
(4) An omission to perform an act is only voluntary if the act omitted is one which the person is capable of performing.
(5) If the conduct constituting an offence consists only of a state of affairs, the state of affairs is only voluntary if it is one over which the person is capable of exercising control.
(6) Evidence of self‑induced intoxication cannot be considered in determining whether conduct is voluntary.
(7) Intoxication is self‑induced unless it came about:
(a) involuntarily; or
(b) as a result of fraud, sudden or extraordinary emergency, accident, reasonable mistake, duress or force.
An omission to perform an act can only be a physical element if:
(a) the law creating the offence makes it so; or
(b) the law creating the offence impliedly provides that the offence is committed by an omission to perform an act that there is a duty to perform by a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory, or at common law.
(1) A fault element for a particular physical element may be intention, knowledge, recklessness or negligence.
(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent a law that creates a particular offence from specifying other fault elements for a physical element of that offence.
(1) A person has intention with respect to conduct if he or she means to engage in that conduct.
(2) A person has intention with respect to a circumstance if he or she believes that it exists or will exist.
(3) A person has intention with respect to a result if he or she means to bring it about or is aware that it will occur in the ordinary course of events.
A person has knowledge of a circumstance or a result if he or she is aware that it exists or will exist in the ordinary course of events.
(1) A person is reckless with respect to a circumstance if:
(a) he or she is aware of a substantial risk that the circumstance exists or will exist; and
(b) having regard to the circumstances known to him or her, it is unjustifiable to take the risk.
(2) A person is reckless with respect to a result if:
(a) he or she is aware of a substantial risk that the result will occur; and
(b) having regard to the circumstances known to him or her, it is unjustifiable to take the risk.
(3) The question whether taking a risk is unjustifiable is one of fact.
(4) If recklessness is a fault element for a physical element of an offence, proof of intention, knowledge or recklessness will satisfy that fault element.
A person is negligent with respect to a physical element of an offence if his or her conduct involves:
(a) such a great falling short of the standard of care that a reasonable person would exercise in the circumstances; and
(b) such a high risk that the physical element exists or will exist;
that the conduct merits criminal punishment for the offence.
5.6 Offences that do not specify fault elements
(1) If the law creating the offence does not specify a fault element for a physical element that consists only of conduct, intention is the fault element for that physical element.
(2) If the law creating the offence does not specify a fault element for a physical element that consists of a circumstance or a result, recklessness is the fault element for that physical element.
Note: Under subsection 5.4(4), recklessness can be established by proving intention, knowledge or recklessness.
Division 6—Cases where fault elements are not required
(1) If a law that creates an offence provides that the offence is an offence of strict liability:
(a) there are no fault elements for any of the physical elements of the offence; and
(b) the defence of mistake of fact under section 9.2 is available.
(2) If a law that creates an offence provides that strict liability applies to a particular physical element of the offence:
(a) there are no fault elements for that physical element; and
(b) the defence of mistake of fact under section 9.2 is available in relation to that physical element.
(3) The existence of strict liability does not make any other defence unavailable.
(1) If a law that creates an offence provides that the offence is an offence of absolute liability:
(a) there are no fault elements for any of the physical elements of the offence; and
(b) the defence of mistake of fact under section 9.2 is unavailable.
(2) If a law that creates an offence provides that absolute liability applies to a particular physical element of the offence:
(a) there are no fault elements for that physical element; and
(b) the defence of mistake of fact under section 9.2 is unavailable in relation to that physical element.
(3) The existence of absolute liability does not make any other defence unavailable.
Part 2.3—Circumstances in which there is no criminal responsibility
Note: This Part sets out defences that are generally available. Defences that apply to a more limited class of offences are dealt with elsewhere in this Code and in other laws.
Division 7—Circumstances involving lack of capacity
A child under 10 years old is not criminally responsible for an offence.
7.2 Children over 10 but under 14
(1) A child aged 10 years or more but under 14 years old can only be criminally responsible for an offence if the child knows that his or her conduct is wrong.
(2) The question whether a child knows that his or her conduct is wrong is one of fact. The burden of proving this is on the prosecution.
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence if, at the time of carrying out the conduct constituting the offence, the person was suffering from a mental impairment that had the effect that:
(a) the person did not know the nature and quality of the conduct; or
(b) the person did not know that the conduct was wrong (that is, the person could not reason with a moderate degree of sense and composure about whether the conduct, as perceived by reasonable people, was wrong); or
(c) the person was unable to control the conduct.
(2) The question whether the person was suffering from a mental impairment is one of fact.
(3) A person is presumed not to have been suffering from such a mental impairment. The presumption is only displaced if it is proved on the balance of probabilities (by the prosecution or the defence) that the person was suffering from such a mental impairment.
(4) The prosecution can only rely on this section if the court gives leave.
(5) The tribunal of fact must return a special verdict that a person is not guilty of an offence because of mental impairment if and only if it is satisfied that the person is not criminally responsible for the offence only because of a mental impairment.
(6) A person cannot rely on a mental impairment to deny voluntariness or the existence of a fault element but may rely on this section to deny criminal responsibility.
(7) If the tribunal of fact is satisfied that a person carried out conduct as a result of a delusion caused by a mental impairment, the delusion cannot otherwise be relied on as a defence.
(8) In this Code:
mental impairment includes senility, intellectual disability, mental illness, brain damage and severe personality disorder.
(9) The reference in subsection (8) to mental illness is a reference to an underlying pathological infirmity of the mind, whether of long or short duration and whether permanent or temporary, but does not include a condition that results from the reaction of a healthy mind to extraordinary external stimuli. However, such a condition may be evidence of a mental illness if it involves some abnormality and is prone to recur.
8.1 Definition—self‑induced intoxication
For the purposes of this Division, intoxication is self‑induced unless it came about:
(a) involuntarily; or
(b) as a result of fraud, sudden or extraordinary emergency, accident, reasonable mistake, duress or force.
8.2 Intoxication (offences involving basic intent)
(1) Evidence of self‑induced intoxication cannot be considered in determining whether a fault element of basic intent existed.
(2) A fault element of basic intent is a fault element of intention for a physical element that consists only of conduct.
Note: A fault element of intention with respect to a circumstance or with respect to a result is not a fault element of basic intent.
(3) This section does not prevent evidence of self‑induced intoxication being taken into consideration in determining whether conduct was accidental.
(4) This section does not prevent evidence of self‑induced intoxication being taken into consideration in determining whether a person had a mistaken belief about facts if the person had considered whether or not the facts existed.
(5) A person may be regarded as having considered whether or not facts existed if:
(a) he or she had considered, on a previous occasion, whether those facts existed in circumstances surrounding that occasion; and
(b) he or she honestly and reasonably believed that the circumstances surrounding the present occasion were the same, or substantially the same, as those surrounding the previous occasion.
8.3 Intoxication (negligence as fault element)
(1) If negligence is a fault element for a particular physical element of an offence, in determining whether that fault element existed in relation to a person who is intoxicated, regard must be had to the standard of a reasonable person who is not intoxicated.
(2) However, if intoxication is not self‑induced, regard must be had to the standard of a reasonable person intoxicated to the same extent as the person concerned.
8.4 Intoxication (relevance to defences)
(1) If any part of a defence is based on actual knowledge or belief, evidence of intoxication may be considered in determining whether that knowledge or belief existed.
(2) If any part of a defence is based on reasonable belief, in determining whether that reasonable belief existed, regard must be had to the standard of a reasonable person who is not intoxicated.
(3) If a person’s intoxication is not self‑induced, in determining whether any part of a defence based on reasonable belief exists, regard must be had to the standard of a reasonable person intoxicated to the same extent as the person concerned.
(4) If, in relation to an offence:
(a) each physical element has a fault element of basic intent; and
(b) any part of a defence is based on actual knowledge or belief;
evidence of self‑induced intoxication cannot be considered in determining whether that knowledge or belief existed.
(5) A fault element of basic intent is a fault element of intention for a physical element that consists only of conduct.
Note: A fault element of intention with respect to a circumstance or with respect to a result is not a fault element of basic intent.
A person is not criminally responsible for an offence if the person’s conduct constituting the offence was as a result of intoxication that was not self‑induced.
Division 9—Circumstances involving mistake or ignorance
9.1 Mistake or ignorance of fact (fault elements other than negligence)
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence that has a physical element for which there is a fault element other than negligence if:
(a) at the time of the conduct constituting the physical element, the person is under a mistaken belief about, or is ignorant of, facts; and
(b) the existence of that mistaken belief or ignorance negates any fault element applying to that physical element.
(2) In determining whether a person was under a mistaken belief about, or was ignorant of, facts, the tribunal of fact may consider whether the mistaken belief or ignorance was reasonable in the circumstances.
9.2 Mistake of fact (strict liability)
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence that has a physical element for which there is no fault element if:
(a) at or before the time of the conduct constituting the physical element, the person considered whether or not facts existed, and is under a mistaken but reasonable belief about those facts; and
(b) had those facts existed, the conduct would not have constituted an offence.
(2) A person may be regarded as having considered whether or not facts existed if:
(a) he or she had considered, on a previous occasion, whether those facts existed in the circumstances surrounding that occasion; and
(b) he or she honestly and reasonably believed that the circumstances surrounding the present occasion were the same, or substantially the same, as those surrounding the previous occasion.
Note: Section 6.2 prevents this section applying in situations of absolute liability.
9.3 Mistake or ignorance of statute law
(1) A person can be criminally responsible for an offence even if, at the time of the conduct constituting the offence, he or she is mistaken about, or ignorant of, the existence or content of an Act that directly or indirectly creates the offence or directly or indirectly affects the scope or operation of the offence.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply, and the person is not criminally responsible for the offence in those circumstances, if the Act is expressly to the contrary effect.
9.4 Mistake or ignorance of subordinate legislation
(1) A person can be criminally responsible for an offence even if, at the time of the conduct constituting the offence, he or she is mistaken about, or ignorant of, the existence or content of the subordinate legislation that directly or indirectly creates the offence or directly or indirectly affects the scope or operation of the offence.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply, and the person is not criminally responsible for the offence in those circumstances, if:
(a) the subordinate legislation is expressly to the contrary effect; or
(c) at the time of the conduct, the subordinate legislation:
(i) has not been made available to the public (by means of the Register under the Legislation Act 2003 or otherwise); and
(ii) has not otherwise been made available to persons likely to be affected by it in such a way that the person would have become aware of its contents by exercising due diligence.
(3) In this section:
available includes available by sale.
subordinate legislation means an instrument of a legislative character made directly or indirectly under an Act, or in force directly or indirectly under an Act.
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence that has a physical element relating to property if:
(a) at the time of the conduct constituting the offence, the person is under a mistaken belief about a proprietary or possessory right; and
(b) the existence of that right would negate a fault element for any physical element of the offence.
(2) A person is not criminally responsible for any other offence arising necessarily out of the exercise of the proprietary or possessory right that he or she mistakenly believes to exist.
(3) This section does not negate criminal responsibility for an offence relating to the use of force against a person.
Division 10—Circumstances involving external factors
10.1 Intervening conduct or event
A person is not criminally responsible for an offence that has a physical element to which absolute liability or strict liability applies if:
(a) the physical element is brought about by another person over whom the person has no control or by a non‑human act or event over which the person has no control; and
(b) the person could not reasonably be expected to guard against the bringing about of that physical element.
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence if he or she carries out the conduct constituting the offence under duress.
(2) A person carries out conduct under duress if and only if he or she reasonably believes that:
(a) a threat has been made that will be carried out unless an offence is committed; and
(b) there is no reasonable way that the threat can be rendered ineffective; and
(c) the conduct is a reasonable response to the threat.
(3) This section does not apply if the threat is made by or on behalf of a person with whom the person under duress is voluntarily associating for the purpose of carrying out conduct of the kind actually carried out.
10.3 Sudden or extraordinary emergency
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence if he or she carries out the conduct constituting the offence in response to circumstances of sudden or extraordinary emergency.
(2) This section applies if and only if the person carrying out the conduct reasonably believes that:
(a) circumstances of sudden or extraordinary emergency exist; and
(b) committing the offence is the only reasonable way to deal with the emergency; and
(c) the conduct is a reasonable response to the emergency.
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence if he or she carries out the conduct constituting the offence in self‑defence.
(2) A person carries out conduct in self‑defence if and only if he or she believes the conduct is necessary:
(a) to defend himself or herself or another person; or
(b) to prevent or terminate the unlawful imprisonment of himself or herself or another person; or
(c) to protect property from unlawful appropriation, destruction, damage or interference; or
(d) to prevent criminal trespass to any land or premises; or
(e) to remove from any land or premises a person who is committing criminal trespass;
and the conduct is a reasonable response in the circumstances as he or she perceives them.
(3) This section does not apply if the person uses force that involves the intentional infliction of death or really serious injury:
(a) to protect property; or
(b) to prevent criminal trespass; or
(c) to remove a person who is committing criminal trespass.
(4) This section does not apply if:
(a) the person is responding to lawful conduct; and
(b) he or she knew that the conduct was lawful.
However, conduct is not lawful merely because the person carrying it out is not criminally responsible for it.
A person is not criminally responsible for an offence if the conduct constituting the offence is justified or excused by or under a law.
Part 2.4—Extensions of criminal responsibility
(1) A person who attempts to commit an offence commits the offence of attempting to commit that offence and is punishable as if the offence attempted had been committed.
(2) For the person to be guilty, the person’s conduct must be more than merely preparatory to the commission of the offence. The question whether conduct is more than merely preparatory to the commission of the offence is one of fact.
(3) For the offence of attempting to commit an offence, intention and knowledge are fault elements in relation to each physical element of the offence attempted.
Note: Under section 3.2, only one of the fault elements of intention or knowledge would need to be established in respect of each physical element of the offence attempted.
(3A) Subsection (3) has effect subject to subsection (6A).
(4) A person may be found guilty even if:
(a) committing the offence attempted is impossible; or
(b) the person actually committed the offence attempted.
(5) A person who is found guilty of attempting to commit an offence cannot be subsequently charged with the completed offence.
(6) Any defences, procedures, limitations or qualifying provisions that apply to an offence apply also to the offence of attempting to commit that offence.
(6A) Any special liability provisions that apply to an offence apply also to the offence of attempting to commit that offence.
(7) It is not an offence to attempt to commit an offence against section 11.2 (complicity and common purpose), section 11.2A (joint commission), section 11.3 (commission by proxy), section 11.5 (conspiracy to commit an offence) or section 135.4 (conspiracy to defraud).
11.2 Complicity and common purpose
(1) A person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of an offence by another person is taken to have committed that offence and is punishable accordingly.
(2) For the person to be guilty:
(a) the person’s conduct must have in fact aided, abetted, counselled or procured the commission of the offence by the other person; and
(b) the offence must have been committed by the other person.
(3) For the person to be guilty, the person must have intended that:
(a) his or her conduct would aid, abet, counsel or procure the commission of any offence (including its fault elements) of the type the other person committed; or
(b) his or her conduct would aid, abet, counsel or procure the commission of an offence and have been reckless about the commission of the offence (including its fault elements) that the other person in fact committed.
(3A) Subsection (3) has effect subject to subsection (6).
(4) A person cannot be found guilty of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence if, before the offence was committed, the person:
(a) terminated his or her involvement; and
(b) took all reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the offence.
(5) A person may be found guilty of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence even if the other person has not been prosecuted or has not been found guilty.
(6) Any special liability provisions that apply to an offence apply also for the purposes of determining whether a person is guilty of that offence because of the operation of subsection (1).
(7) If the trier of fact is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that a person either:
(a) is guilty of a particular offence otherwise than because of the operation of subsection (1); or
(b) is guilty of that offence because of the operation of subsection (1);
but is not able to determine which, the trier of fact may nonetheless find the person guilty of that offence.
Joint commission
(1) If:
(a) a person and at least one other party enter into an agreement to commit an offence; and
(b) either:
(i) an offence is committed in accordance with the agreement (within the meaning of subsection (2)); or
(ii) an offence is committed in the course of carrying out the agreement (within the meaning of subsection (3));
the person is taken to have committed the joint offence referred to in whichever of subsection (2) or (3) applies and is punishable accordingly.
Offence committed in accordance with the agreement
(2) An offence is committed in accordance with the agreement if:
(a) the conduct of one or more parties in accordance with the agreement makes up the physical elements consisting of conduct of an offence (the joint offence) of the same type as the offence agreed to; and
(b) to the extent that a physical element of the joint offence consists of a result of conduct—that result arises from the conduct engaged in; and
(c) to the extent that a physical element of the joint offence consists of a circumstance—the conduct engaged in, or a result of the conduct engaged in, occurs in that circumstance.
Offence committed in the course of carrying out the agreement
(3) An offence is committed in the course of carrying out the agreement if the person is reckless about the commission of an offence (the joint offence) that another party in fact commits in the course of carrying out the agreement.
Intention to commit an offence
(4) For a person to be guilty of an offence because of the operation of this section, the person and at least one other party to the agreement must have intended that an offence would be committed under the agreement.
Agreement may be non‑verbal etc.
(5) The agreement:
(a) may consist of a non‑verbal understanding; and
(b) may be entered into before, or at the same time as, the conduct constituting any of the physical elements of the joint offence was engaged in.
Termination of involvement etc.
(6) A person cannot be found guilty of an offence because of the operation of this section if, before the conduct constituting any of the physical elements of the joint offence concerned was engaged in, the person:
(a) terminated his or her involvement; and
(b) took all reasonable steps to prevent that conduct from being engaged in.
Person may be found guilty even if another party not prosecuted etc.
(7) A person may be found guilty of an offence because of the operation of this section even if:
(a) another party to the agreement has not been prosecuted or has not been found guilty; or
(b) the person was not present when any of the conduct constituting the physical elements of the joint offence was engaged in.
Special liability provisions apply
(8) Any special liability provisions that apply to the joint offence apply also for the purposes of determining whether a person is guilty of that offence because of the operation of this section.
A person who:
(a) has, in relation to each physical element of an offence, a fault element applicable to that physical element; and
(b) procures conduct of another person that (whether or not together with conduct of the procurer) would have constituted an offence on the part of the procurer if the procurer had engaged in it;
is taken to have committed that offence and is punishable accordingly.
(1) A person who urges the commission of an offence commits the offence of incitement.
(2) For the person to be guilty, the person must intend that the offence incited be committed.
(2A) Subsection (2) has effect subject to subsection (4A).
(3) A person may be found guilty even if committing the offence incited is impossible.
(4) Any defences, procedures, limitations or qualifying provisions that apply to an offence apply also to the offence of incitement in respect of that offence.
(4A) Any special liability provisions that apply to an offence apply also to the offence of incitement in respect of that offence.
(5) It is not an offence to incite the commission of an offence against section 11.1 (attempt), this section or section 11.5 (conspiracy).
Penalty:
(a) if the offence incited is punishable by life imprisonment—imprisonment for 10 years; or
(b) if the offence incited is punishable by imprisonment for 14 years or more, but is not punishable by life imprisonment—imprisonment for 7 years; or
(c) if the offence incited is punishable by imprisonment for 10 years or more, but is not punishable by imprisonment for 14 years or more—imprisonment for 5 years; or
(d) if the offence is otherwise punishable by imprisonment—imprisonment for 3 years or for the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence incited, whichever is the lesser; or
(e) if the offence incited is not punishable by imprisonment—the number of penalty units equal to the maximum number of penalty units applicable to the offence incited.
Note: Under section 4D of the Crimes Act 1914, these penalties are only maximum penalties. Subsection 4B(2) of that Act allows a court to impose an appropriate fine instead of, or in addition to, a term of imprisonment. If a body corporate is convicted of the offence, subsection 4B(3) of that Act allows a court to impose a fine of an amount not greater than 5 times the maximum fine that the court could impose on an individual convicted of the same offence. Penalty units are defined in section 4AA of that Act.
(1) A person who conspires with another person to commit an offence punishable by imprisonment for more than 12 months, or by a fine of 200 penalty units or more, commits the offence of conspiracy to commit that offence and is punishable as if the offence to which the conspiracy relates had been committed.
Note: Penalty units are defined in section 4AA of the Crimes Act 1914.
(2) For the person to be guilty:
(a) the person must have entered into an agreement with one or more other persons; and
(b) the person and at least one other party to the agreement must have intended that an offence would be committed pursuant to the agreement; and
(c) the person or at least one other party to the agreement must have committed an overt act pursuant to the agreement.
(2A) Subsection (2) has effect subject to subsection (7A).
(3) A person may be found guilty of conspiracy to commit an offence even if:
(a) committing the offence is impossible; or
(b) the only other party to the agreement is a body corporate; or
(c) each other party to the agreement is at least one of the following:
(i) a person who is not criminally responsible;
(ii) a person for whose benefit or protection the offence exists; or
(d) subject to paragraph (4)(a), all other parties to the agreement have been acquitted of the conspiracy.
(4) A person cannot be found guilty of conspiracy to commit an offence if:
(a) all other parties to the agreement have been acquitted of the conspiracy and a finding of guilt would be inconsistent with their acquittal; or
(b) he or she is a person for whose benefit or protection the offence exists.
(5) A person cannot be found guilty of conspiracy to commit an offence if, before the commission of an overt act pursuant to the agreement, the person:
(a) withdrew from the agreement; and
(b) took all reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the offence.
(6) A court may dismiss a charge of conspiracy if it thinks that the interests of justice require it to do so.
(7) Any defences, procedures, limitations or qualifying provisions that apply to an offence apply also to the offence of conspiracy to commit that offence.
(7A) Any special liability provisions that apply to an offence apply also to the offence of conspiracy to commit that offence.
(8) Proceedings for an offence of conspiracy must not be commenced without the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions. However, a person may be arrested for, charged with, or remanded in custody or on bail in connection with, an offence of conspiracy before the necessary consent has been given.
11.6 References in Acts to offences
(1) A reference in a law of the Commonwealth to an offence against a law of the Commonwealth (including this Code) includes a reference to an offence against section 11.1 (attempt), 11.4 (incitement) or 11.5 (conspiracy) of this Code that relates to such an offence.
(2) A reference in a law of the Commonwealth (including this Code) to a particular offence includes a reference to an offence against section 11.1 (attempt), 11.4 (incitement) or 11.5 (conspiracy) of this Code that relates to that particular offence.
(3) Subsection (1) or (2) does not apply if a law of the Commonwealth is expressly or impliedly to the contrary effect.
(4) In particular, an express reference in a law of the Commonwealth to:
(a) an offence against, under or created by the Crimes Act 1914; or
(b) an offence against, under or created by a particular provision of the Crimes Act 1914; or
(c) an offence arising out of the first‑mentioned law or another law of the Commonwealth; or
(d) an offence arising out of a particular provision; or
(e) an offence against, under or created by the Taxation Administration Act 1953;
does not mean that the first‑mentioned law is impliedly to the contrary effect.
Note: Sections 11.2 (complicity and common purpose), 11.2A (joint commission), and 11.3 (commission by proxy) of this Code operate as extensions of principal offences and are therefore not referred to in this section.
Part 2.5—Corporate criminal responsibility
(1) This Code applies to bodies corporate in the same way as it applies to individuals. It so applies with such modifications as are set out in this Part, and with such other modifications as are made necessary by the fact that criminal liability is being imposed on bodies corporate rather than individuals.
(2) A body corporate may be found guilty of any offence, including one punishable by imprisonment.
Note: Section 4B of the Crimes Act 1914 enables a fine to be imposed for offences that only specify imprisonment as a penalty.
If a physical element of an offence is committed by an employee, agent or officer of a body corporate acting within the actual or apparent scope of his or her employment, or within his or her actual or apparent authority, the physical element must also be attributed to the body corporate.
12.3 Fault elements other than negligence
(1) If intention, knowledge or recklessness is a fault element in relation to a physical element of an offence, that fault element must be attributed to a body corporate that expressly, tacitly or impliedly authorised or permitted the commission of the offence.
(2) The means by which such an authorisation or permission may be established include:
(a) proving that the body corporate’s board of directors intentionally, knowingly or recklessly carried out the relevant conduct, or expressly, tacitly or impliedly authorised or permitted the commission of the offence; or
(b) proving that a high managerial agent of the body corporate intentionally, knowingly or recklessly engaged in the relevant conduct, or expressly, tacitly or impliedly authorised or permitted the commission of the offence; or
(c) proving that a corporate culture existed within the body corporate that directed, encouraged, tolerated or led to non‑compliance with the relevant provision; or
(d) proving that the body corporate failed to create and maintain a corporate culture that required compliance with the relevant provision.
(3) Paragraph (2)(b) does not apply if the body corporate proves that it exercised due diligence to prevent the conduct, or the authorisation or permission.
(4) Factors relevant to the application of paragraph (2)(c) or (d) include:
(a) whether authority to commit an offence of the same or a similar character had been given by a high managerial agent of the body corporate; and
(b) whether the employee, agent or officer of the body corporate who committed the offence believed on reasonable grounds, or entertained a reasonable expectation, that a high managerial agent of the body corporate would have authorised or permitted the commission of the offence.
(5) If recklessness is not a fault element in relation to a physical element of an offence, subsection (2) does not enable the fault element to be proved by proving that the board of directors, or a high managerial agent, of the body corporate recklessly engaged in the conduct or recklessly authorised or permitted the commission of the offence.
(6) In this section:
board of directors means the body (by whatever name called) exercising the executive authority of the body corporate.
corporate culture means an attitude, policy, rule, course of conduct or practice existing within the body corporate generally or in the part of the body corporate in which the relevant activities takes place.
high managerial agent means an employee, agent or officer of the body corporate with duties of such responsibility that his or her conduct may fairly be assumed to represent the body corporate’s policy.
(1) The test of negligence for a body corporate is that set out in section 5.5.
(2) If:
(a) negligence is a fault element in relation to a physical element of an offence; and
(b) no individual employee, agent or officer of the body corporate has that fault element;
that fault element may exist on the part of the body corporate if the body corporate’s conduct is negligent when viewed as a whole (that is, by aggregating the conduct of any number of its employees, agents or officers).
(3) Negligence may be evidenced by the fact that the prohibited conduct was substantially attributable to:
(a) inadequate corporate management, control or supervision of the conduct of one or more of its employees, agents or officers; or
(b) failure to provide adequate systems for conveying relevant information to relevant persons in the body corporate.
12.5 Mistake of fact (strict liability)
(1) A body corporate can only rely on section 9.2 (mistake of fact (strict liability)) in respect of conduct that would, apart from this section, constitute an offence on its part if:
(a) the employee, agent or officer of the body corporate who carried out the conduct was under a mistaken but reasonable belief about facts that, had they existed, would have meant that the conduct would not have constituted an offence; and
(b) the body corporate proves that it exercised due diligence to prevent the conduct.
(2) A failure to exercise due diligence may be evidenced by the fact that the prohibited conduct was substantially attributable to:
(a) inadequate corporate management, control or supervision of the conduct of one or more of its employees, agents or officers; or
(b) failure to provide adequate systems for conveying relevant information to relevant persons in the body corporate.
12.6 Intervening conduct or event
A body corporate cannot rely on section 10.1 (intervening conduct or event) in respect of a physical element of an offence brought about by another person if the other person is an employee, agent or officer of the body corporate.
Part 2.6—Proof of criminal responsibility
13.1 Legal burden of proof—prosecution
(1) The prosecution bears a legal burden of proving every element of an offence relevant to the guilt of the person charged.
Note: See section 3.2 on what elements are relevant to a person’s guilt.
(2) The prosecution also bears a legal burden of disproving any matter in relation to which the defendant has discharged an evidential burden of proof imposed on the defendant.
(3) In this Code:
legal burden, in relation to a matter, means the burden of proving the existence of the matter.
13.2 Standard of proof—prosecution
(1) A legal burden of proof on the prosecution must be discharged beyond reasonable doubt.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the law creating the offence specifies a different standard of proof.
13.3 Evidential burden of proof—defence
(1) Subject to section 13.4, a burden of proof that a law imposes on a defendant is an evidential burden only.
(2) A defendant who wishes to deny criminal responsibility by relying on a provision of Part 2.3 (other than section 7.3) bears an evidential burden in relation to that matter.
(3) A defendant who wishes to rely on any exception, exemption, excuse, qualification or justification provided by the law creating an offence bears an evidential burden in relation to that matter. The exception, exemption, excuse, qualification or justification need not accompany the description of the offence.
(4) The defendant no longer bears the evidential burden in relation to a matter if evidence sufficient to discharge the burden is adduced by the prosecution or by the court.
(5) The question whether an evidential burden has been discharged is one of law.
(6) In this Code:
evidential burden, in relation to a matter, means the burden of adducing or pointing to evidence that suggests a reasonable possibility that the matter exists or does not exist.
13.4 Legal burden of proof—defence
A burden of proof that a law imposes on the defendant is a legal burden if and only if the law expressly:
(a) specifies that the burden of proof in relation to the matter in question is a legal burden; or
(b) requires the defendant to prove the matter; or
(c) creates a presumption that the matter exists unless the contrary is proved.
13.5 Standard of proof—defence
A legal burden of proof on the defendant must be discharged on the balance of probabilities.
A law that allows the prosecution to make an averment is taken not to allow the prosecution:
(a) to aver any fault element of an offence; or
(b) to make an averment in prosecuting for an offence that is directly punishable by imprisonment.
Part 2.7—Geographical jurisdiction
Division 14—Standard geographical jurisdiction
14.1 Standard geographical jurisdiction
(1) This section may apply to a particular offence in either of the following ways:
(a) unless the contrary intention appears, this section applies to the following offences:
(i) a primary offence, where the provision creating the offence commences at or after the commencement of this section;
(ii) an ancillary offence, to the extent to which it relates to a primary offence covered by subparagraph (i);
(b) if a law of the Commonwealth provides that this section applies to a particular offence—this section applies to that offence.
Note: In the case of paragraph (b), the expression offence is given an extended meaning by subsections 11.2(1) and 11.2A(1), section 11.3 and subsection 11.6(1).
(2) If this section applies to a particular offence, a person does not commit the offence unless:
(a) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs:
(i) wholly or partly in Australia; or
(ii) wholly or partly on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; or
(b) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly outside Australia and a result of the conduct occurs:
(i) wholly or partly in Australia; or
(ii) wholly or partly on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; or
(c) all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(i) the alleged offence is an ancillary offence;
(ii) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly outside Australia;
(iii) the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur, wholly or partly in Australia or wholly or partly on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship.
Defence—primary offence
(3) If this section applies to a particular offence, a person does not commit the offence if:
(aa) the alleged offence is a primary offence; and
(a) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly in a foreign country, but not on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; and
(b) there is not in force in:
(i) the foreign country where the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs; or
(ii) the part of the foreign country where the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs;
a law of that foreign country, or a law of that part of that foreign country, that creates an offence that corresponds to the first‑mentioned offence.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (3). See subsection 13.3(3).
(4) For the purposes of the application of subsection 13.3(3) to an offence, subsection (3) of this section is taken to be an exception provided by the law creating the offence.
Defence—ancillary offence
(5) If this section applies to a particular offence, a person does not commit the offence if:
(a) the alleged offence is an ancillary offence; and
(b) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly in a foreign country, but not on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; and
(c) the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur, wholly in a foreign country, but not on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; and
(d) there is not in force in:
(i) the foreign country where the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur; or
(ii) the part of the foreign country where the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur;
a law of that foreign country, or a law of that part of that foreign country, that creates an offence that corresponds to the primary offence.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (5). See subsection 13.3(3).
(6) For the purposes of the application of subsection 13.3(3) to an offence, subsection (5) of this section is taken to be an exception provided by the law creating the offence.
Division 15—Extended geographical jurisdiction
15.1 Extended geographical jurisdiction—category A
(1) If a law of the Commonwealth provides that this section applies to a particular offence, a person does not commit the offence unless:
(a) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs:
(i) wholly or partly in Australia; or
(ii) wholly or partly on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; or
(b) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly outside Australia and a result of the conduct occurs:
(i) wholly or partly in Australia; or
(ii) wholly or partly on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; or
(c) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly outside Australia and:
(i) at the time of the alleged offence, the person is an Australian citizen; or
(ii) at the time of the alleged offence, the person is a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory; or
(d) all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(i) the alleged offence is an ancillary offence;
(ii) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly outside Australia;
(iii) the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur, wholly or partly in Australia or wholly or partly on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship.
Note: The expression offence is given an extended meaning by subsections 11.2(1) and 11.2A(1), section 11.3 and subsection 11.6(1).
Defence—primary offence
(2) If a law of the Commonwealth provides that this section applies to a particular offence, a person does not commit the offence if:
(aa) the alleged offence is a primary offence; and
(a) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly in a foreign country, but not on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; and
(b) the person is neither:
(i) an Australian citizen; nor
(ii) a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory; and
(c) there is not in force in:
(i) the foreign country where the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs; or
(ii) the part of the foreign country where the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs;
a law of that foreign country, or a law of that part of that foreign country, that creates an offence that corresponds to the first‑mentioned offence.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (2). See subsection 13.3(3).
(3) For the purposes of the application of subsection 13.3(3) to an offence, subsection (2) of this section is taken to be an exception provided by the law creating the offence.
Defence—ancillary offence
(4) If a law of the Commonwealth provides that this section applies to a particular offence, a person does not commit the offence if:
(a) the alleged offence is an ancillary offence; and
(b) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly in a foreign country, but not on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; and
(c) the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur, wholly in a foreign country, but not on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; and
(d) the person is neither:
(i) an Australian citizen; nor
(ii) a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory; and
(e) there is not in force in:
(i) the foreign country where the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur; or
(ii) the part of the foreign country where the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur;
a law of that foreign country, or a law of that part of that foreign country, that creates an offence that corresponds to the primary offence.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (4). See subsection 13.3(3).
(5) For the purposes of the application of subsection 13.3(3) to an offence, subsection (4) of this section is taken to be an exception provided by the law creating the offence.
15.2 Extended geographical jurisdiction—category B
(1) If a law of the Commonwealth provides that this section applies to a particular offence, a person does not commit the offence unless:
(a) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs:
(i) wholly or partly in Australia; or
(ii) wholly or partly on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; or
(b) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly outside Australia and a result of the conduct occurs:
(i) wholly or partly in Australia; or
(ii) wholly or partly on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; or
(c) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly outside Australia and:
(i) at the time of the alleged offence, the person is an Australian citizen; or
(ii) at the time of the alleged offence, the person is a resident of Australia; or
(iii) at the time of the alleged offence, the person is a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory; or
(d) all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(i) the alleged offence is an ancillary offence;
(ii) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly outside Australia;
(iii) the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur, wholly or partly in Australia or wholly or partly on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship.
Note: The expression offence is given an extended meaning by subsections 11.2(1) and 11.2A(1), section 11.3 and subsection 11.6(1).
Defence—primary offence
(2) If a law of the Commonwealth provides that this section applies to a particular offence, a person does not commit the offence if:
(aa) the alleged offence is a primary offence; and
(a) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly in a foreign country, but not on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; and
(b) the person is neither:
(i) an Australian citizen; nor
(ii) a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory; and
(c) there is not in force in:
(i) the foreign country where the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs; or
(ii) the part of the foreign country where the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs;
a law of that foreign country, or a law of that part of that foreign country, that creates an offence that corresponds to the first‑mentioned offence.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (2). See subsection 13.3(3).
(3) For the purposes of the application of subsection 13.3(3) to an offence, subsection (2) of this section is taken to be an exception provided by the law creating the offence.
Defence—ancillary offence
(4) If a law of the Commonwealth provides that this section applies to a particular offence, a person does not commit the offence if:
(a) the alleged offence is an ancillary offence; and
(b) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly in a foreign country, but not on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; and
(c) the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur, wholly in a foreign country, but not on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; and
(d) the person is neither:
(i) an Australian citizen; nor
(ii) a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory; and
(e) there is not in force in:
(i) the foreign country where the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur; or
(ii) the part of the foreign country where the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur;
a law of that foreign country, or a law of that part of that foreign country, that creates an offence that corresponds to the primary offence.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (4). See subsection 13.3(3).
(5) For the purposes of the application of subsection 13.3(3) to an offence, subsection (4) of this section is taken to be an exception provided by the law creating the offence.
15.3 Extended geographical jurisdiction—category C
(1) If a law of the Commonwealth provides that this section applies to a particular offence, the offence applies:
(a) whether or not the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs in Australia; and
(b) whether or not a result of the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs in Australia.
Note: The expression offence is given an extended meaning by subsections 11.2(1) and 11.2A(1), section 11.3 and subsection 11.6(1).
Defence—primary offence
(2) If a law of the Commonwealth provides that this section applies to a particular offence, a person is not guilty of the offence if:
(aa) the alleged offence is a primary offence; and
(a) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly in a foreign country, but not on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; and
(b) the person is neither:
(i) an Australian citizen; nor
(ii) a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory; and
(c) there is not in force in:
(i) the foreign country where the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs; or
(ii) the part of the foreign country where the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs;
a law of that foreign country, or that part of that foreign country, that creates an offence that corresponds to the first‑mentioned offence.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (2). See subsection 13.3(3).
(3) For the purposes of the application of subsection 13.3(3) to an offence, subsection (2) of this section is taken to be an exception provided by the law creating the offence.
Defence—ancillary offence
(4) If a law of the Commonwealth provides that this section applies to a particular offence, a person is not guilty of the offence if:
(a) the alleged offence is an ancillary offence; and
(b) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly in a foreign country, but not on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; and
(c) the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur, wholly in a foreign country, but not on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; and
(d) the person is neither:
(i) an Australian citizen; nor
(ii) a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory; and
(e) there is not in force in:
(i) the foreign country where the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur; or
(ii) the part of the foreign country where the conduct constituting the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates, or a result of that conduct, occurs, or is intended by the person to occur;
a law of that foreign country, or a law of that part of that foreign country, that creates an offence that corresponds to the primary offence.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (4). See subsection 13.3(3).
(5) For the purposes of the application of subsection 13.3(3) to an offence, subsection (4) of this section is taken to be an exception provided by the law creating the offence.
15.4 Extended geographical jurisdiction—category D
If a law of the Commonwealth provides that this section applies to a particular offence, the offence applies:
(a) whether or not the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs in Australia; and
(b) whether or not a result of the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs in Australia.
Note: The expression offence is given an extended meaning by subsections 11.2(1) and 11.2A(1), section 11.3 and subsection 11.6(1).
(1) Proceedings for an offence must not be commenced without the Attorney‑General’s written consent if:
(a) section 14.1, 15.1, 15.2, 15.3 or 15.4 applies to the offence; and
(b) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly in a foreign country; and
(c) at the time of the alleged offence, the person alleged to have committed the offence is neither:
(i) an Australian citizen; nor
(ii) a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.
(2) However, a person may be arrested for, charged with, or remanded in custody or released on bail in connection with an offence before the necessary consent has been given.
16.2 When conduct taken to occur partly in Australia
Sending things
(1) For the purposes of this Part, if a person sends a thing, or causes a thing to be sent:
(a) from a point outside Australia to a point in Australia; or
(b) from a point in Australia to a point outside Australia;
that conduct is taken to have occurred partly in Australia.
Sending electronic communications
(2) For the purposes of this Part, if a person sends, or causes to be sent, an electronic communication:
(a) from a point outside Australia to a point in Australia; or
(b) from a point in Australia to a point outside Australia;
that conduct is taken to have occurred partly in Australia.
Point
(3) For the purposes of this section, point includes a mobile or potentially mobile point, whether on land, underground, in the atmosphere, underwater, at sea or anywhere else.
(1) For the purposes of the application of this Part to a particular primary offence, Australia has the same meaning it would have if it were used in a geographical sense in the provision creating the primary offence.
(2) For the purposes of the application of this Part to a particular ancillary offence, Australia has the same meaning it would have if it were used in a geographical sense in the provision creating the primary offence to which the ancillary offence relates.
(3) For the purposes of this Part, if a provision creating an offence extends to an external Territory, it is to be assumed that if the expression Australia were used in a geographical sense in that provision, that expression would include that external Territory.
(4) This section does not affect the meaning of the expressions Australian aircraft, Australian citizen or Australian ship.
A reference in this Part to a result of conduct constituting an offence is a reference to a result that is a physical element of the offence (within the meaning of subsection 4.1(1)).
Chapter 4—The integrity and security of the international community and foreign governments
Division 70—Bribery of foreign public officials
In this Division:
advantage means an advantage of any kind and is not limited to property.
annual turnover has the meaning given by section 70.5C.
associate: a person is an associate of another person if the first‑mentioned person:
(a) is an officer, employee, agent or contractor of the other person; or
(b) is a subsidiary (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001) of the other person; or
(c) is controlled (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001) by the other person; or
(d) otherwise performs services for or on behalf of the other person.
control, in relation to a company, body or association, includes control as a result of, or by means of, trusts, agreements, arrangements, understandings and practices, whether or not having legal or equitable force and whether or not based on legal or equitable rights.
duty, in relation to a foreign public official, means any authority, duty, function or power that:
(a) is conferred on the official; or
(b) that the official holds himself or herself out as having.
foreign government body means:
(a) the government of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country; or
(b) an authority of the government of a foreign country; or
(c) an authority of the government of part of a foreign country; or
(d) a foreign local government body or foreign regional government body; or
(e) a foreign public enterprise.
foreign public enterprise means a company or any other body or association where:
(a) in the case of a company—one of the following applies:
(i) the government of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country holds more than 50% of the issued share capital of the company;
(ii) the government of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country holds more than 50% of the voting power in the company;
(iii) the government of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country is in a position to appoint more than 50% of the company’s board of directors;
(iv) the directors (however described) of the company are accustomed or under an obligation (whether formal or informal) to act in accordance with the directions, instructions or wishes of the government of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country;
(v) the government of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country is in a position to exercise control over the company; and
(b) in the case of any other body or association—either of the following applies:
(i) the members of the executive committee (however described) of the body or association are accustomed or under an obligation (whether formal or informal) to act in accordance with the directions, instructions or wishes of the government of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country;
(ii) the government of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country is in a position to exercise control over the body or association; and
(c) the company, body or association:
(i) enjoys special legal rights or a special legal status under a law of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country; or
(ii) enjoys special benefits or privileges under a law of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country;
because of the relationship of the company, body or association with the government of the foreign country or of the part of the foreign country, as the case may be.
foreign public official means:
(a) an employee or official of a foreign government body; or
(b) an individual who performs work for a foreign government body under a contract; or
(c) an individual who holds or performs the duties of an appointment, office or position under a law of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country; or
(d) an individual who holds or performs the duties of an appointment, office or position created by custom or convention of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country; or
(e) an individual who is otherwise in the service of a foreign government body (including service as a member of a military force or police force); or
(f) a member of the executive, judiciary or magistracy of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country; or
(g) an employee of a public international organisation; or
(h) an individual who performs work for a public international organisation under a contract; or
(i) an individual who holds or performs the duties of an office or position in a public international organisation; or
(j) an individual who is otherwise in the service of a public international organisation; or
(k) a member or officer of the legislature of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country; or
(l) an individual who:
(i) is an authorised intermediary of a foreign public official covered by any of the above paragraphs; or
(ii) holds himself or herself out to be the authorised intermediary of a foreign public official covered by any of the above paragraphs; or
(m) an individual standing, or nominated, (whether formally or informally) as a candidate to be a foreign public official covered by any of paragraphs (a) to (k) of this definition.
public international organisation means:
(a) an organisation:
(i) of which 2 or more countries, or the governments of 2 or more countries, are members; or
(ii) that is constituted by persons representing 2 or more countries, or representing the governments of 2 or more countries; or
(b) an organisation established by, or a group of organisations constituted by:
(i) organisations of which 2 or more countries, or the governments of 2 or more countries, are members; or
(ii) organisations that are constituted by the representatives of 2 or more countries, or the governments of 2 or more countries; or
(c) an organisation that is:
(i) an organ of, or office within, an organisation described in paragraph (a) or (b); or
(ii) a commission, council or other body established by an organisation so described or such an organ; or
(iii) a committee, or subcommittee of a committee, of an organisation described in paragraph (a) or (b), or of such an organ, council or body.
share includes stock.
Subdivision B—Bribery of foreign public officials
70.2 Bribing a foreign public official
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) provides a benefit to another person; or
(ii) causes a benefit to be provided to another person; or
(iii) offers to provide, or promises to provide, a benefit to another person; or
(iv) causes an offer of the provision of a benefit, or a promise of the provision of a benefit, to be made to another person; and
(b) the first‑mentioned person does so with the intention of improperly influencing a foreign public official (who may be the other person) in order to obtain or retain business or a business or personal advantage (whether or not for the first‑mentioned person).
Note: See also section 70.2A. For defences, see sections 70.3 and 70.4.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b):
(a) the first‑mentioned person does not need to intend to influence a particular foreign public official; and
(b) the first‑mentioned person does not need to intend to obtain or retain particular business or a particular business or personal advantage; and
(c) business, or a business or personal advantage, does not need to be actually obtained or retained.
Penalty for individual
(3) An offence against subsection (1) committed by an individual is punishable on conviction by imprisonment for not more than 10 years, a fine not more than 10,000 penalty units, or both.
Penalty for body corporate
(4) An offence against subsection (1) committed by a body corporate is punishable on conviction by a fine not more than the greatest of the following:
(a) 100,000 penalty units;
(b) if the court can determine the value of the benefit that the body corporate, and any body corporate related to the body corporate, have obtained directly or indirectly and that is reasonably attributable to the conduct constituting the offence—3 times the value of that benefit;
(c) if the court cannot determine the value of that benefit—10% of the annual turnover of the body corporate during the period (the turnover period) of 12 months ending at the end of the month in which the body corporate committed, or began committing, the offence.
Determination to be a matter for the trier of fact
(1) In a prosecution for an offence against section 70.2, the determination of whether influence is improper is a matter for the trier of fact.
Matters that must be disregarded
(2) In determining whether influence is improper for the purposes of paragraph 70.2(1)(b), a trier of fact must disregard the following:
(a) the fact that the benefit, or the offer or promise to provide the benefit, may be, or be perceived to be, customary, necessary or required in the situation;
(b) any official tolerance of the benefit;
(c) if particular business or a particular business or personal advantage is relevant to proving the matters referred to in that paragraph—the following:
(i) if the value of the business or advantage is insignificant—that fact;
(ii) in the case of an advantage—any official tolerance of the advantage;
(iii) in the case of an advantage—the fact that the advantage may be customary, or perceived to be customary, in the situation.
Matters to which regard may be had
(3) In determining whether influence is improper for the purposes of paragraph 70.2(1)(b), a trier of fact may have regard to the following:
(a) the recipient or intended recipient of the benefit;
(b) the nature of the benefit;
(c) the manner of the provision of the benefit (or, if applicable, the offered or promised manner of the provision of the benefit);
(d) whether the value of the benefit is disproportionate to the value of any consideration provided or purported to have been provided for the benefit;
(e) if the benefit was provided, or the offer or promise to provide the benefit was made, in the absence of any legal obligation to do so—that fact;
(f) whether the benefit was provided, or the offer or promise to provide the benefit was made, dishonestly;
(g) whether, and to what extent, the provision of the benefit, or the offer or promise to provide the benefit, is recorded or documented;
(h) if the provision of the benefit, or the offer or promise to provide the benefit, is recorded or documented:
(i) the accuracy of the record or documentation; and
(ii) whether the record or documentation is consistent with the ordinary practices of the person who made the record or documentation;
(i) whether there is evidence that due diligence was exercised by the first‑mentioned person in section 70.2 in relation to the benefit, or the offer or promise to provide the benefit;
(j) whether any of the following conduct is contrary to a written law in force in the place where that conduct occurs:
(i) the provision of the benefit, or the offer or promise to provide the benefit;
(ii) the acceptance of the benefit;
(iii) any conduct directly connected with conduct referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii);
(k) if particular business or a particular business or personal advantage is relevant to proving the matters referred to in that paragraph—the following:
(i) whether the business or advantage was awarded on a competitive or non‑commercial basis;
(ii) whether there is any demonstrable conflict of interest in the provision of the business or advantage.
(4) To avoid doubt, subsection (3) does not limit the matters to which the trier of fact may have regard.
70.3 Defence—conduct lawful in foreign public official’s country
(1) A person does not commit an offence against section 70.2 in the cases set out in the following table:
Defence of lawful conduct | |||
Item | In a case where the person’s conduct occurred in relation to this kind of foreign public official... | and if it were assumed that the person’s conduct had occurred wholly... | this written law requires or permits the provision of the benefit ... |
1 | an employee or official of a foreign government body | in the place where the central administration of the body is located | a written law in force in that place |
2 | an individual who performs work for a foreign government body under a contract | in the place where the central administration of the body is located | a written law in force in that place |
3 | an individual who holds or performs the duties of an appointment, office or position under a law of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country | in the foreign country or in the part of the foreign country, as the case may be | a written law in force in the foreign country or in the part of the foreign country, as the case may be |
4 | an individual who holds or performs the duties of an appointment, office or position created by custom or convention of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country | in the foreign country or in the part of the foreign country, as the case may be | a written law in force in the foreign country or in the part of the foreign country, as the case may be |
5 | an individual who is otherwise in the service of a foreign government body (including service as a member of a military force or police force) | in the place where the central administration of the body is located | a written law in force in that place |
6 | a member of the executive, judiciary or magistracy of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country | in the foreign country or in the part of the foreign country, as the case may be | a written law in force in the foreign country or in the part of the foreign country, as the case may be |
7 | an employee of a public international organisation | in the place where the headquarters of the organisation is located | a written law in force in that place |
8 | an individual who performs work for a public international organisation under a contract | in the place where the headquarters of the organisation is located | a written law in force in that place |
9 | an individual who holds or performs the duties of a public office or position in a public international organisation | in the place where the headquarters of the organisation is located | a written law in force in that place |
10 | an individual who is otherwise in the service of a public international organisation | in the place where the headquarters of the organisation is located | a written law in force in that place |
11 | a member or officer of the legislature of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country | in the foreign country or in the part of the foreign country, as the case may be | a written law in force in the foreign country or in the part of the foreign country, as the case may be |
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1). See subsection 13.3(3).
(2) A person does not commit an offence against section 70.2 if:
(a) the person’s conduct occurred in relation to a foreign public official covered by paragraph (l) of the definition of foreign public official in section 70.1 (which deals with intermediaries of foreign public officials covered by other paragraphs of that definition); and
(b) assuming that the first‑mentioned person’s conduct had occurred instead in relation to:
(i) the other foreign public official of whom the first‑mentioned foreign public official was an authorised intermediary; or
(ii) the other foreign public official in relation to whom the first‑mentioned foreign public official held himself or herself out to be an authorised intermediary;
subsection (1) would have applied in relation to the first‑mentioned person.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2). See subsection 13.3(3).
(2A) A person does not commit an offence against section 70.2 if:
(a) the person’s conduct occurred in relation to a foreign public official (the relevant foreign public official); and
(b) the relevant foreign public official is covered by paragraph (m) of the definition of foreign public official in section 70.1 because the relevant foreign public official is a candidate to be a particular foreign public official (the substantive foreign public official); and
(c) assuming that the first‑mentioned person’s conduct had occurred wholly in the place, the foreign country or the part of the foreign country, as the case may be, (the relevant place) referred to in the item of the table in subsection (1) that would be applicable if the first‑mentioned person’s conduct had occurred in relation to the substantive foreign public official, a written law in force in the relevant place permits the provision of the benefit to the relevant foreign public official.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2A). See subsection 13.3(3).
(3) To avoid doubt, if:
(a) a person’s conduct occurred in relation to a foreign public official covered by 2 or more paragraphs of the definition of foreign public official in section 70.1; and
(b) at least one of the corresponding items in subsection (1) is applicable to the conduct of the first‑mentioned person;
subsection (1) applies to the conduct of the first‑mentioned person.
70.4 Defence—facilitation payments
(1) A person does not commit an offence against section 70.2 if:
(a) the value of the benefit was of a minor nature; and
(b) the person’s conduct was engaged in for the sole or dominant purpose of expediting or securing the performance of a routine government action of a minor nature; and
(c) as soon as practicable after the conduct occurred, the person made a record of the conduct that complies with subsection (3); and
(d) any of the following subparagraphs applies:
(i) the person has retained that record at all relevant times;
(ii) that record has been lost or destroyed because of the actions of another person over whom the first‑mentioned person had no control, or because of a non‑human act or event over which the first‑mentioned person had no control, and the first‑mentioned person could not reasonably be expected to have guarded against the bringing about of that loss or that destruction;
(iii) a prosecution for the offence is instituted more than 7 years after the conduct occurred.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1). See subsection 13.3(3).
Routine government action
(2) For the purposes of this section, a routine government action is an action of a foreign public official that:
(a) is ordinarily and commonly performed by the official; and
(b) is covered by any of the following subparagraphs:
(i) granting a permit, licence or other official document that qualifies a person to do business in a foreign country or in a part of a foreign country;
(ii) processing government papers such as a visa or work permit;
(iii) providing police protection or mail collection or delivery;
(iv) scheduling inspections associated with contract performance or related to the transit of goods;
(v) providing telecommunications services, power or water;
(vi) loading and unloading cargo;
(vii) protecting perishable products, or commodities, from deterioration;
(viii) any other action of a similar nature; and
(c) does not involve a decision about:
(i) whether to award new business; or
(ii) whether to continue existing business with a particular person; or
(iii) the terms of new business or existing business; and
(d) does not involve encouraging a decision about:
(i) whether to award new business; or
(ii) whether to continue existing business with a particular person; or
(iii) the terms of new business or existing business.
Content of records
(3) A record of particular conduct engaged in by a person complies with this subsection if the record sets out:
(a) the value of the benefit concerned; and
(b) the date on which the conduct occurred; and
(c) the identity of the foreign public official in relation to whom the conduct occurred; and
(d) if that foreign public official is not the other person mentioned in paragraph 70.2(1)(a)—the identity of that other person; and
(e) particulars of the routine government action that was sought to be expedited or secured by the conduct; and
(f) the person’s signature or some other means of verifying the person’s identity.
70.5 Territorial and nationality requirements
(1) A person does not commit an offence against section 70.2 unless:
(a) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs:
(i) wholly or partly in Australia; or
(ii) wholly or partly on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; or
(b) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly outside Australia and:
(i) at the time of the alleged offence, the person is an Australian citizen; or
(ii) at the time of the alleged offence, the person is a resident of Australia; or
(iii) at the time of the alleged offence, the person is a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.
Note: The expression offence against section 70.2 is given an extended meaning by subsections 11.2(1), 11.2A(1) and 11.6(2).
(2) Proceedings for an offence against section 70.2 must not be commenced without the Attorney‑General’s written consent if:
(a) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly outside Australia; and
(b) at the time of the alleged offence, the person alleged to have committed the offence is:
(i) a resident of Australia; and
(ii) not an Australian citizen.
(3) However, a person may be arrested for, charged with, or remanded in custody or released on bail in connection with an offence against section 70.2 before the necessary consent has been given.
Subdivision C—Failure to prevent bribery of foreign public officials
70.5A Failing to prevent bribery of a foreign public official
Offence
(1) A person (the first person) commits an offence if:
(a) the first person is a body corporate:
(i) that is a constitutional corporation; or
(ii) that is incorporated in a Territory; or
(iii) that is taken to be registered in a Territory under section 119A of the Corporations Act 2001; and
(b) an associate of the first person:
(i) commits an offence against section 70.2; or
(ii) engages in conduct outside Australia that, if engaged in in Australia, would constitute an offence (the notional offence) against section 70.2; and
(c) the associate does so for the profit or gain of the first person.
(2) Absolute liability applies to:
(a) paragraphs (1)(a) and (c); and
(b) the circumstance in subparagraph (1)(b)(i) that the associate commits an offence against section 70.2; and
(c) the circumstance in subparagraph (1)(b)(ii) that the associate engages in conduct outside Australia that, if engaged in in Australia, would constitute the notional offence.
(3) To avoid doubt, the first person may be convicted of an offence against subsection (1) because of the commission by the associate of an offence against section 70.2 even if the associate has not been convicted of that offence.
(4) Section 12.6 applies in relation to an offence against subsection (1) of this section as if the reference in section 12.6 to an employee, agent or officer of a body corporate included any associate of the body corporate.
Exception
(5) Subsection (1) does not apply if the first person proves that the first person had in place adequate procedures designed to prevent:
(a) the commission of an offence against section 70.2 by any associate of the first person; and
(b) any associate of the first person engaging in conduct outside Australia that, if engaged in in Australia, would constitute an offence against section 70.2.
Note: A defendant bears a legal burden in relation to the matter in subsection (5): see section 13.4.
Penalty
(6) An offence against subsection (1) is punishable on conviction by a fine not more than the greatest of the following:
(a) 100,000 penalty units;
(b) if the court can determine the value of the benefit that the associate obtained directly or indirectly and that is reasonably attributable to the conduct constituting the offence, or that would have constituted the notional offence, against section 70.2—3 times the value of that benefit;
(c) if the court cannot determine the value of that benefit—10% of the annual turnover of the first person during the period (the turnover period) of 12 months ending at the end of the month in which the associate committed, or began committing, the offence or notional offence against section 70.2.
Geographical jurisdiction
(7) Section 15.1 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category A) applies to an offence against subsection (1).
Indictable offence
(8) An offence against subsection (1) is an indictable offence.
70.5B Guidance on preventing bribery of foreign public officials
(1) The Minister must publish guidance on the steps that a body corporate can take to prevent an associate from bribing foreign public officials.
(2) Guidance under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.
70.5C Meaning of annual turnover
(1) For the purposes of this Division, the annual turnover of a body corporate, during the turnover period, is the sum of the values of all the supplies that the body corporate, and any body corporate related to the body corporate, have made, or are likely to make, during that period, other than the following supplies:
(a) supplies made from any of those bodies corporate to any other of those bodies corporate;
(b) supplies that are input taxed;
(c) supplies that are not for consideration (and are not taxable supplies under section 72‑5 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999);
(d) supplies that are not made in connection with an enterprise that the body corporate carries on.
(2) Expressions used in this section that are also used in the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 have the same meaning in this section as they have in that Act.
70.5D Related bodies corporate
The question whether 2 bodies corporate are related to each other is to be determined for the purposes of this Division in the same way as for the purposes of the Corporations Act 2001.
This Division is not intended to exclude or limit the operation of any other law of the Commonwealth or any law of a State or Territory.
Division 71—Offences against United Nations and associated personnel
The purpose of this Division is to protect United Nations and associated personnel and give effect to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel.
71.2 Murder of a UN or associated person
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person’s conduct causes the death of another person; and
(b) that other person is a UN or associated person; and
(c) the UN or associated person is engaged in a UN operation that is not a UN enforcement action; and
(d) the first‑mentioned person intends to cause, or is reckless as to causing, the death of the UN or associated person or any other person by the conduct.
Penalty: Imprisonment for life.
Note: Section 71.23 defines UN enforcement action, UN operation and UN or associated person.
(2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).
71.3 Manslaughter of a UN or associated person
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person’s conduct causes the death of another person; and
(b) that other person is a UN or associated person; and
(c) the UN or associated person is engaged in a UN operation that is not a UN enforcement action; and
(d) the first‑mentioned person intends to cause, or is reckless as to causing, serious harm to the UN or associated person or any other person by the conduct.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 25 years.
Note: Section 71.23 defines UN enforcement action, UN operation and UN or associated person.
(2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).
71.4 Intentionally causing serious harm to a UN or associated person
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person’s conduct causes serious harm to another person; and
(b) that other person is a UN or associated person; and
(c) the UN or associated person is engaged in a UN operation that is not a UN enforcement action; and
(d) the first‑mentioned person intends to cause serious harm to the UN or associated person or any other person by the conduct.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years.
Penalty (aggravated offence): Imprisonment for 25 years.
Note 1: Section 71.23 defines UN enforcement action, UN operation and UN or associated person.
Note 2: Section 71.13 defines aggravated offence.
(2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).
71.5 Recklessly causing serious harm to a UN or associated person
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person’s conduct causes serious harm to another person; and
(b) that other person is a UN or associated person; and
(c) the UN or associated person is engaged in a UN operation that is not a UN enforcement action; and
(d) the first‑mentioned person is reckless as to causing serious harm to the UN or associated person or any other person by the conduct.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
Penalty (aggravated offence): Imprisonment for 19 years.
Note 1: Section 71.23 defines UN enforcement action, UN operation and UN or associated person.
Note 2: Section 71.13 defines aggravated offence.
(2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).
71.6 Intentionally causing harm to a UN or associated person
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person’s conduct causes harm to another person without the consent of that person; and
(b) that other person is a UN or associated person; and
(c) the UN or associated person is engaged in a UN operation that is not a UN enforcement action; and
(d) the first‑mentioned person intends to cause harm to the UN or associated person or any other person by the conduct.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Penalty (aggravated offence): Imprisonment for 13 years.
Note 1: Section 71.23 defines UN enforcement action, UN operation and UN or associated person.
Note 2: Section 71.13 defines aggravated offence.
(2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).
71.7 Recklessly causing harm to a UN or associated person
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person’s conduct causes harm to another person without the consent of that person; and
(b) that other person is a UN or associated person; and
(c) the UN or associated person is engaged in a UN operation that is not a UN enforcement action; and
(d) the first‑mentioned person is reckless as to causing harm to the UN or associated person or any other person by the conduct.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Penalty (aggravated offence): Imprisonment for 9 years.
Note 1: Section 71.23 defines UN enforcement action, UN operation and UN or associated person.
Note 2: Section 71.13 defines aggravated offence.
(2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).
71.8 Unlawful sexual penetration
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person sexually penetrates another person without the consent of that person; and
(b) that other person is a UN or associated person; and
(c) the UN or associated person is engaged in a UN operation that is not a UN enforcement action; and
(d) the first‑mentioned person knows about, or is reckless as to, the lack of consent.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
Penalty (aggravated offence): Imprisonment for 20 years.
Note 1: Section 71.23 defines UN enforcement action, UN operation and UN or associated person.
Note 2: Section 71.13 defines aggravated offence.
(2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).
(3) In this section:
sexually penetrate means:
(a) penetrate (to any extent) the genitalia or anus of a person by any part of the body of another person or by any object manipulated by that other person; or
(b) penetrate (to any extent) the mouth of a person by the penis of another person; or
(c) continue to sexually penetrate as defined in paragraph (a) or (b).
(4) In this section, being reckless as to a lack of consent to sexual penetration includes not giving any thought to whether or not the person is consenting to sexual penetration.
(5) In this section, the genitalia or others parts of the body of a person include surgically constructed genitalia or other parts of the body of the person.
71.9 Kidnapping a UN or associated person
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person takes or detains another person without his or her consent; and
(b) that other person is a UN or associated person; and
(c) the UN or associated person is engaged in a UN operation that is not a UN enforcement action; and
(d) the first‑mentioned person takes or detains the UN or associated person with the intention of:
(i) holding him or her to ransom or as a hostage; or
(ii) taking or sending him or her out of the country; or
(iii) committing a serious offence against him or her or another person.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
Penalty (aggravated offence): Imprisonment for 19 years.
Note 1: Section 71.23 defines UN enforcement action, UN operation and UN or associated person.
Note 2: Section 71.13 defines aggravated offence.
(2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).
(3) In this section, serious offence means an offence under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or Territory or a foreign law the maximum penalty for which is death, or imprisonment for not less than 12 months.
71.10 Unlawful detention of UN or associated person
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person takes or detains another person without that other person’s consent; and
(b) that other person is a UN or associated person; and
(c) the UN or associated person is engaged in a UN operation that is not a UN enforcement action.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
Penalty (aggravated offence): Imprisonment for 6 years.
Note 1: Section 71.23 defines UN enforcement action, UN operation and UN or associated person.
Note 2: Section 71.13 defines aggravated offence.
(2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).
71.11 Intentionally causing damage to UN or associated person’s property etc.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person’s conduct causes damage to official premises, private accommodation or a means of transportation (the property); and
(b) the property is occupied or used by a UN or associated person; and
(c) the conduct gives rise to a danger of serious harm to a person; and
(d) that person is the UN or associated person referred to in paragraph (b); and
(e) the UN or associated person is engaged in a UN operation that is not a UN enforcement action; and
(f) the first‑mentioned person intends to cause the damage to the property; and
(g) the first‑mentioned person is reckless as to the danger to the person referred to in paragraph (c).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Note: Section 71.23 defines UN enforcement action, UN operation and UN or associated person.
(2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b), (d) and (e).
71.12 Threatening to commit other offences
A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) threatens to commit an offence (the threatened offence) under any of sections 71.2 to 71.11; and
(b) intends to compel any other person to do or omit to do an act by making the threat.
Penalty:
(a) if the threatened offence is the offence under section 71.2 (murder of a UN or associated person)—imprisonment for 10 years; or
(b) if the threatened offence is the offence under section 71.3, 71.4, 71.5, 71.8 or 71.9 (manslaughter of, causing serious harm to, kidnapping, or sexually penetrating, a UN or associated person)—imprisonment for 7 years; or
(c) if the threatened offence is the offence under section 71.6 or 71.11 (causing harm to, or damaging the property etc. of, a UN or associated person)—imprisonment for 5 years; or
(d) if the threatened offence is the offence under section 71.7 or 71.10 (recklessly causing harm to, or unlawful detention of, a UN or associated person)—imprisonment for 3 years.
Note: Section 71.23 defines UN or associated person.
(1) For the purposes of this Division, an offence against section 71.4, 71.5, 71.6, 71.7, 71.8, 71.9 or 71.10 is an aggravated offence if:
(a) the offence was committed during the deliberate and systematic infliction of severe pain over a period of time; or
(b) the offence was committed by the use or threatened use of an offensive weapon; or
(c) the offence was committed against a person in an abuse of authority.
(2) If the prosecution intends to prove an aggravated offence, the charge must allege the relevant aggravated offence.
(3) In order to prove an aggravated offence, the prosecution must prove that the defendant intended to commit, or was reckless as to committing, the matters referred to in paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (c).
(4) In this section:
offensive weapon includes:
(a) an article made or adapted for use for causing injury to, or incapacitating, a person; or
(b) an article where the person who has the article intends, or threatens to use, the article to cause injury to, or to incapacitate, another person.
71.14 Defence—activities involving serious harm
A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against section 71.4 or 71.5 if the conduct causing serious harm to another person is engaged in by the first‑mentioned person:
(a) for the purpose of benefiting the other person or in pursuance of a socially acceptable function or activity; and
(b) having regard to the purpose, function or activity, the conduct was reasonable.
Note 1: If a person causes less than serious harm to another person, the prosecution is obliged to prove that the harm was caused without the consent of the person harmed (see for example section 71.6).
Note 2: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this section, see subsection 13.3(3).
71.15 Defence—medical or hygienic procedures
A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against section 71.8 in respect of any sexual penetration carried out in the course of a procedure in good faith for medical or hygienic purposes.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this section, see subsection 13.3(3).
71.16 Jurisdictional requirement
A person commits an offence under this Division only if:
(a) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs:
(i) wholly or partly in Australia; or
(ii) wholly or partly on board an Australian aircraft or an Australian ship; or
(b) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly outside Australia and:
(i) at the time of the alleged offence, the person is an Australian citizen; or
(ii) at the time of the alleged offence, the person is a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory; or
(iii) at the time of the alleged offence, the person is a stateless person whose habitual residence is in Australia; or
(iv) the conduct is subject to the jurisdiction of another State Party to the Convention established in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2 of article 10 and the person enters Australia; or
(c) the alleged offence is committed against an Australian citizen; or
(d) by engaging in the conduct constituting the alleged offence, the person intends to compel a legislative, executive or judicial institution of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory to do or omit to do an act.
71.17 Exclusion of this Division if State/Territory laws provide for corresponding offences
(1) A State or Territory court does not have jurisdiction to determine a charge of an offence under this Division if the conduct constituting the offence also constitutes an offence (the State offence) against the law of that State or Territory.
(2) If:
(a) a prosecution is brought against a person under this Division; and
(b) a court finds that there is a corresponding State offence;
then this section does not prevent the person from being prosecuted for the State offence.
If a person has been convicted or acquitted of an offence in respect of conduct under the law of a foreign country, the person cannot be convicted of an offence under this Division in respect of that conduct.
This Division is not intended to exclude or limit the operation of any other law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.
71.20 Bringing proceedings under this Division
(1) Proceedings for an offence under this Division must not be commenced without the Attorney‑General’s written consent.
(2) However, a person may be arrested, charged, remanded in custody, or released on bail, in connection with an offence under this Division before the necessary consent has been given.
71.21 Ministerial certificates relating to proceedings
(1) The Foreign Affairs Minister may issue a certificate stating any of the following matters:
(a) the Convention entered into force for Australia on a specified day;
(b) the Convention remains in force for Australia or any other State Party on a specified day;
(c) a matter relevant to the establishment of jurisdiction by a State Party under paragraph 1 or 2 of article 10 of the Convention;
(d) a matter relevant to whether a person is or was a UN or associated person;
(e) a matter relevant to whether an operation is or was a UN operation.
(2) The Immigration Minister may issue a certificate stating that:
(a) a person is or was an Australian citizen at a particular time; or
(b) a person is or was a stateless person whose habitual residence is or was in Australia.
(3) In any proceedings, a certificate under this section is prima facie evidence of the matters in the certificate.
71.22 Jurisdiction of State courts preserved
For the purposes of section 38 of the Judiciary Act 1903, a matter arising under this Act, including a question of interpretation of the Convention, is taken not to be a matter arising directly under a treaty.
(1) In this Division:
associated personnel means:
(a) persons assigned by a government, or an intergovernmental organisation, with the agreement of the competent organ of the United Nations; or
(b) persons engaged by the Secretary‑General of the United Nations, a specialised agency or the International Atomic Energy Agency; or
(c) persons deployed by a humanitarian non‑governmental organisation or agency under an agreement with the Secretary‑General of the United Nations, a specialised agency or the International Atomic Energy Agency;
to carry out activities in support of the fulfilment of the mandate of a UN operation.
Convention means the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, done at New York on 9 December 1994.
Note: The text of the Convention is set out in Australian Treaty Series 1995 No. 1. In 2000 this was available in the Australian Treaties Library of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, accessible through that Department’s website.
Foreign Affairs Minister means the Minister administering the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1967.
Immigration Minister means the Minister administering the Migration Act 1958.
UN enforcement action means a UN operation:
(a) that is authorised by the Security Council as an enforcement action under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations; and
(b) in which any of the UN or associated personnel are engaged as combatants against organised armed forces; and
(c) to which the law of international armed conflict applies.
UN operation means an operation established by the competent organ of the United Nations in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and conducted under United Nations authority and control if:
(a) the operation is for the purpose of maintaining or restoring international peace and security; or
(b) the Security Council or the General Assembly has declared, for the purposes of the Convention, that there exists an exceptional risk to the safety of the personnel engaged in the operation.
UN or associated person means a person who is a member of any UN personnel or associated personnel.
UN personnel means:
(a) persons engaged or deployed by the Secretary‑General of the United Nations as members of the military, police or civilian components of a UN operation; or
(b) any other officials or experts on mission of the United Nations, its specialised agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency who are present in an official capacity in the area where a UN operation is being conducted.
(2) In this Division, a person’s conduct causes death or harm if it substantially contributes to the death or harm.
Division 72—Explosives and lethal devices
Subdivision A—International terrorist activities using explosive or lethal devices
The purpose of this Subdivision is to create offences relating to international terrorist activities using explosive or lethal devices and give effect to the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, done at New York on 15 December 1997.
Note: The text of the Convention is available in the Australian Treaties Library of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, accessible through that Department’s website.
72.2 ADF members not liable for prosecution
Nothing in this Subdivision makes a member of the Australian Defence Force acting in connection with the defence or security of Australia liable to be prosecuted for an offence.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally delivers, places, discharges or detonates a device; and
(b) the device is an explosive or other lethal device and the person is reckless as to that fact; and
(c) the device is delivered, placed, discharged, or detonated, to, in, into or against:
(i) a place of public use; or
(ii) a government facility; or
(iii) a public transportation system; or
(iv) an infrastructure facility; and
(d) the person intends to cause death or serious harm.
Penalty: Imprisonment for life.
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally delivers, places, discharges or detonates a device; and
(b) the device is an explosive or other lethal device and the person is reckless as to that fact; and
(c) the device is delivered, placed, discharged, or detonated, to, in, into or against:
(i) a place of public use; or
(ii) a government facility; or
(iii) a public transportation system; or
(iv) an infrastructure facility; and
(d) the person intends to cause extensive destruction to the place, facility or system; and
(e) the person is reckless as to whether that intended destruction results or is likely to result in major economic loss.
Penalty: Imprisonment for life.
(3) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(c) and (2)(c).
Note: A court that is sentencing a person who has been convicted of an offence against this section must warn the person about continuing detention orders and extended supervision orders (see section 105A.23).
72.4 Jurisdictional requirement
(1) A person commits an offence under this Subdivision only if one or more of the following paragraphs applies and the circumstances relating to the alleged offence are not exclusively internal (see subsection (2)):
(a) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs:
(i) wholly or partly in Australia; or
(ii) wholly or partly on board an Australian ship or an Australian aircraft;
(b) at the time of the alleged offence, the person is an Australian citizen;
(c) at the time of the alleged offence, the person is a stateless person whose habitual residence is in Australia;
(d) the conduct is subject to the jurisdiction of another State Party to the Convention established in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2 of Article 6 of the Convention and the person is in Australia;
(e) the alleged offence is committed against a government facility of the Commonwealth, or of a State or Territory, that is located outside Australia;
(f) the alleged offence is committed against:
(i) an Australian citizen; or
(ii) a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory;
(g) by engaging in the conduct constituting the alleged offence, the person intends to compel a legislative, executive or judicial institution of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory to do or omit to do an act.
(2) The circumstances relating to the alleged offence are exclusively internal if:
(a) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly within Australia; and
(b) the alleged offender is an Australian citizen; and
(c) all of the persons against whom the offence is committed are Australian citizens or bodies corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory; and
(d) the alleged offender is in Australia; and
(e) no other State Party to the Convention has a basis under paragraph 1 or 2 of Article 6 of the Convention for exercising jurisdiction in relation to the conduct.
This Subdivision is not intended to exclude or limit the operation of any other law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.
72.6 Double jeopardy and foreign offences
If a person has been convicted or acquitted of an offence in respect of conduct under the law of a foreign country, the person cannot be convicted of an offence under this Subdivision in respect of that conduct.
72.7 Bringing proceedings under this Subdivision
(1) Proceedings for an offence under this Subdivision must not be commenced without the Attorney‑General’s written consent.
(2) However, a person may be arrested, charged, remanded in custody, or released on bail, in connection with an offence under this Subdivision before the necessary consent has been given.
(3) In determining whether to bring proceedings for an offence under this Subdivision, the Attorney‑General must have regard to the terms of the Convention, including paragraph 2 of Article 19.
(4) In determining whether to bring proceedings for an offence under this Subdivision, the Attorney‑General must also have regard to:
(a) whether the conduct constituting the offence also gives rise to an offence under a law of a State or Territory; and
(b) whether a prosecution relating to the conduct under the State or Territory law has been or will be commenced.
72.8 Ministerial certificates relating to proceedings
(1) The Minister administering the Charter of the United Nations Act 1945 may issue a certificate stating any of the following matters:
(a) that the Convention entered into force for Australia on a specified day;
(b) that the Convention remains in force for Australia or any other State Party on a specified day;
(c) a matter relevant to the establishment of jurisdiction by a State Party under paragraph 1 or 2 of Article 6 of the Convention.
(2) The Minister administering the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 may issue a certificate stating that:
(a) a person is or was an Australian citizen at a particular time; or
(b) a person is or was a stateless person whose habitual residence is or was in Australia at a particular time.
(3) In any proceedings, a certificate under this section is prima facie evidence of the matters in the certificate.
72.9 Jurisdiction of State courts preserved
For the purposes of section 38 of the Judiciary Act 1903, a matter arising under this Subdivision, including a question of interpretation of the Convention, is taken not to be a matter arising directly under a treaty.
In this Subdivision:
Convention means the Convention referred to in section 72.1.
explosive or other lethal device has the same meaning as in the Convention.
government facility has the same meaning as State or government facility has in the Convention.
infrastructure facility has the same meaning as in the Convention.
place of public use has the same meaning as in the Convention.
public transportation system has the same meaning as in the Convention.
Subdivision B—Plastic explosives
The purpose of this Subdivision is to create offences relating to plastic explosives and give effect to the Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives.
Note: The Convention requires the introduction of detection agents into plastic explosives so as to render the explosives detectable by vapour detection means. This is known as the marking of the explosives.
72.12 Trafficking in unmarked plastic explosives etc.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person traffics in a substance; and
(b) the substance is a plastic explosive; and
(c) the plastic explosive breaches a marking requirement; and
(d) the trafficking is not authorised under section 72.18, 72.19, 72.22 or 72.23.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) The fault element for paragraph (1)(b) is recklessness.
(3) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(c) and (d).
Note 1: For the marking requirements, see section 72.33.
Note 2: For defences, see section 72.16.
72.13 Importing or exporting unmarked plastic explosives etc.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person imports or exports a substance; and
(b) the substance is a plastic explosive; and
(c) the plastic explosive breaches a marking requirement; and
(d) the import or export is not authorised under section 72.18, 72.19, 72.22 or 72.23.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) The fault element for paragraph (1)(b) is recklessness.
(3) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(c) and (d).
Note 1: For the marking requirements, see section 72.33.
Note 2: For defences, see section 72.16.
72.14 Manufacturing unmarked plastic explosives etc.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) engages in the manufacture of a substance; or
(ii) exercises control or direction over the manufacture of a substance; and
(b) the substance is a plastic explosive; and
(c) the plastic explosive breaches the first marking requirement; and
(d) the manufacture is not authorised under section 72.18.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) The fault element for paragraph (1)(b) is recklessness.
(3) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(c) and (d).
Note 1: For the marking requirements, see section 72.33.
Note 2: For defences, see section 72.16.
72.15 Possessing unmarked plastic explosives etc.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person possesses a substance; and
(b) the substance is a plastic explosive; and
(c) the plastic explosive breaches a marking requirement; and
(d) the possession is not authorised under section 72.18, 72.19, 72.22 or 72.23.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) The fault element for paragraph (1)(b) is recklessness.
(3) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(c) and (d).
Note 1: For the marking requirements, see section 72.33.
Note 2: For defences, see section 72.16.
(1) If:
(a) a person is charged with an offence against section 72.12, 72.13, 72.14 or 72.15; and
(b) the prosecution alleges that the plastic explosive breached a particular marking requirement;
it is a defence if the defendant proves that he or she had no reasonable grounds for suspecting that the plastic explosive breached that marking requirement.
Note 1: A defendant bears a legal burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1) (see section 13.4).
Note 2: For the marking requirements, see section 72.33.
(2) If:
(a) a person is charged with an offence against section 72.12, 72.13 or 72.15; and
(b) the prosecution alleges that the plastic explosive breached the second marking requirement;
it is a defence if the defendant proves that, at the time of the alleged offence:
(c) the plastic explosive contained a detection agent; and
(d) the concentration of the detection agent in the plastic explosive was not less than the minimum manufacture concentration for the detection agent; and
(e) the detection agent was homogenously distributed throughout the plastic explosive.
Note 1: A defendant bears a legal burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2) (see section 13.4).
Note 2: For the marking requirements, see section 72.33.
Note 3: For minimum manufacture concentration, see section 72.34.
72.17 Packaging requirements for plastic explosives
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person manufactures a substance; and
(b) the substance is a plastic explosive; and
(c) within 24 hours after the manufacture of the plastic explosive, the person does not cause the plastic explosive to be contained, enclosed or packaged in a wrapper with:
(i) the expression “PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE” (in upper‑case lettering); and
(ii) the date of manufacture of the plastic explosive; and
(iii) if the plastic explosive is of a prescribed type—that type; and
(iv) if the plastic explosive contains a detection agent for the purpose of meeting the first marking requirement—the name of the detection agent; and
(v) if the plastic explosive contains a detection agent for the purpose of meeting the first marking requirement—the concentration of the detection agent in the plastic explosive at the time of manufacture, expressed as a percentage by mass;
legibly displayed on the outer surface of the wrapper.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) The fault element for paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) is recklessness.
72.18 Authorisation for research etc.
Authorisation
(1) A responsible Minister may, by writing, authorise:
(a) the trafficking in; or
(b) the import, export, manufacture or possession of;
an unmarked plastic explosive.
(2) A responsible Minister must not give an authorisation under subsection (1) in relation to an unmarked plastic explosive unless the responsible Minister is satisfied that:
(a) the plastic explosive is for use exclusively for one or more of the following:
(i) research, development or testing of new or modified explosives;
(ii) development or testing of explosives detection equipment;
(iii) training in explosives detection;
(iv) forensic science; or
(b) both:
(i) the plastic explosive is an integral part of an explosive device that was manufactured exclusively for defence purposes; and
(ii) the explosive device is for use exclusively for defence purposes; or
(c) the plastic explosive will, within 3 years after the commencement of this section, become an integral part of an explosive device manufactured exclusively for defence purposes.
(3) An authorisation under subsection (1) must specify the grounds on which it was given.
Conditions and restrictions
(4) An authorisation under subsection (1) is subject to such conditions and restrictions as are specified in the authorisation.
(5) A responsible Minister must not give an authorisation under subsection (1) in relation to an unmarked plastic explosive on grounds covered by paragraph (2)(a) unless the authorisation is subject to a condition imposing a limit as to the quantity of the plastic explosive.
Criteria
(6) In exercising a power conferred by this section in relation to:
(a) the trafficking in; or
(b) the import, export, manufacture or possession of;
an unmarked plastic explosive, a responsible Minister must have regard to:
(c) the Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives; and
(d) whether the trafficking, import, export, manufacture or possession is reasonable; and
(e) such other matters (if any) as the responsible Minister considers relevant.
72.19 Authorisation for defence and police purposes—15 year limit
Authorisation
(1) A responsible Minister may, by writing, authorise:
(a) the trafficking in; or
(b) the import, export or possession of;
an unmarked plastic explosive that was manufactured before the commencement of this section.
(2) A responsible Minister must not give an authorisation under subsection (1) in relation to an unmarked plastic explosive unless the responsible Minister is satisfied that the plastic explosive is exclusively for use in connection with:
(a) the operation of the Australian Defence Force; or
(b) the operation in Australia of a visiting force (within the meaning of the Defence (Visiting Forces) Act 1963); or
(c) the operation of:
(i) the Australian Federal Police; or
(ii) the police force or police service of a State or Territory.
Conditions and restrictions
(3) An authorisation under subsection (1) is subject to such conditions and restrictions as are specified in the authorisation.
Criteria
(4) In exercising a power conferred by this section in relation to:
(a) the trafficking in; or
(b) the import, export or possession of;
an unmarked plastic explosive, a responsible Minister must have regard to:
(c) the Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives; and
(d) whether the trafficking, import, export or possession is reasonable; and
(e) such other matters (if any) as the responsible Minister considers relevant.
Sunset
(5) This section ceases to have effect at the end of 15 years after its commencement.
72.22 Authorisation for overseas defence purposes—7 day limit
(1) A member of the Australian Defence Force is authorised to possess, import or traffic in an unmarked plastic explosive if:
(a) the plastic explosive was obtained in the course of the operation outside Australia of the Australian Defence Force; and
(b) the member believes on reasonable grounds that there is insufficient time to obtain an authorisation under this Subdivision because of:
(i) an emergency; or
(ii) any other sudden or unexpected circumstances.
(2) An authorisation under subsection (1) ceases to have effect at the end of the seventh day after the day on which the plastic explosive was obtained.
72.23 Authorisation for overseas Australian Federal Police purposes—7 day limit
(1) A member of the Australian Federal Police is authorised to possess, import or traffic in an unmarked plastic explosive if:
(a) the plastic explosive was obtained in the course of the operation outside Australia of the Australian Federal Police; and
(b) the member believes on reasonable grounds that there is insufficient time to obtain an authorisation under this Subdivision because of:
(i) an emergency; or
(ii) any other sudden or unexpected circumstances.
(2) An authorisation under subsection (1) ceases to have effect at the end of the seventh day after the day on which the plastic explosive was obtained.
72.24 Forfeited plastic explosives
(1) If a court:
(a) convicts a person of an offence against this Subdivision in relation to a plastic explosive; or
(b) makes an order under section 19B of the Crimes Act 1914 in respect of a person charged with an offence against this Subdivision in relation to a plastic explosive;
the court may order the forfeiture to the Commonwealth of the plastic explosive.
(2) A plastic explosive forfeited to the Commonwealth under subsection (1) becomes the property of the Commonwealth.
(3) A plastic explosive forfeited to the Commonwealth under subsection (1) is to be dealt with in such manner as a responsible Minister directs.
(4) Without limiting subsection (3), a responsible Minister may direct that a plastic explosive forfeited to the Commonwealth under subsection (1) be:
(a) destroyed; or
(b) used exclusively for one or more of the purposes covered by paragraph 72.18(2)(a).
Note 1: See also section 10.5 (lawful authority).
Note 2: See also section 229 of the Customs Act 1901 (forfeiture of goods that have been unlawfully imported or exported).
72.25 Surrendered plastic explosives
(1) A person may surrender a plastic explosive to the Commonwealth at a place, and in a manner, prescribed for the purposes of this subsection.
(2) A plastic explosive surrendered to the Commonwealth under subsection (1) becomes the property of the Commonwealth.
(3) A plastic explosive surrendered to the Commonwealth under subsection (1) is to be dealt with in such manner as a responsible Minister directs.
(4) Without limiting subsection (3), a responsible Minister may direct that a plastic explosive surrendered to the Commonwealth under subsection (1) be:
(a) destroyed; or
(b) used exclusively for one or more of the purposes covered by paragraph 72.18(2)(a).
Note: See also section 10.5 (lawful authority).
72.26 Destruction of plastic explosives obtained overseas for defence purposes
A member of the Australian Defence Force may destroy an unmarked plastic explosive if the plastic explosive was obtained in the course of the operation outside Australia of the Australian Defence Force.
72.27 Destruction of plastic explosives obtained overseas for Australian Federal Police purposes
A member of the Australian Federal Police may destroy an unmarked plastic explosive if the plastic explosive was obtained in the course of the operation outside Australia of the Australian Federal Police.
72.28 Delegation by AFP Minister
(1) The AFP Minister may, by writing, delegate to:
(a) the Secretary of the Department administered by that Minister; or
(b) an SES employee, or an acting SES employee, in that Department, where the employee occupies or acts in a position with a classification of Senior Executive Band 3;
all or any of the AFP Minister’s powers under sections 72.18, 72.19, 72.24 and 72.25.
(2) A delegate is, in the exercise of a power delegated under subsection (1), subject to the written directions of the AFP Minister.
72.29 Delegation by Minister for Defence
(1) The Minister for Defence may, by writing, delegate to:
(a) an SES employee, or an acting SES employee, in the Department of Defence, where the employee occupies or acts in a position with a classification of Senior Executive Band 3; or
(b) an officer of the Australian Navy who holds the rank of Vice‑Admiral or a higher rank; or
(c) an officer of the Australian Army who holds the rank of Lieutenant‑General or a higher rank; or
(d) an officer of the Australian Air Force who holds the rank of Air Marshal or a higher rank; or
(e) an officer of the Australian Defence Force who is on deployment as the Commander of an Australian Task Force, contingent or force element that is operating outside Australia;
all or any of the powers of the Minister for Defence under sections 72.18, 72.19, 72.24 and 72.25.
(2) A delegate must not exercise a power delegated under subsection (1) unless the exercise of the power relates to:
(a) the operation of the Australian Defence Force; or
(b) the operation in Australia of a visiting force (within the meaning of the Defence (Visiting Forces) Act 1963); or
(c) the operation outside Australia of a person who, under a contract, performs services for the Australian Defence Force.
(3) A delegate is, in the exercise of a power delegated under subsection (1), subject to the written directions of the Minister for Defence.
72.30 Review by Administrative Review Tribunal of authorisation decisions
(1) An application may be made to the Administrative Review Tribunal for review of a decision refusing to give an authorisation under subsection 72.18(1) or 72.19(1).
(2) An application may be made to the Administrative Review Tribunal for review of a decision to specify a condition or restriction in an authorisation under subsection 72.18(1) or 72.19(1), but such an application may only be made by a person to whom the authorisation applies.
72.31 Geographical jurisdiction
Section 15.2 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category B) applies to each offence against this Subdivision.
This Subdivision is not intended to exclude or limit the operation of any other law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.
(1) This section sets out the 2 marking requirements for a plastic explosive.
Concentration of detection agent at time of manufacture
(2) The first marking requirement is that, at the time of the manufacture of the plastic explosive, all of the following conditions were satisfied:
(a) the plastic explosive contained a detection agent;
(b) the concentration of the detection agent in the plastic explosive was not less than the minimum manufacture concentration for the detection agent;
(c) the detection agent was homogenously distributed throughout the plastic explosive.
Note: For minimum manufacture concentration, see section 72.34.
Freshness
(3) The second marking requirement is that less than 10 years have elapsed since the manufacture of the plastic explosive.
Interpretation
(4) In determining whether a plastic explosive manufactured before the commencement of this section breached the first marking requirement, assume that this section and sections 72.34 and 72.36 had been in force at the time of manufacture.
72.34 Detection agents and minimum manufacture concentrations
For the purposes of this Subdivision, the following table defines:
(a) detection agent; and
(b) the minimum manufacture concentration for each detection agent.
Detection agents and minimum manufacture concentrations | ||
Item | Detection agent | Minimum manufacture concentration |
1 | Ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN) (molecular formula: C2H4(NO3)2) (molecular weight: 152) | 0.2% by mass |
2 | 2,3‑Dimethyl‑2,3‑dinitrobutane (DMNB) (molecular formula: C6H12(NO2)2) (molecular weight: 176) | 1% by mass |
3 | para‑Mononitrotoluene (p‑MNT) (molecular formula: C7H7NO2) (molecular weight: 137) | 0.5% by mass |
4 | a substance prescribed for the purposes of this table item | the concentration prescribed for the purposes of this table item in relation to the substance |
72.35 Presumption as to concentration of detection agent
(1) This section applies in relation to a prosecution for an offence against this Subdivision.
(2) If no detection agent can be detected in a sample of a plastic explosive when tested using:
(a) a method generally accepted in the scientific community as a reliable means of measuring the concentration of detection agents in plastic explosives; or
(b) a method prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph;
it is presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that the plastic explosive breaches the first marking requirement.
Note: A defendant bears a legal burden in relation to proving the contrary (see section 13.4).
In this Subdivision:
AFP Minister means the Minister administering the Australian Federal Police Act 1979.
Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives means:
(a) the Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection, done at Montreal on 1 March 1991; or
(b) if:
(i) the Convention is amended; and
(ii) the amendment binds Australia;
the Convention as so amended.
Note: In 2006, the text of the Convention was accessible through the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (www.austlii.edu.au).
Department of Defence means the Department that deals with matters relating to defence.
detection agent has the meaning given by section 72.34.
explosive device includes the following:
(a) a bomb;
(b) a grenade;
(c) a mine;
(d) a missile;
(e) a perforator;
(f) a projectile;
(g) a rocket;
(h) a shaped charge;
(i) a shell.
export includes take from Australia.
first marking requirement has the meaning given by subsection 72.33(2).
high explosive means an explosive with a velocity of detonation that is greater than the velocity of sound in the explosive (typically greater than 340 metres per second), and includes the following:
(a) cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX);
(b) pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN);
(c) cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX).
import includes bring into Australia.
manufacture a substance means any process by which a substance is produced, and includes the following:
(a) the process of transforming a substance into a different substance;
(b) the reprocessing of a substance.
marking requirement has the meaning given by section 72.33.
minimum manufacture concentration has the meaning given by section 72.34.
Minister for Defence means the Minister administering the Defence Act 1903.
plastic explosive means an explosive product (including an explosive product in flexible or elastic sheet form) that is:
(a) formulated with:
(i) one or more high explosives which in their pure form have a vapour pressure less than 10¯4 Pa at a temperature of 25°C; and
(ii) a binder material; and
(b) as a mixture, malleable or flexible at normal room temperature.
possess a substance includes the following:
(a) receive or obtain possession of the substance;
(b) have control over the disposition of the substance (whether or not the substance is in the custody of the person);
(c) have joint possession of the substance.
responsible Minister means:
(a) the AFP Minister; or
(b) the Minister for Defence.
second marking requirement has the meaning given by subsection 72.33(3).
traffic in a substance means:
(a) transfer the substance; or
(b) offer the substance for sale; or
(c) invite the making of offers to buy the substance; or
(d) prepare the substance for transfer with the intention of transferring any of it or believing that another person intends to transfer any of it; or
(e) transport or deliver the substance with the intention of transferring any of it or believing that another person intends to transfer any of it; or
(f) guard or conceal the substance with the intention of transferring any of it or the intention of assisting another person to transfer any of it; or
(g) possess the substance with the intention of transferring any of it.
For the purposes of paragraph (d), preparing a substance for transfer includes packaging the substance or separating the substance into discrete units.
transfer means transfer ownership or possession.
unmarked plastic explosive means a plastic explosive that breaches a marking requirement.
wrapper, in relation to a plastic explosive, means a wrapper the inner surface of which is in contact with the plastic explosive.
Subdivision C—Cluster munitions and explosive bomblets
The purpose of this Subdivision is to create offences relating to cluster munitions and explosive bomblets and give effect to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
72.38 Offences relating to cluster munitions
Doing acts with a cluster munition
(1) A person commits an offence if the person does any of the following with a cluster munition:
(a) uses it;
(b) develops, produces or otherwise acquires it;
(c) stockpiles or retains it;
(d) transfers it to anyone.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Promoting acts with a cluster munition
(2) A person (the first person) commits an offence if:
(a) the first person assists, encourages or induces another person to do any of the following acts with a cluster munition:
(i) use it;
(ii) develop, produce or otherwise acquire it;
(iii) stockpile or retain it;
(iv) transfer it to anyone; and
(b) the other person does the act; and
(c) the first person intends that the act be done.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Geographical jurisdiction
(3) Section 15.2 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category B) applies to an offence against this section.
Relationship with other provisions
(4) Division 11 does not apply in relation to an offence against subsection (2).
Note 1: Later sections of this Subdivision set out defences.
Note 2: This section relates to Articles 1 and 9 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
72.39 Defence—acquisition or retention authorised by Defence Minister
(1) Section 72.38 does not apply to the acquisition or retention of a cluster munition authorised under subsection (2).
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1): see subsection 13.3(3).
(2) The Minister administering the Explosives Act 1961 may authorise, in writing, specified members of the Australian Defence Force or other specified Commonwealth public officials to acquire or retain specified cluster munitions for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) the development of, and training in, cluster munition and explosive submunition detection, clearance or destruction techniques;
(b) the development of cluster munition counter‑measures;
(c) the destruction of the munitions.
Note 1: For specification by class see the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.
Note 2: This section relates to paragraphs 6 and 7 of Article 3 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
(3) The regulations may prescribe requirements relating to authorisations under subsection (2).
(4) An authorisation made under subsection (2) is not a legislative instrument.
(5) The Minister described in subsection (2) may delegate his or her power under that subsection to:
(a) the Secretary of the Department administered by that Minister; or
(b) an SES employee in that Department.
Note: For the definition of SES employee see the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.
72.40 Defence—transfer for destruction etc.
Transfer to foreign party to Convention on Cluster Munitions
(1) Section 72.38 does not apply to the transfer of a cluster munition to a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) the development of, and training in, cluster munition and explosive submunition detection, clearance or destruction techniques;
(b) the development of cluster munition counter‑measures;
(c) the destruction of the munition.
Note 1: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1): see subsection 13.3(3).
Note 2: This subsection relates to paragraph 7 of Article 3 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Intended transfer to Australian Defence Force
(2) Subsections (3) and (4) have effect if:
(a) a person has a cluster munition; and
(b) the person gives notice to a police officer or member of the Australian Defence Force that the person wishes to transfer the munition to a member of the Australian Defence Force or other Commonwealth public official; and
(c) the person gives notice without delay after the first time the person has the cluster munition after the commencement of this subsection.
(3) Subsection 72.38(1) does not apply to the person stockpiling or retaining the cluster munition at any time before the person transfers it to a member of the Australian Defence Force or other Commonwealth public official.
(4) Subsection 72.38(1) does not apply to the person transferring the cluster munition to a member of the Australian Defence Force or other Commonwealth public official.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (2) and whichever of subsections (3) and (4) is relevant: see subsection 13.3(3).
A person who is an Australian citizen, is a member of the Australian Defence Force or is performing services under a Commonwealth contract does not commit an offence against section 72.38 by doing an act if:
(a) the act is done in the course of military cooperation or operations with a foreign country that is not a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions; and
(b) the act is not connected with the Commonwealth:
(i) using a cluster munition; or
(ii) developing, producing or otherwise acquiring a cluster munition; or
(iii) stockpiling or retaining a cluster munition; or
(iv) transferring a cluster munition; and
(c) the act does not consist of expressly requesting the use of a cluster munition in a case where the choice of munitions used is within the Commonwealth’s exclusive control.
Note 1: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this section: see subsection 13.3(3).
Note 2: The expression offence against section 72.38 is given an extended meaning by subsections 11.2(1) and 11.2A(1), section 11.3 and subsection 11.6(2).
Note 3: This section relates to paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 21 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
72.42 Defence—acts by military personnel of countries not party to Convention on Cluster Munitions
(1) Section 72.38 does not apply to the stockpiling, retention or transfer of a cluster munition that:
(a) is done by:
(i) a member of the armed forces of a foreign country that is not a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions; or
(ii) a person who is connected with such forces as described in subsection (2) and is neither an Australian citizen nor a resident of Australia; and
(b) is done in connection with the use by those forces of any of the following in Australia in the course of military cooperation or operations with the Australian Defence Force:
(i) a base;
(ii) an aircraft of any part of those forces or an aircraft being commanded or piloted by a member of those forces in the course of his or her duties as such a member;
(iii) a ship of any part of those forces or a ship being operated or commanded by a member of those forces in the course of his or her duties as such a member.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this section: see subsection 13.3(3).
(2) This subsection covers a person with any of the following connections with the armed forces of a foreign country that is not a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions:
(a) the person is employed by, or in the service of, any of those forces;
(b) the person is serving with an organisation accompanying any of those forces;
(c) the person is attached to or accompanying those forces and is subject to the law of that country governing any of the armed forces of that country.
72.43 Forfeiture of cluster munition
(1) This section applies if a court:
(a) convicts someone of an offence against subsection 72.38(1); or
(b) makes an order under section 19B of the Crimes Act 1914 relating to an offence against subsection 72.38(1).
Note: The expression offence against subsection 72.38(1) is given an extended meaning by subsections 11.2(1) and 11.2A(1), section 11.3 and subsection 11.6(2).
(2) The court may order forfeiture to the Commonwealth of any cluster munition involved in the offence.
(3) A cluster munition ordered to be forfeited to the Commonwealth becomes the Commonwealth’s property.
72.44 Application of this Subdivision to explosive bomblets
This Subdivision applies in relation to explosive bomblets in the same way as it applies in relation to cluster munitions.
In this Subdivision:
cluster munition has the meaning given by paragraph 2 of Article 2 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Convention on Cluster Munitions means the Convention on Cluster Munitions done at Dublin on 30 May 2008.
Note: In 2012, the text of the Convention was accessible through the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (www.austlii.edu.au).
explosive bomblet has the meaning given by paragraph 13 of Article 2 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
explosive submunition has the meaning given by paragraph 3 of Article 2 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
police officer means:
(a) a member of the Australian Federal Police (within the meaning of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979); or
(b) a special member of the Australian Federal Police (within the meaning of that Act); or
(c) a member (however described) of a police force of a State or Territory.
transfer has the meaning given by paragraph 8 of Article 2 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Note: Imports and exports are some examples of transfers.
Division 73—People smuggling and related offences
Subdivision A—People smuggling offences
73.1 Offence of people smuggling
(1) A person (the first person) is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the first person organises or facilitates the entry of another person (the other person) into a foreign country (whether or not via Australia); and
(b) the entry of the other person into the foreign country does not comply with the requirements under that country’s law for entry into the country; and
(c) the other person is not a citizen or permanent resident of the foreign country.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or 1,000 penalty units, or both.
(2) Absolute liability applies to the paragraph (1)(c) element of the offence.
(3) For the purposes of this Code, an offence against subsection (1) is to be known as the offence of people smuggling.
73.2 Aggravated offence of people smuggling (danger of death or serious harm etc.)
(1) A person (the first person) commits an offence against this section if the first person commits the offence of people smuggling (the underlying offence) in relation to another person (the victim) and either or both of the following apply:
(b) in committing the underlying offence, the first person subjects the victim to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment;
(c) in committing the underlying offence:
(i) the first person’s conduct gives rise to a danger of death or serious harm to the victim; and
(ii) the first person is reckless as to the danger of death or serious harm to the victim that arises from the conduct.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years or 2,000 penalty units, or both.
(2) There is no fault element for the physical element of conduct described in subsection (1), that the first person commits the underlying offence, other than the fault elements (however described), if any, for the underlying offence.
(2A) To avoid doubt, the first person may be convicted of an offence against this section even if the first person has not been convicted of the underlying offence.
73.3 Aggravated offence of people smuggling (at least 5 people)
(1) A person (the first person) is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the first person organises or facilitates the entry of a group of at least 5 persons (the other persons) into a foreign country (whether or not via Australia); and
(b) the entry of at least 5 of the other persons into the foreign country does not comply with the requirements under that country’s law for entry into that country; and
(c) at least 5 of the other persons whose entry into the foreign country is covered by paragraph (b) are not citizens or permanent residents of the foreign country.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years or 2,000 penalty units, or both.
(2) Absolute liability applies to the paragraph (1)(c) element of the offence.
(3) If, on a trial for an offence against subsection (1), the trier of fact is not satisfied that the defendant is guilty of that offence, but is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of an offence against subsection 73.1(1), the trier of fact may find the defendant not guilty of an offence against subsection (1) but guilty of an offence against subsection 73.1(1), so long as the defendant has been accorded procedural fairness in relation to that finding of guilt.
73.3A Supporting the offence of people smuggling
(1) A person (the first person) commits an offence if:
(a) the first person provides material support or resources to another person or an organisation (the receiver); and
(b) the support or resources aids the receiver, or a person or organisation other than the receiver, to engage in conduct constituting the offence of people smuggling.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or 1,000 penalty units, or both.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the conduct constituting the offence of people smuggling relates, or would relate, to:
(a) the first person; or
(b) a group of persons that includes the first person.
(3) To avoid doubt, the first person commits an offence against subsection (1) even if the offence of people smuggling is not committed.
73.4 Jurisdictional requirement
A person commits an offence against this Subdivision only if:
(a) both:
(i) the person is an Australian citizen or a resident of Australia; and
(ii) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly outside Australia; or
(b) both:
(i) the conduct constituting the alleged offence occurs wholly or partly in Australia; and
(ii) a result of the conduct occurs, or is intended by the person to occur, outside Australia.
73.5 Attorney‑General’s consent required
(1) Proceedings for an offence against this Subdivision must not be commenced without the Attorney‑General’s written consent.
(2) However, a person may be arrested, charged, remanded in custody or released on bail in connection with an offence against this Subdivision before the necessary consent has been given.
73.6 Meaning of travel or identity document
(1) For the purposes of this Subdivision, a document is a travel or identity document if it is:
(a) a travel document; or
(b) an identity document.
73.7 Meaning of false travel or identity document
(1) For the purposes of this Subdivision, a travel or identity document is a false travel or identity document if, and only if:
(a) the document, or any part of the document:
(i) purports to have been made in the form in which it is made by a person who did not make it in that form; or
(ii) purports to have been made in the form in which it is made on the authority of a person who did not authorise its making in that form; or
(b) the document, or any part of the document:
(i) purports to have been made in the terms in which it is made by a person who did not make it in those terms; or
(ii) purports to have been made in the terms in which it is made on the authority of a person who did not authorise its making in those terms; or
(c) the document, or any part of the document:
(i) purports to have been altered in any respect by a person who did not alter it in that respect; or
(ii) purports to have been altered in any respect on the authority of a person who did not authorise its alteration in that respect; or
(d) the document, or any part of the document:
(i) purports to have been made or altered by a person who did not exist; or
(ii) purports to have been made or altered on the authority of a person who did not exist; or
(e) the document, or any part of the document, purports to have been made or altered on a date on which, at a time at which, at a place at which, or otherwise in circumstances in which, it was not made or altered.
(2) For the purposes of this Subdivision, a person is taken to make a false travel or identity document if the person alters a document so as to make it a false travel or identity document (whether or not it was already a false travel or identity document before the alteration).
(3) This section has effect as if a document that purports to be a true copy of another document were the original document.
73.8 Making, providing or possessing a false travel or identity document
A person (the first person) commits an offence if:
(a) the first person makes, provides or possesses a false travel or identity document; and
(b) the first person intends that the document will be used to facilitate the entry of another person (the other person) into a foreign country, where the entry of the other person into the foreign country would not comply with the requirements under that country’s law for entry into the country; and
(c) the first person made, provided or possessed the document:
(i) having obtained (whether directly or indirectly) a benefit to do so; or
(ii) with the intention of obtaining (whether directly or indirectly) a benefit.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or 1,000 penalty units, or both.
(1) A person (the first person) commits an offence if:
(a) the first person provides or possesses a travel or identity document; and
(b) the first person knows that:
(i) the issue of the travel or identity document; or
(ii) an alteration of the travel or identity document;
has been obtained dishonestly or by threats; and
(c) the first person intends that the document will be used to facilitate the entry of another person (the other person) into a foreign country, where the entry of the other person into the foreign country would not comply with the requirements under that country’s law for entry into the country; and
(d) the first person provided or possessed the document:
(i) having obtained (whether directly or indirectly) a benefit to do so; or
(ii) with the intention of obtaining (whether directly or indirectly) a benefit.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or 1,000 penalty units, or both.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a threat may be:
(a) express or implied; or
(b) conditional or unconditional.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), dishonest means:
(a) dishonest according to the standards of ordinary people; and
(b) known by the defendant to be dishonest according to the standards of ordinary people.
(4) In a prosecution for an offence against this section, the determination of dishonesty is a matter for the trier of fact.
A person (the first person) commits an offence if:
(a) the first person provides or possesses a travel or identity document; and
(b) the first person intends that the document will be used to facilitate the entry of another person (the other person) into a foreign country, where the entry of the other person into the foreign country would not comply with the requirements under that country’s law for entry into the country; and
(c) the first person knows that the other person is not the person to whom the document applies; and
(d) the first person provided or possessed the document:
(i) having obtained (whether directly or indirectly) a benefit to do so; or
(ii) with the intention of obtaining (whether directly or indirectly) a benefit.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or 1,000 penalty units, or both.
73.11 Taking possession of or destroying another person’s travel or identity document
A person (the first person) commits an offence if:
(a) the first person takes possession of, or destroys, a travel or identity document that applies to another person (the other person); and
(b) the first person does so intending to conceal the other person’s identity or nationality; and
(c) at the time of doing so, the first person intends to organise or facilitate the entry of the other person into a foreign country:
(i) having obtained, or with the intention of obtaining, whether directly or indirectly, a benefit to organise or facilitate that entry; and
(ii) where the entry of the other person into the foreign country would not comply with the requirements under that country’s law for entry into the country.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or 1,000 penalty units, or both.
73.12 Jurisdictional requirement
Section 15.2 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category B) applies to an offence against this Subdivision.
Chapter 5—The security of the Commonwealth
Part 5.1—Treason and related offences
In this Division:
organisation means:
(a) a body corporate; or
(b) an unincorporated body;
whether or not the body is based outside Australia, consists of persons who are not Australian citizens, or is part of a larger organisation.
party includes a person, body or group of any kind.
80.1AAA Expressions also used in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979
The meaning of an expression in this Division does not affect the meaning of that expression in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979, unless that Act expressly provides otherwise.
(1) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) causes the death of the Sovereign, the heir apparent of the Sovereign, the consort of the Sovereign, the Governor‑General or the Prime Minister; or
(b) causes harm to the Sovereign, the Governor‑General or the Prime Minister resulting in the death of the Sovereign, the Governor‑General or the Prime Minister; or
(c) causes harm to the Sovereign, the Governor‑General or the Prime Minister, or imprisons or restrains the Sovereign, the Governor‑General or the Prime Minister; or
(d) levies war, or does any act preparatory to levying war, against the Commonwealth; or
(g) instigates a person who is not an Australian citizen to make an armed invasion of the Commonwealth or a Territory of the Commonwealth.
Penalty: Imprisonment for life.
(2) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) receives or assists another person who, to his or her knowledge, has committed an offence against this Subdivision (other than this subsection) with the intention of allowing him or her to escape punishment or apprehension; or
(b) knowing that another person intends to commit an offence against this Subdivision (other than this subsection), does not inform a constable of it within a reasonable time or use other reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence.
Penalty: Imprisonment for life.
(8) In this section:
constable means a member or special member of the Australian Federal Police or a member of the police force or police service of a State or Territory.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) a party (the enemy) is engaged in armed conflict involving the Commonwealth or the Australian Defence Force; and
(b) the enemy is declared in a Proclamation made under section 80.1AB; and
(c) the person engages in conduct; and
(d) the person intends that the conduct will materially assist the enemy to engage in armed conflict involving the Commonwealth or the Australian Defence Force; and
(e) the conduct materially assists the enemy to engage in armed conflict involving the Commonwealth or the Australian Defence Force; and
(f) at the time the person engages in the conduct:
(i) the person knows that the person is an Australian citizen or a resident of Australia; or
(ii) the person knows that the person has voluntarily put himself or herself under the protection of the Commonwealth; or
(iii) the person is a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.
Note 1: There is a defence in section 80.3 for acts done in good faith.
Note 2: If a body corporate is convicted of an offence against subsection (1), subsection 4B(3) of the Crimes Act 1914 allows a court to impose a fine of up to 10,000 penalty units.
Penalty: Imprisonment for life.
(2) Strict liability applies to paragraph (1)(b) and subparagraph (1)(f)(iii).
(3) Absolute liability applies to paragraph (1)(e).
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to engagement in conduct solely by way of, or for the purposes of, the provision of aid or assistance of a humanitarian nature.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
The Governor‑General may, by Proclamation, declare a party to be an enemy engaged in armed conflict involving the Commonwealth or the Australian Defence Force.
Note: See subsection 80.1AA(1) for the effect of the Proclamation.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct involves the use of force or violence; and
(c) the person engages in the conduct with the intention of overthrowing:
(i) the Constitution; or
(ii) the Government of the Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory; or
(iii) the lawful authority of the Government of the Commonwealth.
Note 1: There is a defence in section 80.3 for acts done in good faith.
Note 2: If a body corporate is convicted of an offence against subsection (1), subsection 4B(3) of the Crimes Act 1914 allows a court to impose a fine of up to 10,000 penalty units.
Penalty: Imprisonment for life.
Subdivision C—Urging violence and advocating terrorism or genocide
80.2 Urging violence against the Constitution etc.
Urging the overthrow of the Constitution or Government by force or violence
(1) A person (the first person) commits an offence if:
(a) the first person intentionally urges another person to overthrow by force or violence:
(i) the Constitution; or
(ii) the Government of the Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory; or
(iii) the lawful authority of the Government of the Commonwealth; and
(b) the first person does so intending that force or violence will occur.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Note: For intention, see section 5.2.
(2) Recklessness applies to the element of the offence under subsection (1) that it is:
(a) the Constitution; or
(b) the Government of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or
(c) the lawful authority of the Government of the Commonwealth;
that the first person urges the other person to overthrow.
Urging interference in Parliamentary elections or constitutional referenda by force or violence
(3) A person (the first person) commits an offence if:
(a) the first person intentionally urges another person to interfere, by force or violence, with lawful processes for:
(i) an election of a member or members of a House of the Parliament; or
(ii) a referendum; and
(b) the first person does so intending that force or violence will occur.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Note: For intention, see section 5.2.
(4) Recklessness applies to the element of the offence under subsection (3) that it is lawful processes for an election of a member or members of a House of the Parliament, or for a referendum, that the first person urges the other person to interfere with.
Note: There is a defence in section 80.3 for acts done in good faith.
80.2A Urging violence against groups
Offences
(1) A person (the first person) commits an offence if:
(a) the first person intentionally urges another person, or a group, to use force or violence against a group (the targeted group); and
(b) the first person does so intending that force or violence will occur; and
(c) the targeted group is distinguished by race, religion, nationality, national or ethnic origin or political opinion; and
(d) the use of the force or violence would threaten the peace, order and good government of the Commonwealth.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Note: For intention, see section 5.2.
(2) A person (the first person) commits an offence if:
(a) the first person intentionally urges another person, or a group, to use force or violence against a group (the targeted group); and
(b) the first person does so intending that force or violence will occur; and
(c) the targeted group is distinguished by race, religion, nationality, national or ethnic origin or political opinion.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
Note: For intention, see section 5.2.
(3) The fault element for paragraphs (1)(c) and (2)(c) is recklessness.
Note: For recklessness, see section 5.4.
Alternative verdict
(4) Subsection (5) applies if, in a prosecution for an offence (the prosecuted offence) against subsection (1), the trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied that the defendant is guilty of the offence; but
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of an offence (the alternative offence) against subsection (2).
(5) The trier of fact may find the defendant not guilty of the prosecuted offence but guilty of the alternative offence, so long as the defendant has been accorded procedural fairness in relation to that finding of guilt.
Note: There is a defence in section 80.3 for acts done in good faith.
80.2B Urging violence against members of groups
Offences
(1) A person (the first person) commits an offence if:
(a) the first person intentionally urges another person, or a group, to use force or violence against a person (the targeted person); and
(b) the first person does so intending that force or violence will occur; and
(c) the first person does so because of his or her belief that the targeted person is a member of a group (the targeted group); and
(d) the targeted group is distinguished by race, religion, nationality, national or ethnic origin or political opinion; and
(e) the use of the force or violence would threaten the peace, order and good government of the Commonwealth.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Note: For intention, see section 5.2.
(2) A person (the first person) commits an offence if:
(a) the first person intentionally urges another person, or a group, to use force or violence against a person (the targeted person); and
(b) the first person does so intending that force or violence will occur; and
(c) the first person does so because of his or her belief that the targeted person is a member of a group (the targeted group); and
(d) the targeted group is distinguished by race, religion, nationality, national or ethnic origin or political opinion.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
Note: For intention, see section 5.2.
(3) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(c) and (2)(c), it is immaterial whether the targeted person actually is a member of the targeted group.
(4) The fault element for paragraphs (1)(d) and (2)(d) is recklessness.
Note: For recklessness, see section 5.4.
Alternative verdict
(5) Subsection (6) applies if, in a prosecution for an offence (the prosecuted offence) against subsection (1), the trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied that the defendant is guilty of the offence; but
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of an offence (the alternative offence) against subsection (2).
(6) The trier of fact may find the defendant not guilty of the prosecuted offence but guilty of the alternative offence, so long as the defendant has been accorded procedural fairness in relation to that finding of guilt.
Note: There is a defence in section 80.3 for acts done in good faith.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person advocates:
(i) the doing of a terrorist act; or
(ii) the commission of a terrorism offence referred to in subsection (2); and
(b) the person engages in that conduct reckless as to whether another person will:
(i) engage in a terrorist act; or
(ii) commit a terrorism offence referred to in subsection (2).
Note: There is a defence in section 80.3 for acts done in good faith.
Penalty:
(a) if subparagraph (a)(i) of this subsection applies—imprisonment for 7 years; or
(b) if subparagraph (a)(ii) of this subsection applies—imprisonment for 7 years or for the maximum term of imprisonment for the terrorism offence advocated, whichever is the lesser.
(2) A terrorism offence is referred to in this subsection if:
(a) the offence is punishable on conviction by imprisonment for 5 years or more; and
(b) the offence is not:
(i) an offence against section 11.1 (attempt), 11.4 (incitement) or 11.5 (conspiracy) to the extent that it relates to a terrorism offence; or
(ii) a terrorism offence that a person is taken to have committed because of section 11.2 (complicity and common purpose), 11.2A (joint commission) or 11.3 (commission by proxy).
Definitions
(3) In this section:
advocates: a person advocates the doing of a terrorist act or the commission of a terrorism offence if:
(a) the person counsels, promotes, encourages or urges the doing of a terrorist act or the commission of a terrorism offence; or
(b) the person provides instruction on the doing of a terrorist act or the commission of a terrorism offence; or
(c) the person praises the doing of a terrorist act or the commission of a terrorism offence in circumstances where there is a substantial risk that such praise might have the effect of leading another person to engage in a terrorist act or to commit a terrorism offence.
terrorism offence has the same meaning as in subsection 3(1) of the Crimes Act 1914.
terrorist act has the same meaning as in section 100.1.
(4) A reference in this section to advocating the doing of a terrorist act or the commission of a terrorism offence includes a reference to:
(a) advocating the doing of a terrorist act or the commission of a terrorism offence, even if a terrorist act or terrorism offence does not occur; and
(b) advocating the doing of a specific terrorist act or the commission of a specific terrorism offence; and
(c) advocating the doing of more than one terrorist act or the commission of more than one terrorism offence.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person advocates genocide; and
(b) the person engages in that conduct reckless as to whether another person will engage in genocide.
Note: There is a defence in section 80.3 for acts done in good faith.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Double jeopardy
(2) A person cannot be tried by a federal court or a court of a State or Territory for an offence against subsection (1) if the person has already been convicted or acquitted by the International Criminal Court for an offence constituted by substantially the same conduct as constituted the offence against subsection (1).
Definitions
(3) In this section:
advocate means counsel, promote, encourage or urge.
genocide means the commission of an offence against Subdivision B (genocide) of Division 268, other than:
(a) an offence against section 11.1 (attempt), 11.4 (incitement) or 11.5 (conspiracy) to the extent that it relates to an offence against that Subdivision; or
(b) an offence against that Subdivision that a person is taken to have committed because of section 11.2 (complicity and common purpose), 11.2A (joint commission) or 11.3 (commission by proxy).
(4) A reference in this section to advocating genocide includes a reference to:
(a) advocating genocide, even if genocide does not occur; and
(b) advocating the commission of a specific offence that is genocide; and
(c) advocating the commission of more than one offence, each of which is genocide.
Subdivision CA—Publicly displaying, and trading in, prohibited symbols and giving Nazi salute
(1) Each of the following is a prohibited symbol:
(a) a prohibited Nazi symbol;
(b) a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol.
(2) Each of the following is a prohibited Nazi symbol:
(a) the Nazi hakenkreuz;
(b) the Nazi double‑sig rune;
(c) something that so nearly resembles a thing to which paragraph (a) or (b) applies that it is likely to be confused with, or mistaken for, that thing.
(3) Each of the following is a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol:
(a) a symbol that a terrorist organisation (within the meaning of Division 102) uses, or members of a terrorist organisation use, to identify the organisation;
(b) something that so nearly resembles a symbol to which paragraph (a) applies that it is likely to be confused with, or mistaken for, that symbol.
80.2F Meaning of displayed in a public place
(1) A thing is displayed in a public place if it is capable of being seen by a member of the public who is in a public place (whether or not the thing is actually so seen by a member of the public).
(2) A thing is also displayed in a public place if it is included in:
(a) a document (including, for example, a newspaper, magazine, program, leaflet or ticket); or
(b) a film, video or television program;
that is available, or distributed, to the public or a section of the public.
(3) A thing is also displayed in a public place if it is included in a document, film, video or television program that is available, or distributed to, the public or a section of the public by means of a telegraphic, telephonic or other like service within the meaning of paragraph 51(v) of the Constitution including, for example, by means of the internet.
Example: If a thing is included in a document that is available to the public or a section of the public on a website, then the thing is displayed in a public place under this subsection.
(4) In this section, available or distributed includes available or distributed as of right or by invitation, whether express or implied, and whether or not a charge is made for availability or distribution.
80.2FA Meaning of makes a gesture in a public place
A person makes a gesture in a public place if:
(a) the person makes a gesture; and
(b) the gesture is capable of being seen by a member of the public who is in a public place (whether or not the gesture is actually so seen by a member of the public).
(1) For the purposes of this Subdivision, a person trades in goods if:
(a) the person sells the goods; or
(b) the person prepares the goods for supply with the intention of selling the goods or believing that another person intends to sell the goods; or
(c) the person transports the goods with the intention of selling the goods or believing that another person intends to sell the goods; or
(d) the person guards or conceals the goods with the intention of selling the goods or assisting another person to sell the goods; or
(e) the person possesses the goods with the intention of selling the goods.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) and sections 80.2J and 80.2JA, preparing goods for supply includes packaging the goods or separating the goods into discrete units.
(3) This section and sections 80.2J and 80.2JA apply in relation to leasing out or renting out (or agreeing to lease out or rent out) in the same way as they apply in relation to selling.
(4) In this section and sections 80.2J and 80.2JA:
conceal goods includes conceal or disguise:
(a) the nature, source or location of the goods; or
(b) any movement of the goods; or
(c) the rights of any person with respect to the goods; or
(d) the identity of any owner of the goods.
possession of goods includes the following:
(a) receiving or obtaining possession of the goods;
(b) having control over the disposition of the goods (whether or not the goods are in the custody of the person);
(c) having joint possession of the goods.
sell includes the following:
(a) barter or exchange;
(b) agree to sell.
supply includes the following:
(a) supply, whether or not by way of sale;
(b) agree to supply.
transport includes deliver.
80.2H Public display of prohibited Nazi symbols or giving Nazi salute
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) causes a thing to be displayed in a public place; or
(ii) makes a gesture in a public place; and
(b) the thing is a prohibited Nazi symbol, or the gesture is a Nazi salute; and
(c) subsection (3), (4) or (7) applies; and
(d) subsection (9) does not apply.
Note: For defences, see subsection (10).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.
(2) Absolute liability applies to paragraphs (1)(c) and (d).
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), this subsection applies if a reasonable person would consider that the conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a):
(a) involves dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or racial hatred; or
(b) could incite another person or a group of persons to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate:
(i) a person (the targeted person) because of the race of the targeted person; or
(ii) the members of a group of persons (the targeted group) because of the race of some or all of the members of the targeted group.
Note: The object of this subsection is to give further effect to Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, done at New York on 21 December 1965. The Convention is in Australian Treaty Series 1975 No. 40 ([1975] ATS 40) and could in 2023 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), this subsection applies if a reasonable person would consider that the conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) involves advocacy that:
(a) is advocacy of hatred of:
(i) a group of persons distinguished by race, religion or nationality (a targeted group); or
(ii) a member of a targeted group; and
(b) constitutes incitement of another person or group of persons to offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate or use force or violence against:
(i) the targeted group; or
(ii) a member of the targeted group.
Note: The object of this subsection is to give further effect to article 20 of the Covenant.
(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4)(a), it does not matter whether the conduct actually results in the hatred mentioned in that paragraph.
(6) For the purposes of paragraph (4)(b), it does not matter whether the conduct actually incites another person as mentioned in that paragraph.
(7) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), this subsection applies if the conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) is likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate a person who is:
(a) a reasonable person; and
(b) a member of a group of persons distinguished by race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion or national or social origin;
because of the reasonable person’s membership of that group.
Note: The object of this subsection is to give further effect to article 26 of the Covenant.
(8) For the purposes of subsection (7), it does not matter whether a member of the group sees:
(a) the thing while it is displayed in a public place; or
(b) the gesture while it is made in a public place.
(9) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(d), this subsection applies if a reasonable person would consider that:
(a) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) is engaged in for a purpose that is:
(i) a religious, academic, educational, artistic, literary or scientific purpose; and
(ii) not contrary to the public interest; or
(b) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) is engaged in for the purposes of making a news report, or a current affairs report, that:
(i) is in the public interest; and
(ii) is made by a person working in a professional journalistic capacity.
Defences
(10) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person engaging in conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) if:
(a) engaging in the conduct is necessary for enforcing a law of:
(i) the Commonwealth; or
(ii) a State; or
(iii) a Territory; or
(iv) a foreign country; or
(v) a part of a foreign country; or
(b) engaging in the conduct is necessary for monitoring compliance with, or investigating a contravention of, a law of:
(i) the Commonwealth; or
(ii) a State; or
(iii) a Territory; or
(iv) a foreign country; or
(v) a part of a foreign country; or
(c) the person engages in the conduct for the purposes of proceedings in a court or tribunal; or
(d) both:
(i) the person engages in the conduct in connection with the performance by a public official of the official’s duties or functions; and
(ii) engaging in the conduct is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of the public official performing that duty or function; or
(e) both:
(i) the person engages in the conduct in connection with an individual assisting a public official in relation to the performance of the public official’s duties or functions; and
(ii) engaging in the conduct is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of the individual assisting the public official in relation to the performance of the public official’s duties or functions; or
(f) the person genuinely engages in the conduct for the purpose of opposing Nazi ideology, fascism or a related ideology.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Functions
(11) The references in this section to function or functions do not, by implication, affect the meaning of the expressions duty or duties when used in any other provision of this Code.
80.2HA Public display of prohibited terrorist organisation symbols
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person causes a thing to be displayed in a public place; and
(b) the person knows that the thing is a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol; and
(c) subsection (3), (4) or (7) applies; and
(d) subsection (9) does not apply.
Note: For defences, see subsection (10).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.
(2) Absolute liability applies to paragraphs (1)(c) and (d).
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), this subsection applies if a reasonable person would consider that the conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a):
(a) involves dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or racial hatred; or
(b) could incite another person or a group of persons to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate:
(i) a person (the targeted person) because of the race of the targeted person; or
(ii) the members of a group of persons (the targeted group) because of the race of some or all of the members of the targeted group.
Note: The object of this subsection is to give further effect to Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, done at New York on 21 December 1965. The Convention is in Australian Treaty Series 1975 No. 40 ([1975] ATS 40) and could in 2023 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), this subsection applies if a reasonable person would consider that the conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) involves advocacy that:
(a) is advocacy of hatred of:
(i) a group of persons distinguished by race, religion or nationality (a targeted group); or
(ii) a member of a targeted group; and
(b) constitutes incitement of another person or group of persons to offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate or use force or violence against:
(i) the targeted group; or
(ii) a member of the targeted group.
Note: The object of this subsection is to give further effect to article 20 of the Covenant.
(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4)(a), it does not matter whether the conduct actually results in the hatred mentioned in that paragraph.
(6) For the purposes of paragraph (4)(b), it does not matter whether the conduct actually incites another person as mentioned in that paragraph.
(7) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), this subsection applies if the conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) is likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate a person who is:
(a) a reasonable person; and
(b) a member of a group of persons distinguished by race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion or national or social origin;
because of the reasonable person’s membership of that group.
Note: The object of this subsection is to give further effect to article 26 of the Covenant.
(8) For the purposes of subsection (7), it does not matter whether a member of the group sees the thing while it is displayed in a public place.
(9) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(d), this subsection applies if a reasonable person would consider that:
(a) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) is engaged in for a purpose that is:
(i) a religious, academic, educational, artistic, literary or scientific purpose; and
(ii) not contrary to the public interest; or
(b) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) is engaged in for the purposes of making a news report, or a current affairs report, that:
(i) is in the public interest; and
(ii) is made by a person working in a professional journalistic capacity.
Defences
(10) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person engaging in conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) if:
(a) engaging in the conduct is necessary for enforcing a law of:
(i) the Commonwealth; or
(ii) a State; or
(iii) a Territory; or
(iv) a foreign country; or
(v) a part of a foreign country; or
(b) engaging in the conduct is necessary for monitoring compliance with, or investigating a contravention of, a law of:
(i) the Commonwealth; or
(ii) a State; or
(iii) a Territory; or
(iv) a foreign country; or
(v) a part of a foreign country; or
(c) the person engages in the conduct for the purposes of proceedings in a court or tribunal; or
(d) both:
(i) the person engages in the conduct in connection with the performance by a public official of the official’s duties or functions; and
(ii) engaging in the conduct is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of the public official performing that duty or function; or
(e) both:
(i) the person engages in the conduct in connection with an individual assisting a public official in relation to the performance of the public official’s duties or functions; and
(ii) engaging in the conduct is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of the individual assisting the public official in relation to the performance of the public official’s duties or functions; or
(f) the person genuinely engages in the conduct for the purpose of opposing the ideology or purposes of a terrorist organisation (within the meaning of Division 102).
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Functions
(11) The references in this section to function or functions do not, by implication, affect the meaning of the expressions duty or duties when used in any other provision of this Code.
80.2J Trading in prohibited Nazi symbols
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person trades in goods; and
(b) the goods depict or contain a prohibited Nazi symbol; and
(c) the person knows that, or is reckless as to whether, the prohibited Nazi symbol is associated with Nazi ideology; and
(d) subsection (3) applies; and
(e) subsections (4) and (5) do not apply.
Note: For defences, see subsections (6) to (8).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.
(2) Absolute liability applies to paragraphs (1)(d) and (e).
Jurisdictional requirements
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(d), this subsection applies if:
(a) the trading occurs to any extent outside Australia; or
(b) the trading involves transportation across State borders, either for reward or in connection with a commercial arrangement; or
(c) the trading occurs within a Territory or involves transportation to or from a Territory; or
(d) the trading is engaged in by, or on behalf of, a constitutional corporation; or
(e) some of the trading is engaged in by communication using a postal, telegraphic, telephonic or other like service within the meaning of paragraph 51(v) of the Constitution; or
(f) the trading:
(i) occurs to any extent at a Commonwealth place; or
(ii) involves transportation to or from a Commonwealth place; or
(g) the person is an alien; or
(h) the trading involves the person:
(i) selling the goods to an alien; or
(ii) preparing the goods for supply with the intention of selling them to an alien or believing that another person intends to sell them to an alien or believing that an alien intends to sell them; or
(iii) transporting the goods with the intention of selling them to an alien or believing that another person intends to sell them to an alien or believing that an alien intends to sell them; or
(iv) guarding or concealing the goods with the intention of selling them to an alien or with the intention of assisting another person to sell them to an alien or with the intention of assisting an alien to sell them; or
(v) possessing the goods with the intention of selling them to an alien.
Other matters
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(e), this subsection applies if a reasonable person would consider that:
(a) the goods that are traded are intended to serve a religious, academic, educational, artistic, literary or scientific purpose; and
(b) the person’s trading in the goods is not contrary to the public interest.
(5) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(e), this subsection applies if:
(a) the goods that are traded contain one or more news reports or current affairs reports; and
(b) each prohibited Nazi symbol that the goods depict or contain appears in such a report and only appears in such a report; and
(c) in relation to each such report in which a prohibited Nazi symbol appears—a reasonable person would consider that:
(i) the report was made by a person working in a professional journalistic capacity; and
(ii) disseminating the report is in the public interest.
Defences
(6) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person’s trading in goods if:
(a) the goods that are traded contain commentary on public affairs; and
(b) each prohibited Nazi symbol that the goods depict or contain appears in the commentary and only appears in the commentary; and
(c) in relation to commentary in which a prohibited Nazi symbol appears—making the commentary is in the public interest.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
(7) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person’s trading in goods if the trading is necessary for or of assistance in:
(a) enforcing a law of the Commonwealth, a State or Territory, or a foreign country; or
(b) monitoring compliance with, or investigating a contravention of, a law of the Commonwealth, a State or Territory, or a foreign country; or
(c) the administration of justice (whether within or outside Australia).
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
(8) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person’s trading in goods if:
(a) both:
(i) the trading is in connection with the performance by a public official of the official’s duties or functions; and
(ii) the trading is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of the public official performing that duty or function; or
(b) both:
(i) the trading is in connection with an individual assisting a public official in relation to the performance of the public official’s duties or functions; and
(ii) the trading is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of the individual assisting the public official in relation to the performance of the public official’s duties or functions.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Interpretation
(9) The references in this section to function or functions do not, by implication, affect the meaning of the expressions duty or duties when used in any other provision of this Code.
(10) In this section, Commonwealth place has the same meaning as in the Commonwealth Places (Application of Laws) Act 1970.
80.2JA Trading in prohibited terrorist organisation symbols
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person trades in goods; and
(b) the goods depict or contain a symbol; and
(c) the person knows that the symbol is a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol; and
(d) subsection (3) applies; and
(e) subsections (4) and (5) do not apply.
Note: For defences, see subsections (6) to (8).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.
(2) Absolute liability applies to paragraphs (1)(d) and (e).
Jurisdictional requirements
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(d), this subsection applies if:
(a) the trading occurs to any extent outside Australia; or
(b) the trading involves transportation across State borders, either for reward or in connection with a commercial arrangement; or
(c) the trading occurs within a Territory or involves transportation to or from a Territory; or
(d) the trading is engaged in by, or on behalf of, a constitutional corporation; or
(e) some of the trading is engaged in by communication using a postal, telegraphic, telephonic or other like service within the meaning of paragraph 51(v) of the Constitution; or
(f) the trading:
(i) occurs to any extent at a Commonwealth place; or
(ii) involves transportation to or from a Commonwealth place; or
(g) the person is an alien; or
(h) the trading involves the person:
(i) selling the goods to an alien; or
(ii) preparing the goods for supply with the intention of selling them to an alien or believing that another person intends to sell them to an alien or believing that an alien intends to sell them; or
(iii) transporting the goods with the intention of selling them to an alien or believing that another person intends to sell them to an alien or believing that an alien intends to sell them; or
(iv) guarding or concealing the goods with the intention of selling them to an alien or with the intention of assisting another person to sell them to an alien or with the intention of assisting an alien to sell them; or
(v) possessing the goods with the intention of selling them to an alien.
Other matters
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(e), this subsection applies if a reasonable person would consider that:
(a) the goods that are traded are intended to serve a religious, academic, educational, artistic, literary or scientific purpose; and
(b) the person’s trading in the goods is not contrary to the public interest.
(5) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(e), this subsection applies if:
(a) the goods that are traded contain one or more news reports or current affairs reports; and
(b) each prohibited terrorist organisation symbol that the goods depict or contain appears in such a report and only appears in such a report; and
(c) in relation to each such report in which a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol appears—a reasonable person would consider that:
(i) the report was made by a person working in a professional journalistic capacity; and
(ii) disseminating the report is in the public interest.
Defences
(6) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person’s trading in goods if:
(a) the goods that are traded contain commentary on public affairs; and
(b) each prohibited terrorist organisation symbol that the goods depict or contain appears in the commentary and only appears in the commentary; and
(c) in relation to commentary in which a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol appears—making the commentary is in the public interest.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
(7) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person’s trading in goods if the trading is necessary for or of assistance in:
(a) enforcing a law of the Commonwealth, a State or Territory, or a foreign country; or
(b) monitoring compliance with, or investigating a contravention of, a law of the Commonwealth, a State or Territory, or a foreign country; or
(c) the administration of justice (whether within or outside Australia).
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
(8) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person’s trading in goods if:
(a) both:
(i) the trading is in connection with the performance by a public official of the official’s duties or functions; and
(ii) the trading is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of the public official performing that duty or function; or
(b) both:
(i) the trading is in connection with an individual assisting a public official in relation to the performance of the public official’s duties or functions; and
(ii) the trading is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of the individual assisting the public official in relation to the performance of the public official’s duties or functions.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Interpretation
(9) The references in this section to function or functions do not, by implication, affect the meaning of the expressions duty or duties when used in any other provision of this Code.
(10) In this section, Commonwealth place has the same meaning as in the Commonwealth Places (Application of Laws) Act 1970.
80.2K Directions to cease display of prohibited symbols in public
Directions
(1) A police officer may, in accordance with section 80.2L, direct a person to cause a prohibited symbol to cease to be displayed in a public place if:
(a) the prohibited symbol is displayed in a public place as mentioned in subsection 80.2F(1) (other than by being made available on the internet); and
(b) subsection (2), (3) or (6) of this section applies.
Circumstances in which direction may be given
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), this subsection applies if the police officer reasonably suspects that the display in a public place mentioned in paragraph (1)(a):
(a) involves dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or racial hatred; or
(b) could incite another person or a group of persons to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate:
(i) a person (the targeted person) because of the race of the targeted person; or
(ii) the members of a group of persons (the targeted group) because of the race of some or all of the members of the targeted group.
Note: The object of this subsection is to give further effect to Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, done at New York on 21 December 1965. The Convention is in Australian Treaty Series 1975 No. 40 ([1975] ATS 40) and could in 2023 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), this subsection applies if the police officer reasonably suspects that the display in a public place mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) involves advocacy that:
(a) is advocacy of hatred of:
(i) a group of persons distinguished by race, religion or nationality (a targeted group); or
(ii) a member of a targeted group; and
(b) constitutes incitement of another person or group of persons to offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate or use force or violence against:
(i) the targeted group; or
(ii) a member of the targeted group.
Note: The object of this subsection is to give further effect to article 20 of the Covenant.
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(a), it does not matter whether the conduct actually results in the hatred mentioned in that paragraph.
(5) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), it does not matter whether the conduct actually incites another person as mentioned in that paragraph.
(6) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), this subsection applies if the police officer reasonably suspects that the display in a public place mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) is likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate a person who is:
(a) a reasonable person; and
(b) a member of a group of persons distinguished by race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion or national or social origin;
because of the reasonable person’s membership of that group.
Note: The object of this subsection is to give further effect to article 26 of the Covenant.
(7) For the purposes of subsection (6), it does not matter whether a member of the group sees the prohibited symbol while it is displayed in a public place.
Time by which direction must be complied with
(8) A direction given under subsection (1) must specify the time by which the prohibited symbol must cease to be displayed in a public place. The time must be reasonable.
Definitions
(9) In this section:
police officer means:
(a) a member of the Australian Federal Police (within the meaning of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979); or
(b) a special member of the Australian Federal Police (within the meaning of that Act); or
(c) a member (however described) of a police force of a State or Territory.
(1) A police officer may give a direction to cause a prohibited symbol to cease to be displayed in a public place under subsection 80.2K(1) only in accordance with subsection (2), (3) or (4) of this section.
(2) The direction may be given to a person, either orally or in writing, if the police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that:
(a) one or more of the following is satisfied:
(i) the person caused the prohibited symbol to be displayed in a public place;
(ii) the person is an owner or an occupier of land or premises on, at or from which the prohibited symbol is displayed in a public place;
(iii) the person is an owner or an occupant of an aircraft, vehicle or vessel on or from which the prohibited symbol is displayed in a public place; and
(b) there are steps the person can take to cause the prohibited symbol to cease to be displayed in a public place.
(3) The direction may also be given in writing by being left on or at land or premises on, at or from which the prohibited symbol is displayed in a public place. In this case, the direction is taken to have been given to each person who is an owner or occupier of the land or premises at the time the direction is given.
(4) The direction may also be given in writing by being affixed or placed in a conspicuous manner on an aircraft, vehicle or vessel on or from which the prohibited symbol is displayed in a public place. In this case, the direction is taken to have been given to each person who is an owner of the aircraft, vehicle or vessel at the time the direction is given.
80.2M Directions to cease display of prohibited symbols in public—offence
Offence
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person is given a direction under subsection 80.2K(1); and
(b) the prohibited symbol specified in the direction does not cease to be displayed in a public place before the time specified in the direction under subsection 80.2K(8).
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) Strict liability applies to paragraph (1)(b).
Defences
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply if:
(a) the conduct that caused the prohibited symbol to be displayed in a public place was genuinely engaged in for a purpose that is:
(i) a religious, academic, educational, artistic, literary or scientific purpose; and
(ii) not contrary to the public interest; or
(b) the conduct that caused the prohibited symbol to be displayed in a public place was engaged in for the purposes of making a news report, or a current affairs report, that is:
(i) in the public interest; and
(ii) made by a person working in a professional journalistic capacity; or
(c) if the prohibited symbol is a prohibited Nazi symbol—any of paragraphs 80.2H(10)(a) to (f) applied to the person engaging in the conduct that caused the prohibited symbol to be displayed in a public place; or
(d) if the prohibited symbol is a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol—any of paragraphs 80.2HA(10)(a) to (f) applied to the person engaging in the conduct that caused the prohibited symbol to be displayed in a public place.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
(4) For the purposes of paragraphs (3)(a), (b) and (c), it does not matter whether the conduct referred to in those paragraphs was conduct of the person who is given the direction as mentioned in paragraph (1)(a).
(5) Subsection (1) does not apply if:
(a) both:
(i) the person (the recipient) who is given the direction did not cause the prohibited symbol to be displayed in a public place; and
(ii) when the direction is given, the recipient is not an owner or an occupier of land or premises on, at or from which the prohibited symbol is displayed in a public place, or an owner of an aircraft, vehicle or vessel on or from which the prohibited symbol is displayed in a public place; or
(b) either the person (the recipient) who is given the direction takes all reasonable steps to cause the prohibited symbol to cease to be displayed in a public place, or there are no such steps that the recipient can take.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Subdivision D—Common provisions
80.3 Defence for acts done in good faith
(1) Subdivisions B and C, and sections 83.1 and 83.4, do not apply to a person who:
(a) tries in good faith to show that any of the following persons are mistaken in any of his or her counsels, policies or actions:
(i) the Sovereign;
(ii) the Governor‑General;
(iii) the Governor of a State;
(iv) the Administrator of a Territory;
(v) an adviser of any of the above;
(vi) a person responsible for the government of another country; or
(b) points out in good faith errors or defects in the following, with a view to reforming those errors or defects:
(i) the Government of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory;
(ii) the Constitution;
(iii) legislation of the Commonwealth, a State, a Territory or another country;
(iv) the administration of justice of or in the Commonwealth, a State, a Territory or another country; or
(c) urges in good faith another person to attempt to lawfully procure a change to any matter established by law, policy or practice in the Commonwealth, a State, a Territory or another country; or
(d) points out in good faith any matters that are producing, or have a tendency to produce, feelings of ill‑will or hostility between different groups, in order to bring about the removal of those matters; or
(e) does anything in good faith in connection with an industrial dispute or an industrial matter; or
(f) publishes in good faith a report or commentary about a matter of public interest.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1). See subsection 13.3(3).
(2) In considering a defence under subsection (1), the Court may have regard to any relevant matter, including whether the acts were done:
(a) for a purpose intended to be prejudicial to the safety or defence of the Commonwealth; or
(b) with the intention of assisting a party:
(i) engaged in armed conflict involving the Commonwealth or the Australian Defence Force; and
(ii) declared in a Proclamation made under section 80.1AB to be an enemy engaged in armed conflict involving the Commonwealth or the Australian Defence Force; or
(f) with the intention of causing violence or creating public disorder or a public disturbance.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), in considering a defence under subsection (1) in respect of an offence against Subdivision C, the Court may have regard to any relevant matter, including whether the acts were done:
(a) in the development, performance, exhibition or distribution of an artistic work; or
(b) in the course of any statement, publication, discussion or debate made or held for any genuine academic, artistic or scientific purpose or any other genuine purpose in the public interest; or
(c) in the dissemination of news or current affairs.
80.4 Extended geographical jurisdiction for offences
(1) Subject to subsection (2), section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against this Division.
(2) Section 15.2 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category B) applies to an offence against:
(a) section 80.1AC; or
(b) subsection 80.2A(2); or
(c) subsection 80.2B(2); or
(d) subsection 80.2C(1); or
(e) subsection 80.2H(1); or
(ea) subsection 80.2HA(1); or
(f) subsection 80.2J(1); or
(fa) subsection 80.2JA(1); or
(g) subsection 80.2M(1).
80.6 Division not intended to exclude State or Territory law
It is the intention of the Parliament that this Division is not to apply to the exclusion of a law of a State or a Territory to the extent that the law is capable of operating concurrently with this Division.
In this Division:
advantage: conduct will not advantage the national security of a foreign country if the conduct will advantage Australia’s national security to an equivalent extent.
damage to public infrastructure: conduct results in damage to public infrastructure if any of the following paragraphs apply in relation to public infrastructure:
(a) the conduct destroys it or results in its destruction;
(b) the conduct involves interfering with it, or abandoning it, resulting in it being lost or rendered unserviceable;
(c) the conduct results in it suffering a loss of function or becoming unsafe or unfit for its purpose;
(d) the conduct limits or prevents access to it or any part of it by persons who are ordinarily entitled to access it or that part of it;
(e) the conduct results in it or any part of it becoming defective or being contaminated;
(f) the conduct significantly degrades its quality;
(g) if it is an electronic system—the conduct seriously disrupts it.
foreign principal has the meaning given by section 90.2.
national security has the meaning given by section 90.4.
prejudice: embarrassment alone is not sufficient to prejudice Australia’s national security.
public infrastructure: see section 82.2.
Public infrastructure
(1) Public infrastructure means any of the following:
(a) any infrastructure, facility, premises, network or electronic system that belongs to the Commonwealth;
(b) defence premises within the meaning of Part VIA of the Defence Act 1903;
(c) service property, and service land, within the meaning of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982;
(d) any part of the infrastructure of a telecommunications network within the meaning of the Telecommunications Act 1997;
(e) any infrastructure, facility, premises, network or electronic system (including an information, telecommunications or financial system) that:
(i) provides or relates to providing the public with utilities or services (including transport of people or goods) of any kind, or relates to food (within the meaning of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991) intended for the public; and
(ii) is located in Australia; and
(iii) belongs to or is operated by a constitutional corporation or is used to facilitate constitutional trade and commerce;
(f) food (within the meaning of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991) that:
(i) is intended for the public; and
(ii) is produced, distributed or sold by a constitutional corporation or for the purposes of, or in the course of, constitutional trade and commerce.
(2) For the purposes of the application of paragraph (1)(a) or (e) in relation to property within the meaning of Chapter 7, whether the property belongs to the Commonwealth or a constitutional corporation is to be determined in the same way as it would be under Chapter 7 (see section 130.2).
Fault element for offences in relation to public infrastructure
(3) For the purposes of a reference, in an element of an offence, to public infrastructure within the meaning of this Division, absolute liability applies:
(a) in relation to public infrastructure within the meaning of paragraph (1)(a)—to the element that the infrastructure, facility, premises, network or electronic system belongs to the Commonwealth; and
(b) in relation to public infrastructure within the meaning of paragraph (1)(e)—to the element that the infrastructure, facility, premises, network or electronic system belongs to or is operated by a constitutional corporation or is used to facilitate constitutional trade or commerce; and
(c) in relation to public infrastructure within the meaning of paragraph (1)(f)—to the element that the food is produced, distributed or sold by a constitutional corporation or for the purposes of, or in the course of, constitutional trade and commerce.
82.2A Expressions also used in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979
The meaning of an expression in this Division does not affect the meaning of that expression in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979, unless that Act expressly provides otherwise.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct results in damage to public infrastructure; and
(c) the person intends that the conduct will:
(i) prejudice Australia’s national security; or
(ii) advantage the national security of a foreign country; and
(d) any of the following circumstances exists:
(i) the conduct is engaged in on behalf of, or in collaboration with, a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal;
(ii) the conduct is directed, funded or supervised by a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 25 years.
(2) For the purposes of subparagraph (1)(c)(ii), the person:
(a) does not need to have in mind a particular foreign country; and
(b) may have in mind more than one foreign country.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(d), the person:
(a) does not need to have in mind a particular foreign principal; and
(b) may have in mind more than one foreign principal.
Note: An alternative verdict may be available for an offence against this section (see section 82.12).
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct results in damage to public infrastructure; and
(c) the person is reckless as to whether the conduct will:
(i) prejudice Australia’s national security; or
(ii) advantage the national security of a foreign country; and
(d) any of the following circumstances exists:
(i) the conduct is engaged in on behalf of, or in collaboration with, a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal;
(ii) the conduct is directed, funded or supervised by a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years.
(2) For the purposes of subparagraph (1)(c)(ii), the person:
(a) does not need to have in mind a particular foreign country; and
(b) may have in mind more than one foreign country.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(d), the person:
(a) does not need to have in mind a particular foreign principal; and
(b) may have in mind more than one foreign principal.
Note: An alternative verdict may be available for an offence against this section (see section 82.12).
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct results in damage to public infrastructure; and
(c) the person intends that the conduct will:
(i) prejudice Australia’s national security; or
(ii) advantage the national security of a foreign country.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years.
(2) For the purposes of subparagraph (1)(c)(ii), the person:
(a) does not need to have in mind a particular foreign country; and
(b) may have in mind more than one foreign country.
Note: An alternative verdict may be available for an offence against this section (see section 82.12).
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct results in damage to public infrastructure; and
(c) the person is reckless as to whether the conduct will:
(i) prejudice Australia’s national security; or
(ii) advantage the national security of a foreign country.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), the person:
(a) does not need to have in mind a particular foreign country; and
(b) may have in mind more than one foreign country.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct has the result that an article or thing, or software, becomes vulnerable:
(i) to misuse or impairment; or
(ii) to being accessed or modified by a person not entitled to access or modify it; and
(c) the article or thing, or software, is or is part of public infrastructure; and
(d) the person engages in the conduct with the intention that prejudice to Australia’s national security will occur (whether at the time or at a future time).
Note: An alternative verdict may be available for an offence against this section (see section 82.12).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct has the result that an article or thing, or software, becomes vulnerable:
(i) to misuse or impairment; or
(ii) to being accessed or modified by a person not entitled to access or modify it; and
(c) the article or thing, or software, is or is part of public infrastructure; and
(d) the person engages in the conduct reckless as to whether prejudice to Australia’s national security will occur (whether at the time or at a future time).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the person does so with the intention of preparing for, or planning, an offence against this Division (other than this section).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) Section 11.1 (attempt) does not apply to an offence against subsection (1).
(3) Subsection (1) applies:
(a) whether or not an offence against this Division is committed; and
(b) whether or not the person engages in the conduct in preparation for, or planning, a specific offence against a provision of this Division; and
(c) whether or not the person engages in the conduct in preparation for, or planning, more than one offence against this Division.
(1) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence by a person against this Division if:
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a public official; and
(b) the person engaged in the conduct in good faith in the course of performing duties as a public official; and
(c) the conduct is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of performing those duties.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence by a person against this Division if:
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence:
(i) an owner or operator of the public infrastructure; or
(ii) acting on behalf of, or with the consent of, an owner or operator of the public infrastructure; and
(b) the person engaged in the conduct in good faith; and
(c) the conduct is within the lawful authority of the owner or operator; and
(d) the conduct is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of exercising that lawful authority.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against this Division.
(1) If, on a trial of a person for an offence specified in column 1 of an item in the following table, the trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied that the person is guilty of that offence; and
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person is guilty of an offence against a provision specified in column 2 of that item;
it may find the person not guilty of the offence specified in column 1 but guilty of an offence specified in column 2.
Alternative verdicts | ||
Item | Column 1 | Column 2 |
1 | section 82.3 (sabotage involving foreign principal with intention as to national security) | any of the following: (a) section 82.4 (sabotage involving foreign principal reckless as to national security); (b) section 82.5 (sabotage with intention as to national security); (c) section 82.6 (sabotage reckless as to national security) |
2 | section 82.4 (sabotage involving foreign principal reckless as to national security) | section 82.6 (sabotage reckless as to national security) |
3 | section 82.5 (sabotage with intention as to national security) | section 82.6 (sabotage reckless as to national security) |
4 | section 82.7 (introducing vulnerability with intention as to national security) | section 82.8 (introducing vulnerability reckless as to national security) |
(2) Subsection (1) only applies if the person has been accorded procedural fairness in relation to the finding of guilt for the offence specified in column 2.
(1) Proceedings for the commitment of a person for trial for an offence against this Division must not be instituted without the written consent of the Attorney‑General.
(2) However, the following steps may be taken (but no further steps in proceedings may be taken) without consent having been given:
(a) a person may be arrested for the offence and a warrant for such an arrest may be issued and executed;
(b) a person may be charged with the offence;
(c) a person so charged may be remanded in custody or on bail.
(3) Nothing in subsection (2) prevents the discharge of the accused if proceedings are not continued within a reasonable time.
(4) In deciding whether to consent, the Attorney‑General must consider whether the conduct might be authorised by section 82.10.
Division 83—Other threats to security
83.1A Expressions also used in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979
The meaning of an expression in this Division does not affect the meaning of that expression in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979, unless that Act expressly provides otherwise.
(1) A person (the advocate) commits an offence if:
(a) the advocate engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct involves advocating mutiny; and
(c) the advocate engages in the conduct reckless as to whether the result will be that a defence member (within the meaning of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982) will take part in a mutiny; and
(d) at the time the advocate engages in the conduct:
(i) the advocate knows that the advocate is an Australian citizen or a resident of Australia; or
(ii) the advocate knows that the advocate has voluntarily put himself or herself under the protection of the Commonwealth; or
(iii) the advocate is a body corporate incorporated by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.
Note: The defence in section 80.3 for acts done in good faith applies to this offence.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(1A) For the purposes of this section:
(a) a person advocates mutiny if the person counsels, promotes, encourages or urges mutiny; and
(b) a reference to advocating mutiny includes a reference to:
(i) advocating mutiny even if mutiny does not occur; and
(ii) advocating a specific mutiny; and
(iii) advocating more than one mutiny.
(2) A mutiny is a combination between persons who are, or at least 2 of whom are, members of the Australian Defence Force:
(a) to overthrow lawful authority in the Australian Defence Force or in a force of another country that is acting in cooperation with the Australian Defence Force; or
(b) to resist such lawful authority in such a manner as to substantially prejudice the operational efficiency of the Australian Defence Force or of, or of a part of, a force of another country that is acting in cooperation with the Australian Defence Force.
(3) Strict liability applies to subparagraph (1)(d)(iii).
(4) Section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against this section.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct assists one or more prisoners of war (within the meaning of Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention) to escape from custody; and
(c) the custody is controlled wholly or partly by the Commonwealth or the Australian Defence Force; and
(d) the conduct takes place in the context of an international armed conflict.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
(2) Absolute liability applies to paragraph (1)(d).
(3) Section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against this section.
Offence in relation to military‑style training
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person provides, receives, or participates in, training; and
(b) the training involves using arms or practising military exercises, movements or evolutions; and
(c) any of the following circumstances exists:
(i) the training is provided on behalf of a foreign government principal within the meaning of Part 5.2 (see section 90.3) or a foreign political organisation within the meaning of that Part (see section 90.1);
(ii) the training is directed, funded or supervised by a foreign government principal or foreign political organisation, or a person acting on behalf of a foreign government principal or foreign political organisation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years.
Defence—foreign work authorisation under the Defence Act 1903
(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply to an individual in relation to conduct engaged in by the individual as part of work (within the meaning of Part IXAA of the Defence Act 1903) or training (within the meaning of that Part) that is authorised by a foreign work authorisation granted to the individual under section 115C of that Act and that is in force at the time the individual engages in the conduct.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Defence—class of individuals who are not foreign work restricted individuals
(1B) Subsection (1) does not apply to an individual if:
(a) the individual provides training (within the meaning of Part IXAA of the Defence Act 1903); and
(b) the individual is included in a class of individuals covered by an instrument in force under subsection 115(1) of that Act at the time the individual provides the training; and
(c) neither of the following apply:
(i) the training relates to goods, software or technology within the scope of Part 1 of the Defence and Strategic Goods List (within the meaning of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012);
(ii) the training relates to military tactics, military techniques or military procedures; and
(d) the training is provided to, or on behalf of:
(i) a government body (within the meaning of Part IXAA of the Defence Act 1903) of a foreign country; or
(ii) a military organisation (within the meaning of Part IXAA of the Defence Act 1903) of a foreign country; and
(e) the foreign country is a relevant foreign country (within the meaning of Part IXAA of the Defence Act 1903).
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Defences—countries that are not relevant foreign countries
(1C) Subsection (1) does not apply to an individual if:
(a) the individual is a foreign work restricted individual (within the meaning of Part IXAA of the Defence Act 1903); and
(b) the individual provides training (within the meaning of that Part); and
(c) the training is provided to, or on behalf of:
(i) a government body (within the meaning of that Part) of a foreign country; or
(ii) a military organisation (within the meaning of that Part) of a foreign country; and
(d) the foreign country is covered by an instrument in force under subsection 115(3) of that Act at the time the individual provides the training.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
(1D) Subsection (1) does not apply to an individual if:
(a) the individual is not a foreign work restricted individual (within the meaning of Part IXAA of the Defence Act 1903); and
(b) the individual is:
(i) an Australian citizen; or
(ii) a permanent resident of Australia (within the meaning of that Part); and
(c) the individual provides training (within the meaning of that Part); and
(d) either:
(i) the training relates to goods, software or technology within the scope of Part 1 of the Defence and Strategic Goods List (within the meaning of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012); or
(ii) the training relates to military tactics, military techniques or military procedures; and
(e) the training is provided to, or on behalf of:
(i) a government body (within the meaning of Part IXAA of the Defence Act 1903) of a foreign country; or
(ii) a military organisation (within the meaning of Part IXAA of the Defence Act 1903) of a foreign country; and
(f) the foreign country is covered by an instrument in force under subsection 115(3) of the Defence Act 1903 at the time the individual provides the training.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Defence—authorised by written agreement
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person in relation to conduct engaged in by the person that is authorised by a written agreement to which the Commonwealth is a party.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Defence—solely for service with armed force
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to training a person provides, receives or participates in, if the provision, receipt or participation is solely in the course of, and as part of, the person’s service in any capacity in or with:
(a) the armed forces of the government of a foreign country; or
(b) any other armed force, if a declaration under subsection 119.8(1) covers the person and the circumstances of the person’s service in or with the force.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Exception to subsection (1B) or (3)—terrorist organisation
(4) Subsection (1B) or (3) does not apply if:
(a) at the time the person engages in the conduct:
(i) the person is in or with an organisation; or
(ii) the training is funded partly by an organisation; and
(b) the organisation is:
(i) a listed terrorist organisation within the meaning of Part 5.3 (see section 100.1); or
(ii) a prescribed organisation within the meaning of Part 5.5 (see section 117.1).
Defence—humanitarian assistance etc.
(4A) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person in relation to conduct engaged in by the person solely or primarily for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) providing aid of a humanitarian nature;
(b) performing an official duty for:
(i) the United Nations or an agency of the United Nations; or
(ii) the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Geographical jurisdiction
(5) Section 15.2 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category B) applies to an offence against this section.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct involves the use of force or violence, or intimidation, or the making of threats of any kind; and
(c) the conduct results in interference with the exercise or performance, in Australia by any other person, of an Australian democratic or political right or duty; and
(d) the right or duty arises under the Constitution or a law of the Commonwealth.
Note: The defence in section 80.3 for acts done in good faith applies to this offence.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) Absolute liability applies to paragraph (1)(d).
(1) Proceedings for the commitment of a person for trial for an offence against this Division must not be instituted without the written consent of the Attorney‑General.
(2) However, the following steps may be taken (but no further steps in proceedings may be taken) without consent having been given:
(a) a person may be arrested for the offence and a warrant for such an arrest may be issued and executed;
(b) a person may be charged with the offence;
(c) a person so charged may be remanded in custody or on bail.
(3) Nothing in subsection (2) prevents the discharge of the accused if proceedings are not continued within a reasonable time.
(4) In deciding whether to consent, the Attorney‑General must consider whether the conduct might be authorised in a way mentioned in:
(a) for an offence against section 83.3—subsection 83.3(1A), (1B), (1C), (1D), (2), (3) or (4A); and
(b) for an offence against section 83.1 or 83.4—section 80.3.
Part 5.2—Espionage and related offences
(1) In this Part:
advantage: conduct will not advantage the national security of a foreign country if the conduct will advantage Australia’s national security to an equivalent extent.
article includes any thing, substance or material.
concerns: information or an article concerns Australia’s national security if the information or article relates to, or is connected with, or is of interest or importance to, or affects, Australia’s national security.
deal: a person deals with information or an article if the person does any of the following in relation to the information or article:
(a) receives or obtains it;
(b) collects it;
(c) possesses it;
(d) makes a record of it;
(e) copies it;
(f) alters it;
(g) conceals it;
(h) communicates it;
(i) publishes it;
(j) makes it available.
Note: See also the definition of make available in this subsection and subsection (2).
foreign government principal has the meaning given by section 90.3.
foreign political organisation includes:
(a) a foreign political party; and
(b) a foreign organisation that exists primarily to pursue political objectives; and
(c) a foreign organisation that exists to pursue militant, extremist or revolutionary objectives.
foreign principal has the meaning given by section 90.2.
information means information of any kind, whether true or false and whether in a material form or not, and includes:
(a) an opinion; and
(b) a report of a conversation.
make available information or an article includes:
(a) place it somewhere it can be accessed by another person; and
(b) give it to an intermediary to give to the intended recipient; and
(c) describe how to obtain access to it, or describe methods that are likely to facilitate access to it (for example, set out the name of a website, an IP address, a URL, a password, or the name of a newsgroup).
national security has the meaning given by section 90.4.
prejudice: embarrassment alone is not sufficient to prejudice Australia’s national security.
record, in relation to information, means a record of information in any form, including but not limited to, a document, paper, database, software system or other article or system containing information or from which information can be derived.
security classification has the meaning given by section 90.5.
sketch includes a representation of a place or thing.
(2) In this Part, dealing with information or an article includes:
(a) dealing with all or part of the information or article; and
(b) dealing only with the substance, effect or description of the information or article.
(4) This Part applies to and in relation to a document or article regardless of who made it and what information it contains.
Each of the following is a foreign principal:
(a) a foreign government principal;
(aa) a foreign political organisation;
(b) a public international organisation within the meaning of Division 70 (see section 70.1);
(c) a terrorist organisation within the meaning of Division 102 (see section 102.1);
(d) an entity or organisation owned, directed or controlled by a foreign principal within the meaning of paragraph (aa), (b) or (c);
(e) an entity or organisation owned, directed or controlled by 2 or more foreign principals within the meaning of paragraph (a), (aa), (b) or (c).
Each of the following is a foreign government principal:
(a) the government of a foreign country or of part of a foreign country;
(b) an authority of the government of a foreign country;
(c) an authority of the government of part of a foreign country;
(d) a foreign local government body or foreign regional government body;
(e) a company to which any of the subparagraphs of paragraph (a) of the definition of foreign public enterprise in section 70.1 applies;
(f) a body or association to which either of the subparagraphs of paragraph (b) of the definition of foreign public enterprise in section 70.1 applies;
(h) an entity or organisation owned, directed or controlled:
(i) by a foreign government principal within the meaning of any other paragraph of this definition; or
(ii) by 2 or more such foreign government principals that are foreign government principals in relation to the same foreign country.
(1) The national security of Australia or a foreign country means any of the following:
(a) the defence of the country;
(b) the protection of the country or any part of it, or the people of the country or any part of it, from activities covered by subsection (2);
(c) the protection of the integrity of the country’s territory and borders from serious threats;
(d) the carrying out of the country’s responsibilities to any other country in relation to the matter mentioned in paragraph (c) or an activity covered by subsection (2);
(e) the country’s political, military or economic relations with another country or other countries.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), this subsection covers the following activities relating to a country, whether or not directed from, or committed within, the country:
(a) espionage;
(b) sabotage;
(c) terrorism;
(d) political violence;
(e) activities intended and likely to obstruct, hinder or interfere with the performance by the country’s defence force of its functions or with the carrying out of other activities by or for the country for the purposes of its defence or safety;
(f) foreign interference.
(1) Security classification means:
(a) a classification of secret or top secret that is applied in accordance with the policy framework developed by the Commonwealth for the purpose (or for purposes that include the purpose) of identifying information:
(i) for a classification of secret—that, if disclosed in an unauthorised manner, could be expected to cause serious damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals; or
(ii) for a classification of top secret—that, if disclosed in an unauthorised manner, could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national interest; or
(b) any equivalent classification or marking prescribed by the regulations.
(1A) For the purposes of a reference, in an element of an offence in this Part, to security classification, strict liability applies to the element that:
(a) a classification is applied in accordance with the policy framework developed by the Commonwealth for the purpose (or for purposes that include the purpose) of identifying the information mentioned in subparagraph (1)(a)(i) or (ii); or
(b) a classification or marking is prescribed by the regulations as mentioned in paragraph (1)(b).
(2) Before the Governor‑General makes regulations for the purposes of subsection (1), the Minister must be satisfied that the regulations are not inconsistent with the policy framework mentioned in paragraph (1)(a).
(3) Despite subsection 14(2) of the Legislation Act 2003, regulations made for the purposes of subsection (1) of this section may prescribe a matter by applying, adopting or incorporating any matter contained in an instrument or other writing as in force or existing from time to time, if the instrument or other writing is publicly available.
90.6 Expressions also used in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979
The meaning of an expression in this Part does not affect the meaning of that expression in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979, unless that Act expressly provides otherwise.
Intention as to national security
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person deals with information or an article; and
(b) the information or article:
(i) has a security classification; or
(ii) concerns Australia’s national security; and
(c) the person intends that the person’s conduct will:
(i) prejudice Australia’s national security; or
(ii) advantage the national security of a foreign country; and
(d) the conduct results or will result in the information or article being communicated or made available to a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal.
Note: An alternative verdict may be available for an offence against this subsection (see section 93.5).
Penalty: Imprisonment for life.
Reckless as to national security
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person deals with information or an article; and
(b) the information or article:
(i) has a security classification; or
(ii) concerns Australia’s national security; and
(c) the person is reckless as to whether the person’s conduct will:
(i) prejudice Australia’s national security; or
(ii) advantage the national security of a foreign country; and
(d) the conduct results or will result in the information or article being communicated or made available to a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 25 years.
Other matters
(4) For the purposes of subparagraphs (1)(c)(ii) and (2)(c)(ii), the person:
(a) does not need to have in mind a particular foreign country; and
(b) may have in mind more than one foreign country.
(5) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(d) and (2)(d), the person:
(a) does not need to have in mind a particular foreign principal; and
(b) may have in mind more than one foreign principal.
Intention as to national security
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person deals with information or an article; and
(b) the person intends that the person’s conduct will prejudice Australia’s national security; and
(c) the conduct results or will result in the information or article being communicated or made available to a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal.
Note: An alternative verdict may be available for an offence against this subsection (see section 93.5).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 25 years.
Reckless as to national security
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person deals with information or an article; and
(b) the person is reckless as to whether the person’s conduct will prejudice Australia’s national security; and
(c) the conduct results or will result in the information or article being communicated or made available to a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years.
Other matters
(3) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(c) and (2)(c):
(a) the person does not need to have in mind a particular foreign principal; and
(b) the person may have in mind more than one foreign principal.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person deals with information or an article; and
(aa) the person deals with the information or article for the primary purpose of communicating the information or article, or making it available, to a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal; and
(b) the person’s conduct results or will result in the information or article being communicated or made available to a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal; and
(c) the information or article has a security classification.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years.
(2) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(aa) and (b):
(a) the person does not need to have in mind a particular foreign principal; and
(b) the person may have in mind more than one foreign principal.
(3) Strict liability applies to paragraph (1)(aa).
(1) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence by a person against this Subdivision that the person dealt with the information or article:
(a) in accordance with a law of the Commonwealth; or
(b) in accordance with an arrangement or agreement to which the Commonwealth is party and which allows for the exchange of information or articles; or
(c) in the person’s capacity as a public official.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence by a person against this Subdivision that the information or article the person deals with is information or an article that has already been communicated or made available to the public with the authority of the Commonwealth.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence by a person against section 91.1, in which the prosecution relies on subparagraph 91.1(1)(c)(ii) or (2)(c)(ii), or against section 91.3, if:
(a) the person did not make or obtain the information or article by reason of any of the following:
(i) the person being, or having been, a Commonwealth officer (within the meaning of Part 5.6);
(ii) the person being otherwise engaged to perform work for a Commonwealth entity;
(iii) an arrangement or agreement to which the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth entity is party and which allows for the exchange of information; and
(b) the information or article has already been communicated, or made available, to the public (the prior publication); and
(c) the person was not involved in the prior publication (whether directly or indirectly); and
(d) at the time the person deals with the information or article, the person believes that doing so will not prejudice Australia’s national security; and
(e) having regard to the nature, extent and place of the prior publication, the person has reasonable grounds for that belief.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
(1) In determining the sentence to be passed in respect of a person for an offence against subsection 91.1(1) (punishable by life imprisonment), the court must take into account any circumstances set out in paragraph 91.6(1)(b) that exist in relation to the commission of the offence.
(2) However, the court need only take the circumstances into account so far as the circumstances are known to the court and relevant.
(3) The circumstances are in addition to any other matters the court must take into account (for example, the matters mentioned in section 16A of the Crimes Act 1914).
(1) A person commits an offence against this section if:
(a) the person commits an offence against section 91.1 (other than subsection 91.1(1)), 91.2 or 91.3 (the underlying offence); and
(b) any of the following circumstances exist in relation to the commission of the underlying offence:
(ii) the person dealt with information or an article from a foreign intelligence agency;
(iii) the person dealt with 5 or more records or articles each of which has a security classification;
(iv) the person altered a record or article to remove or conceal its security classification;
(v) at the time the person dealt with the information or article, the person held an Australian Government security clearance allowing access to information that has, or articles that have, a security classification of at least secret.
Penalty:
(a) if the penalty for the underlying offence is imprisonment for 25 years—imprisonment for life; or
(b) if the penalty for the underlying offence is imprisonment for 20 years—imprisonment for 25 years.
(2) There is no fault element for the physical element in paragraph (1)(a) other than the fault elements (however described), if any, for the underlying offence.
(4) To avoid doubt, a person does not commit an underlying offence for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a) if the person has a defence to the underlying offence.
(5) To avoid doubt, the person may be convicted of an offence against this section even if the person has not been convicted of the underlying offence.
Note: An alternative verdict may be available for an offence against this section (see section 93.5).
Section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against this Subdivision.
Subdivision B—Espionage on behalf of foreign principal
Intention as to national security
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person deals with information or an article; and
(b) the person intends that the person’s conduct will:
(i) prejudice Australia’s national security; or
(ii) advantage the national security of a foreign country; and
(c) the person is reckless as to whether the conduct involves the commission, by the person or any other person, of an offence against Subdivision A (espionage); and
(d) any of the following circumstances exists:
(i) the conduct is engaged in on behalf of, or in collaboration with, a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal;
(ii) the conduct is directed, funded or supervised by a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal.
Note: An alternative verdict may be available for an offence against this subsection (see section 93.5).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 25 years.
Reckless as to national security
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person deals with information or an article; and
(b) the person is reckless as to whether the person’s conduct will:
(i) prejudice Australia’s national security; or
(ii) advantage the national security of a foreign country; and
(c) the person is reckless as to whether the conduct involves the commission, by the person or any other person, of an offence against Subdivision A (espionage); and
(d) any of the following circumstances exists:
(i) the conduct is engaged in on behalf of, or in collaboration with, a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal;
(ii) the conduct is directed, funded or supervised by a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years.
Conduct on behalf of foreign principal
(3) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person deals with information or an article; and
(b) the person is reckless as to whether the person’s conduct involves the commission, by the person or any other person, of an offence against Subdivision A (espionage); and
(c) any of the following circumstances exists:
(i) the conduct is engaged in on behalf of, or in collaboration with, a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal;
(ii) the conduct is directed, funded or supervised by a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
Other matters
(4) For the purposes of subparagraphs (1)(b)(ii) and (2)(b)(ii), the person:
(a) does not need to have in mind a particular foreign country; and
(b) may have in mind more than one foreign country.
(5) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(d), (2)(d) and (3)(c), the person:
(a) does not need to have in mind a particular foreign principal; and
(b) may have in mind more than one foreign principal.
(1) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence by a person against this Subdivision that the person dealt with the information or article:
(a) in accordance with a law of the Commonwealth; or
(b) in accordance with an arrangement or agreement to which the Commonwealth is party and which allows for the exchange of information or articles; or
(c) in the person’s capacity as a public official.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence by a person against this Subdivision that the information or article the person deals with is information or an article that has already been communicated or made available to the public with the authority of the Commonwealth.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection (see subsection 13.3(3)).
91.10 Geographical jurisdiction
Section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against this Subdivision.
Subdivision C—Espionage‑related offences
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct in relation to another person (the target); and
(b) the person engages in the conduct with the intention of soliciting or procuring, or making it easier to solicit or procure, the target to deal with information or an article in a way that would constitute an offence against Subdivision A (espionage) or B (espionage on behalf of foreign principal); and
(c) any of the following circumstances exists:
(i) the conduct is engaged in on behalf of, or in collaboration with, a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal;
(ii) the conduct is directed, funded or supervised by a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c):
(a) the person does not need to have in mind a particular foreign principal; and
(b) the person may have in mind more than one foreign principal.
(3) A person may commit an offence against subsection (1):
(a) even if an offence against Subdivision A or B is not committed; and
(b) even if it is impossible for the target to deal with information or an article in a way that would constitute an offence against Subdivision A or B; and
(c) even if the person does not have in mind particular information or a particular article, or a particular dealing or kind of dealing with information or an article, at the time the person engages in conduct in relation to the target; and
(d) whether it is a single dealing, or multiple dealings, that the person intends to solicit or procure or make it easier to solicit or procure.
(4) Section 11.1 (attempt) does not apply to an offence against subsection (1).
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the person does so with the intention of preparing for, or planning, an offence against Subdivision A (espionage) or B (espionage on behalf of foreign principal).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
(2) Section 11.1 (attempt) does not apply to an offence against subsection (1).
(3) Subsection (1) applies:
(a) whether or not an offence against Subdivision A or B is committed; and
(b) whether or not the person engages in the conduct in preparation for, or planning, a specific offence against a provision of Subdivision A or B; and
(c) whether or not the person engages in the conduct in preparation for, or planning, more than one offence against Subdivision A or B.
It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence by a person against this Subdivision that the person dealt with the information or article:
(a) in accordance with a law of the Commonwealth; or
(b) in accordance with an arrangement or agreement to which the Commonwealth is party and which allows for the exchange of information or articles; or
(c) in the person’s capacity as a public official.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this section (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against this Subdivision.
Division 92—Foreign interference
In this Division:
deception means an intentional or reckless deception, whether by words or other conduct, and whether as to fact or as to law, and includes:
(a) a deception as to the intentions of the person using the deception or any other person; and
(b) conduct by a person that causes a computer, a machine or an electronic device to make a response that the person is not authorised to cause it to do.
menaces has the same meaning as in Part 7.5 (see section 138.2).
Subdivision B—Foreign interference
Interference generally
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) any of the following circumstances exists:
(i) the person engages in the conduct on behalf of, or in collaboration with, a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal;
(ii) the conduct is directed, funded or supervised by a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal; and
(c) the person intends that the conduct will:
(i) influence a political or governmental process of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory; or
(ii) influence the exercise (whether or not in Australia) of an Australian democratic or political right or duty; or
(iii) support intelligence activities of a foreign principal; or
(iv) prejudice Australia’s national security; and
(d) any part of the conduct:
(i) is covert or involves deception; or
(ii) involves the person making a threat to cause serious harm, whether to the person to whom the threat is made or any other person; or
(iii) involves the person making a demand with menaces.
Note: An alternative verdict may be available for an offence against this subsection (see section 93.5).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years.
Interference involving targeted person
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) any of the following circumstances exists:
(i) the conduct is engaged in on behalf of, or in collaboration with, a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal;
(ii) the conduct is directed, funded or supervised by a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal; and
(c) the person intends that the conduct will influence another person (the target):
(i) in relation to a political or governmental process of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory; or
(ii) in the target’s exercise (whether or not in Australia) of any Australian democratic or political right or duty; and
(d) the person conceals from, or fails to disclose to, the target the circumstance mentioned in paragraph (b).
Note: An alternative verdict may be available for an offence against this subsection (see section 93.5).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years.
Other matters
(3) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(b) and (2)(b):
(a) the person does not need to have in mind a particular foreign principal; and
(b) the person may have in mind more than one foreign principal.
Interference generally
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) any of the following circumstances exists:
(i) the conduct is engaged in on behalf of, or in collaboration with, a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal;
(ii) the conduct is directed, funded or supervised by a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal; and
(c) the person is reckless as to whether the conduct will:
(i) influence a political or governmental process of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory; or
(ii) influence the exercise (whether or not in Australia) of an Australian democratic or political right or duty; or
(iii) support intelligence activities of a foreign principal; or
(iv) prejudice Australia’s national security; and
(d) any part of the conduct:
(i) is covert or involves deception; or
(ii) involves the person making a threat to cause serious harm, whether to the person to whom the threat is made or any other person; or
(iii) involves the person making a demand with menaces.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
Interference involving targeted person
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) any of the following circumstances exists:
(i) the conduct is engaged in on behalf of, or in collaboration with, a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal;
(ii) the conduct is directed, funded or supervised by a foreign principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign principal; and
(c) the person is reckless as to whether the conduct will influence another person (the target):
(i) in relation to a political or governmental process of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory; or
(ii) in the target’s exercise (whether or not in Australia) of any Australian democratic or political right or duty; and
(d) the person conceals from, or fails to disclose to, the target the circumstance mentioned in paragraph (b).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
Other matters
(3) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(b) and (2)(b):
(a) the person does not need to have in mind a particular foreign principal; and
(b) the person may have in mind more than one foreign principal.
92.4 Offence of preparing for a foreign interference offence
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the person does so with the intention of preparing for, or planning, an offence against another provision of this Subdivision (foreign interference).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) Section 11.1 (attempt) does not apply to an offence against subsection (1).
(3) Subsection (1) applies:
(a) whether or not an offence against this Subdivision is committed; and
(b) whether or not the person engages in the conduct in preparation for, or planning, a specific offence against a provision of this Subdivision; and
(c) whether or not the person engages in the conduct in preparation for, or planning, more than one offence against this Subdivision.
It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence by a person against this Subdivision that the person engaged in the conduct:
(a) in accordance with a law of the Commonwealth; or
(b) in accordance with an arrangement or agreement to which the Commonwealth is party; or
(c) in the person’s capacity as a public official.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this section (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Section 15.2 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category B) applies to an offence against this Subdivision.
Subdivision C—Foreign interference involving foreign intelligence agencies
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person provides resources, or material support, to an organisation or a person acting on behalf of an organisation; and
(b) the person knows that the organisation is a foreign intelligence agency.
Note: An alternative verdict may be available for an offence against this section (see section 93.5).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person provides resources, or material support, to an organisation or a person acting on behalf of an organisation; and
(b) the organisation is a foreign intelligence agency.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) directly or indirectly receives or obtains funds from, or directly or indirectly makes funds available to, an organisation or a person acting on behalf of an organisation; or
(ii) directly or indirectly collects funds for or on behalf of an organisation or a person acting on behalf of an organisation; and
(b) the person knows that the organisation is a foreign intelligence agency.
Note: An alternative verdict may be available for an offence against this section (see section 93.5).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) directly or indirectly receives or obtains funds from, or directly or indirectly makes funds available to, an organisation or a person acting on behalf of an organisation; or
(ii) directly or indirectly collects funds for or on behalf of an organisation or a person acting on behalf of an organisation; and
(b) the organisation is a foreign intelligence agency.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence by a person against this Subdivision that the person engaged in the conduct:
(a) in accordance with a law of the Commonwealth; or
(b) in accordance with an arrangement or agreement to which the Commonwealth is party; or
(c) in the person’s capacity as a public official.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this section (see subsection 13.3(3)).
Division 92A—Theft of trade secrets involving foreign government principal
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person dishonestly receives, obtains, takes, copies or duplicates, sells, buys or discloses information; and
(b) all of the following circumstances exist:
(i) the information is not generally known in trade or business, or in the particular trade or business concerned;
(ii) the information has a commercial value that would be, or could reasonably be expected to be, destroyed or diminished if the information were communicated;
(iii) the owner of the information has made reasonable efforts in the circumstances to prevent the information becoming generally known; and
(c) any of the following circumstances exists:
(i) the conduct is engaged in on behalf of, or in collaboration with, a foreign government principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign government principal;
(ii) the conduct is directed, funded or supervised by a foreign government principal or a person acting on behalf of a foreign government principal.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), dishonest means:
(a) dishonest according to the standards of ordinary people; and
(b) known by the defendant to be dishonest according to the standards of ordinary people.
(3) In a prosecution for an offence against this section, the determination of dishonesty is a matter for the trier of fact.
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c):
(a) the person does not need to have in mind a particular foreign government principal; and
(b) the person may have in mind more than one foreign government principal.
(1) Section 15.2 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category B) applies to an offence against section 92A.1.
(2) However, subsections 15.2(2) and 15.2(4) (defences for primary and ancillary offences) do not apply.
Division 93—Prosecutions and hearings
(1) Proceedings for the commitment of a person for trial for an offence against this Part must not be instituted without:
(a) the written consent of the Attorney‑General; and
(b) for proceedings that relate to information or an article that has a security classification—a certification by the Attorney‑General that, at the time of the conduct that is alleged to constitute the offence, it was appropriate that the information or article had a security classification.
(2) However, the following steps may be taken (but no further steps in proceedings may be taken) without consent or certification having been obtained:
(a) a person may be arrested for the offence and a warrant for such an arrest may be issued and executed;
(b) a person may be charged with the offence;
(c) a person so charged may be remanded in custody or on bail.
(3) Nothing in subsection (2) prevents the discharge of the accused if proceedings are not continued within a reasonable time.