Protection of Australian Flags (Desecration of the Flag) Bill 2003
First Reading

Protection of Australian Flags (Desecration of the Flag) Bill 2003
First Reading

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2002-2003

The Parliament of the

Commonwealth of Australia

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Presented and read a first time

(Ms Draper, Mr Randall)

Protection of Australian Flags (Desecration of the Flag) Bill 2003

A Bill for an Act to amend the Flags Act 1953

Contents

1 Short title       1

2 Commencement       1

3 Schedule(s)       2

Schedule 1--Amendment of the Flags Act 1953       3

Desecrating the Australian National Flag and Australian Ensigns       3

A Bill for an Act to amend the Flags Act 1953

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

1 Short title

        This Act may be cited as the Protection of Australian Flags (Desecration of the Flag) Act 2003

2 Commencement

        This Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

3 Schedule(s)

        Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.

Schedule 1--Amendment of the Flags Act 1953

1. After section 27

Insert:

Desecrating the Australian National Flag and Australian Ensigns

7A (1)       A person who

       (a) desecrates or otherwise dishonours the Australian National Flag or an Australian Ensign; or

       (b) without lawful authority, burns, mutilates or otherwise destroys the Australian National Flag or an Australian Ensign;

       shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalty:       100 penalty units

       (2) In subsection (1):

        `Australian Ensign' means:

       (a) the Australian White Ensign;

       (b) the Australian Red Ensign;

       (c) the Royal Australian Air Force Ensign.".

       (3) Sub-section (1) does not apply to an action of a person where that action results in damage being done to an image of an Australian Flag or an Australian Ensign because that image is affixed to an item or article and the damage done is a consequence of the ordinary use of that item or article.

       (4) Sub-section (1) does not apply to an action of a person disposing of an Australian Flag or an Australian Ensign because it has become worn, soiled or damaged.

       (5) Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code applies to all offences against this section.

        Note: Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility.

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