Premium Content:

Emergency laws allow for fines of up to $12,600 for vilification

Emergency laws to stop people being vilified during the debate surrounding the government’s postal survey on marriage will be introduced to parliament this week.

- Advertisement -

The laws will see civil prosecutions with fines of up to $12,600 for people who feel vilified or threatened during the campaign.

The emergency laws will only apply up until the end of the campaign in December and any prosecutions that proceed will first need to be approved by Attorney General George Brandis.

Courts will not be able to oppose fines or jail time on people who break the law, only civil penalties will apply.

“It will be unlawful to vilify, intimidate or threaten to harm a person either because of views they hold on the survey or in relation to their religious conviction, sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status,” a government spokesman said.

“That will be a sunset provision, it will only last for the period of the postal plebiscite.”

The new laws are expected to be rushed through both houses of parliament on Thursday.

OIP Staff


Support OUTinPerth

Thanks for reading OUTinPerth. We can only create LGBTIQA+ focused media with your help.

If you can help support our work, please consider assisting us through a one-off contribution to our GoFundMe campaign, or a regular contribution through our Patreon appeal.

Become a Supporter→     Make a contribution→ 

Latest

Brigitte Macron will prove that she’s a cisgender woman for lawsuit

The couple are suing conservative commentator Candice Owens.

Busselton rate payer group welcomes Neo-Nazi candidate to their forum

Other candidate have refused to share a stage with Stephen Wells.

‘Leg Business’ – hilarious, profound, shocking and unforgettable

This new production at The Blue Room is not to be missed if you love bold and boundary pushing theatre.

Barack Obama speaks out against Trump administration’s media intimidation

The former President says the intimidation of media companies has reached a "dangerous" level.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Brigitte Macron will prove that she’s a cisgender woman for lawsuit

The couple are suing conservative commentator Candice Owens.

Busselton rate payer group welcomes Neo-Nazi candidate to their forum

Other candidate have refused to share a stage with Stephen Wells.

‘Leg Business’ – hilarious, profound, shocking and unforgettable

This new production at The Blue Room is not to be missed if you love bold and boundary pushing theatre.

Barack Obama speaks out against Trump administration’s media intimidation

The former President says the intimidation of media companies has reached a "dangerous" level.

Donald Trump says he’d have “no problem” with a proposal to remove Pride flags from Washington’s streets

The comments come as the US administration signals a crackdown of press freedom and freedom of speech.

Brigitte Macron will prove that she’s a cisgender woman for lawsuit

The couple are suing conservative commentator Candice Owens.

Busselton rate payer group welcomes Neo-Nazi candidate to their forum

Other candidate have refused to share a stage with Stephen Wells.

‘Leg Business’ – hilarious, profound, shocking and unforgettable

This new production at The Blue Room is not to be missed if you love bold and boundary pushing theatre.