Higher Penalties and Community Service for Interfering with War Memorials
Police Offences Amendment (Increased Penalties for Damage to Tasmanian War Memorials) Bill 2026
Private Member's BillHouse of Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Introduced by: Michael Ferguson MP (LIB)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Michael Ferguson LIB
“Honourable Speaker, a vote will be required. I move - That the bill be now read the second time. This bill strengthens Tasmania’s laws protecting war memorials and ensures that those who damage places of remembrance face meaningful consequences.”
Jen Butler ALP
“Honourable Speaker, I rise to speak to the Police Offences Amendment (Increased Penalties for Damage to Tasmanian War Memorials) Bill 2026. I’d like to thank member Michael Ferguson for bringing this on. I’d also like to acknowledge Mr Gallagher and Mr Hardy who are joining us today who do a really fantastic job representing RSL Tasmania.”
Tabatha Badger GRN
“Honourable Speaker, I rise on behalf of the Greens to speak on this bill. I put on record our unequivocal condemnation of vandalism or destruction of war memorials in Tasmania. We acknowledge the pain and anger that damage or defacing of war memorials, intentional or otherwise, can cause in the community.”
George Razay IND
“Honourable Speaker, war memorials represent courage, honour, loss and sacrifice. They are more than stone; [and] more than steel; [and] more than bricks. They are symbols of remembrance, standing in honour of the men and women who served our country - Mr Ferguson - Hear, hear. Prof RAZAY - who sacrificed their lives to secure the freedom and peace we enjoy today.”
Peter George IND
“Honourable Speaker, I acknowledge the presence of the RSL with great respect today, and I also recognise that this amendment is very close to the heart of the member for Bass, Mr Ferguson, and I appreciate its intent.”
Helen Burnet IND
“Honourable Speaker, I thank Mr Ferguson for bringing this to the House. The desecration of war memorials is something that must be condemned, just as the desecration of other monuments and places of worship should also be condemned.”
Gavin Pearce LIB
“Honourable Speaker, I recognise the RSL, the president and the CEO. I congratulate the member for Bass for bringing on this motion, this strong motion that reinforces the - Mr Bayley - It’s a bill. It changes the law; it’s a bill, not a motion. The SPEAKER - Order. The minister only has a couple of minutes. I ask that he be heard in silence, please.”
Michael Gaffney IND
“I rise to speak to the Police Offences Amendment (Increased Penalties for Damage to Tasmanian War Memorials) Bill 2026. I note that it has originated as a private member’s bill by the honourable member for Bass, as an obvious and immediate response to yet another mindless desecration of a Tasmanian war memorial.”
“Thank you, Mr President. I rise to speak in support of the Police Offences Amendment (Damage to War Memorials) Bill 2026. Across our communities, whether in large regional centres or small towns, cenotaphs and memorials stand as quiet, enduring reminders of sacrifice. They are places where we gather on Anzac Day, on Remembrance Day and in moments of collective and individual reflection.”
Cassy O'Connor GRN
“Thank you, Mr President. I rise today to speak on behalf of the Greens on the Police Offences Amendment (Increased Penalties for Damage to Tasmanian War Memorials) Bill 2026. At the outset, I’ll put on the record our unequivocal condemnation of vandalism or destruction of war memorials, these sacred places in Tasmania.”
“Thank you, Mr President. I’d like to acknowledge the member for Bass and also the minister for Police, who’s only just left in the back of the Chamber. I thank the honourable Leader for bringing forward the bill and I welcome the opportunity to speak on it.”
Casey Hiscutt IND
“Thank you, Mr President. I too note the member for Bass Michael Ferguson in the House today. This is a very short bill, so I’ll try to keep my contributions short. Firstly, I acknowledge that this bill is a private members’ bill by the member for Bass, Michael Ferguson, from the other House. I thank him for bringing the issue to the table.”
Sarah Lovell ALP
“Mr President, I’ll just say at the outset that, as we did in the other place, Labor will support the bill, but I do note that there are some amendments that are being brought to the Chamber for debate, and I look forward to the debate on those and will be considering those amendments. I think there are potentially some ways there that we can strengthen the bill, so I look forward to that debate.”
Meg Webb IND
“Thank you. Mr President, I rise to make a contribution to the debate on this private member’s bill, and at the outset I wish to acknowledge the work that it takes to prepare and present a private member’s bill. I do appreciate that effort and recognise the effort undertaken by the member for Bass in the other place to do that. I acknowledge his interest in making an effort in this area.”
Rebecca Thomas IND
“I rise to make a brief contribution in support of the Police Offences Amendment (Increased Penalties for Damage to War Memorials) Bill 2026. I acknowledge, as other members have, the member for Bass, Mr Ferguson in the Chamber tonight, and I thank him for his efforts in preparing this bill. Mr President, the decision to support this bill was pretty simple for me.”
Tania Rattray IND
“Mr President, I move That the bill, as amended, be taken into consideration tomorrow. Motion agreed to.”