Crimes Against Pregnant People Apply to All Genders; Fines Rise for Lawyers with Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct; Fines or Jail for Intimidating People Over Human Rights Complaints

ACT Crimes Against Pregnant People Apply to All Genders; Fines Rise for Lawyers with Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct; Fines or Jail for Intimidating People Over Human Rights Complaints

Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 3)

16 Feb 2026: Passed by Parliament and signed off by the governor.

This bill kicks in: TBA

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Topics

child safety conflict of interest court procedures criminal justice discrimination freedom of speech gender equality hate speech human rights information sharing legal profession pregnant persons professional licensing public safety sentencing vilification vulnerable people +12 more

Introduced by: The Hon Tara Cheyne MLA (ALP) — Attorney-General, Minister , Minister for City and Government Services, Minister for Human Rights, Minister for the Night-Time Economy

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Laws regarding crimes against pregnant people, including aggravated offences and sentencing factors, are updated to apply to all pregnant people regardless of gender rather than only to women.

The laws against unlawful and serious vilification are expanded to protect people based on their sex or their association (such as being a relative) with a person or group identified by protected attributes.

Complainants can amend a complaint made to the Human Rights Commission at any time with permission. Protections against victimisation and civil or criminal liability now cover these amendments, and penalties including fines or imprisonment apply to those who threaten or intimidate someone to force them to amend (or not amend) a complaint.

The National Authority (ACECQA) can share prohibition notices with the Commissioner for Fair Trading and Access Canberra to help identify people banned from working in early childhood education and care settings, which may lead to those people being refused registration to work with vulnerable people.

Fines for legal practitioners found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct are increased; the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal can now fine a practitioner up to $25,000, and the ACT Law Society can fine them up to $10,000.

The ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal can allow a party to inspect or copy documents and items produced under a subpoena.

People exercising functions under the National Law for education and care services must keep protected personal information confidential and not disclose it to others.

The Minister for the Official Visitor scheme must not appoint a public servant or anyone with a conflict of interest as an official visitor. Official visitors must avoid conflicts of interest and notify the Official Visitors Board about any paid work or activities that might create one.

The Legal Aid Commission can now deposit wills made with its assistance with the Public Trustee and Guardian, provided it keeps a record of the transfer.

Scanning and frisk searches can now be used at both major events and important sporting events, and a legal reference regarding unauthorised entry to event venues is corrected.

The provision governing how a civil partnership is entered into under the laws for domestic relationships is removed.

The functions of the Discrimination Commissioner are expanded to apply to all people, rather than just men and women.

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Tara Cheyne ALP

“I move: That this bill be agreed to in principle. I am pleased to present the Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 3) to the Assembly. The bill makes amendments across 13 pieces of legislation to improve their operation. It is an omnibus bill, making minor and technical amendments to laws falling primarily within my portfolios.”

Official source →

Chiaka Barry LIB

“Firstly, I would like to acknowledge that regular reviews of legislation are very important. They allow us to identify how laws operate in practice, to understand the challenges that arise on the ground and to make necessary amendments where the law is no longer fit for purpose.”