TAS Higher Sentences for Electronically Publishing Material Related to Crimes

Sentencing Amendment (Publication of Criminal Activity) Bill 2026

10 Sep 2026: This bill has passed its first house and is now before the second house for its own debate.

House of Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Topics

criminal justice cyberbullying online harassment sentencing social media victim protection

Introduced by: The Hon Guy Barnett MP (LIB)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Courts can increase a sentence if an offender publishes images, videos, or statements about their crime or the victim online.
This applies if a reasonable person thinks the material humiliates, intimidates, or victimises the victim.
Sentences can also be increased if the offender publishes material to boast about the crime; this includes glorifying the act or trying to increase their own notoriety.
These rules apply to offences committed on or after the law starts.
The Justice Minister must review how these sentencing rules work after five years.
The Justice Minister must provide a written report on the review to Parliament.