Higher Penalties and Mandatory Compensation for Damaging War Memorials and Protected Places
Summary Offences Amendment (War Memorials and Other Protected Places) Bill 2025
1st House
2nd House
Law
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
Fines for damaging or defacing a protected place jump from 40 to 200 penalty units; offenders can now face 2 years in prison.
Fines for committing a nuisance or indecent act at a war memorial or interment site increase from 20 to 200 penalty units.
Courts must order offenders to pay costs or compensation to victims and public authorities; this applies unless special circumstances exist.
The Local Court cannot order compensation amounts that exceed its standard civil jurisdiction limits.
The definition of war memorials expands to include shrines, statues, and surrounding areas like gardens or pools.
Regulations can now exclude specific structures or areas from being classified as war memorials.