[no bill text published] NSW Higher Penalties and Mandatory Compensation for Damaging War Memorials and Protected Places

Summary Offences Amendment (War Memorials and Other Protected Places) Bill 2025

Opposition Bill

29 May 2025: This bill has lapsed and is no longer under discussion.

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Topics

court costs criminal penalties public monuments vandalism war memorials

Introduced by: Robyn Preston MP (LIB)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Official page: bill text and explanatory notes

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 (2026: $4,400 to $22,000); 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 (2026: $2,200 to $22,000).
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.

News articles and press releases

Summary Offences Amendment (War Memorials and Other Protected Places) Bill 2025

Ms ROBYN PRESTON, Member for Hawkesbury — 2025-05-15

There is a serious problem with individuals and groups using our war memorials and sacred places as locations for protesting. I object to that, as do RSL sub-branches. I speak to people throughout New South Wales, and I know our community expects much better. This bill, which amends the Summary Offences Act, makes clear that all war memorials are included as protected places for the offences of damaging and desecrating protected places, and increases the penalty for the offence of damaging or desecrating protected places.