New Animal Abuse Crimes and Updates to Court and Coroners Laws
Justice Legislation Further Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2025
1st House
2nd House
Law
Introduced by: Sonya Kilkenny (ALP), Enver Erdogan (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
Producing animal abuse material is now a criminal offence with up to 5 years imprisonment. Animal abuse material means images or video depicting an animal being tortured, killed or subjected to sexual acts, where a reasonable person would regard it as intended to excite sexual or sadistic interest. Digitally generated images are included.
Distributing animal abuse material carries up to 5 years imprisonment. Possessing or accessing animal abuse material carries up to 3 years imprisonment. Controlling access to electronic material (such as by hosting it online) counts as possession.
Courts can now review suppression orders made before 1 December 2013 on application from victims, the Attorney-General, media organisations, or other interested parties. If a sexual or family violence victim consents and is over 18, the court must revoke the order.
The offence of bestiality is extended to cover a person who allows an animal to sexually penetrate or touch them, not only a person who initiates sexual contact with an animal.
More doctors can now register deaths directly with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Coroners have clearer statutory powers to re-open previously finalised investigations and set aside findings.
Fines and infringement notices can be served by email or via an approved government online platform. Service is deemed received even if a delivery failure notification is later received by the sender.
The Drug Court Division of the County Court is given ongoing statutory authority to hear certain offences, resolving a technical legal gap that could have disrupted that court's operation.
Topics
animal abuse coroners investigations court suppression orders death registration drug court fines and infringements toll road payments traffic offences