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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.
FLAGS (PROTECTION OF AUSTRALIAN FLAGS) AMENDMENT BILL 2008
2008
The Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia
THE SENATE
Presented and read a first time
Flags (Protection of Australian Flags)
Amendment Bill 2008
No. , 2008
(Senator Barnett)
A Bill for an Act to amend the Flags Act 1953 to
prevent the desecration or wilful destruction of
Australian flags, and for related purposes
i Flags (Protection of Australian Flags) Amendment Bill 2008 No. , 2008
Contents
1
Short title ............................................................................................ 1
2
Commencement .................................................................................. 2
3
Object of Act....................................................................................... 2
4
Schedule(s) ......................................................................................... 2
Schedule 1--Amendme nt of the Flags Act 1953
3
Flags (Protection of Australian Flags) Amendment Bill 2008 No. , 2008 1
A Bill for an Act to amend the Flags Act 1953 to
1
prevent the desecration or wilful destruction of
2
Australian Flags, and for related purposes
3
Preamble
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Whereas the Australian National Flag is the national symbol of the
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identity of the Commonwealth of Australia and its people, and
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Desiring to protect the Australian National Flag and other
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proclaimed Flags from desecration or wilful destruction:
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The Parliament of Australia enacts:
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1 Short title
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This Act may be cited as the Flags (Protection of Australian
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Flags) Amendment Act 2008.
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2 Flags (Protection of Australian Flags) Amendment Bill 2008 No. , 2008
2 Commence ment
1
This Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal
2
Assent.
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3 Object of Act
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The object of this Act is to amend the Flags Act 1953 to protect the
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Australian National Flag and any other flag proclaimed by the
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Governor-General in accordance with section 5 of the Flags Act
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1953 from desecration or wilful destruction.
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4 Schedule(s)
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Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or
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repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule
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concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect
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according to its terms.
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Amend ment of the Flags Act 1953 Schedule 1
Flags (Protection of Australian Flags) Amendment Bill 2008 No. , 2008 3
1
Schedule 1
--
Amendment of the Flags Act
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1953
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1 After section 7
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Insert:
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7A Desecration or destruction of the Australian National Flag or a
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proclaimed flag
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(1) It is an offence for a person, without reasonable excuse, to wilfully
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damage or destroy in any manner, burn or deface, defile, mutilate
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or trample upon or otherwise desecrate:
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(a) the Australian National Flag; or
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(b) any other flag proclaimed by the Governor-General in
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accordance with section 5.
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Penalty:
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(a) 2 penalty units; or
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(b) a community service order.
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(2) In proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), it is a defence
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if the person has destroyed, burnt or otherwise dealt with the
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Australian National Flag or a proclaimed flag in accordance with
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subsection (1) because it has become worn, soiled or damaged in
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normal usage.
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Note 1:
Proclaimed flags include the Australian Aboriginal Flag, the Torres
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Strait Islander Flag, the Australian Defence Force Ensign, the Royal
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Australian Air Force Ensign and the Australian White Ensign.
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Note 2:
Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code sets out the general principles of
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criminal responsibility.
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