Attorney General introduces significant Criminal Code Amendments

19/9/00

Attorney General Peter Foss today introduced into Parliament significant legislation which makes numerous amendments to the Criminal Code.
"The reforms contained within the Bill will assist in making the Criminal Code more effective and relevant to the needs of the Western Australian community," Mr Foss said.
The Criminal Code Amendment Bill (No.2) 2000 particularly addresses the contentious issue of spousal stealing.
"Currently under the Criminal Code neither partner incurs any criminal responsibility with respect to any act done in connection with each other's property, except where they are about to separate or where intent to defraud another individual is an element," Mr Foss said.
"With these amendments married people will, with the protection of criminal law, be able to preserve their own separate property."
Victims of stalking have also been considered in the proposed Criminal Code amendments.
"The act of stalking is a sustained invasion of another's privacy and the resultant court proceedings necessarily involve a further intrusion.
"However it is hoped that the restricting of publication or broadcast of any matter likely to lead to the identification of victims of these offences will offer at least some relief against this intrusion," Mr Foss said.
The extensive Bill also provides penalties for a range of offences for people involved in paedophilia activities organised in WA.
"The government has responded to the concerns of the community with regard to Australians who participate in paedophile sex tours in other countries - including the operators of such tours," Mr Foss said.
In addition, amendments to the Travel Agents Act will specifically exclude an individual or body corporate who has been convicted under the proposed Section 187 of The Criminal Code (or the relevant sections of the Crimes Act 1914 Cth) from gaining or holding a travel agent's licence.
Other proposed amendments to the Criminal Code also include provisions to:

• create an offence and criminal sanctions for intentional contamination of goods;
• render people contracted by the State liable for the misuse of Government held information;
• amend Chapter IX of the Code (unlawful assemblies, breaches of the peace) providing for summary disposition of all Chapter IX offences (except sections 65 & 66) and to modernise language;
• create an offence of removing mussels and other fish raised by aquaculture; and -
• clarify the wording of the offence relating to attempted infanticide.

"The comprehensive amendments include the removal of anachronisms and the correction of minor anomalies - as well as significant changes to substantive provisions," Mr Foss said.
Media contact: Danielle van Kampen - 9321 2222