Tough new penalties for anthrax hoaxers

7/11/01
People committing serious criminal hoaxes such as the recent anthrax scares could be jailed for up to 10 years under legislation introduced to State Parliament today.
Attorney General Jim McGinty said offenders could also be liable for the cost of investigating a hoax, which could run into many thousands of dollars.
Mr McGinty said the tough penalties reflected the serious nature of the anthrax hoaxes.
"People perpetrating these acts are fully aware that anthrax terrorism overseas has resulted in both infections and deaths, and they are callously exploiting the fear this creates," he said.
"It is a despicable and cowardly act that causes great distress and also places a huge burden on emergency service and health workers, who must treat each hoax seriously.
"In the past few weeks, emergency service workers in WA have responded to more than 100 anthrax call-outs, with about 90 per cent of these in the metropolitan area.
"In some cases, entire buildings have had to be evacuated, causing significant disruption and downtime for businesses in addition to the distress to individuals."
Mr McGinty said the culprits ranged from stupid, thoughtless individuals perpetrating practical jokes, through to callous, cowardly individuals seeking to exploit community fear - but he was today putting all of those people on notice.
"Anyone considering this type of hoax in the future should think twice. If you are caught, the price will be high," he said.
Mr McGinty said existing provisions in the Police Act were not adequate to deal with the serious nature of the anthrax hoaxes, providing for only a simple offence carrying a penalty of $500 or six months' jail. In contrast, the Bill introduced today created a new, far more serious offence under the Criminal Code, with substantially higher penalties.
The Attorney General said the new laws were not restricted to anthrax hoaxes. They could be applied to any act intended to create a false belief, suspicion or fear as to the existence of threats or danger.
Media contact: Amanda O'Brien 9220 5000