Queensland Bills Explanatory Notes Queensland Bills Explanatory Notes[Index] [Search] [Download] [Bill] [Help]
1
Vagrants, Gaming and Other Offences (Flag
Protection) Amendment Bill 2003
VAGRANTS, GAMING AND OTHER
OFFENCES (FLAG PROTECTION)
AMENDMENT BILL 2003
EXPLANATORY NOTES
Title of the Bill
Vagrants, Gaming and Other Offences (Flag Protection) Amendment
Bill 2003.
Objectives of the Bill
This bill will amend the Vagrants, Gaming and Other Offences Act 1931
to provide protection for our State and National flags.
Reasons for the objectives and how they will be achieved
Members of the general public have expressed concern that vision taken
during demonstrations causes great distress to them when protestors slash,
burn or otherwise destroy our flag symbols. This bill proposes to protect
those two important symbols of this State and this Nation from desecration.
Administrative Costs
Cost to Government for implementation - Nil. As this will become an
offence, Police will administer the provisions through existing budget
allocations.
Consistency with Fundamental Legislative Principles
It may be argued that this provision removes a fundamental freedom.
The bill does not remove the right to peaceful protest. It removes one
aspect of protest (the desecration of State or National flags) but does
nothing else to undermine the right to march or protest.
2
Vagrants, Gaming and Other Offences (Flag
Protection) Amendment Bill 2003
Consultation
Members of the community.
NOTES ON CLAUSES
Clause 1 sets our the short title of the Act.
Clause 2 provides that the Act commences on a day to be fixed by
proclamation.
Clause 3 states that the Vagrants, Gaming and Other Offences Act 1931
is amended.
Clause 4 amends Section 35A of the Vagrants, Gaming and Other
Offences Act 1931 to make it an offence to intentionally burn, slash or
otherwise damage or destroy the flag of a State or the Commonwealth in a
public place. The clause allows however for the private destruction of a
damaged aged or tattered flag prior to its disposal.