Victorian Current Acts Victorian Current Acts(1) A person must not make a statement that the person believes to be false—
(a) with the intention of inducing the person to whom the statement is made or others to believe that goods have been contaminated; and
S. 251(1)(b) amended by No. 66/2005 s. 5(2)(a).
(b) with the intention of thereby causing, or being reckless as to whether or not the statement would cause—
S. 251(1)(b)(i) amended by No. 66/2005 s. 5(2)(b).
(i) public alarm or anxiety; or
S. 251(1)(b)(ii) amended by No. 66/2005 s. 5(2)(b)(c).
(ii) economic loss through public awareness of the statement.
Penalty: Level 5 imprisonment (10 years maximum) or a level 5 fine (1200 penalty units maximum) or both.
(2) For the purposes of this section, making a statement includes conveying information by any means.
Note to s. 251 inserted by No. 80/2001 s. 7(3).
Note
Division 2B of Part 4 of the Sentencing Act 1991 provides for the making of cost recovery orders in respect of costs incurred by emergency service agencies in providing an immediate response to an emergency arising out of the commission of an offence against this section.
New s. 252 inserted by No. 65/1998 s. 5, amended by No. 66/2005 s. 6(a).