Crimes Legislation Amendment (Telecommunications Offences and Other Measures) Act (No. 2) 2004 (127 of 2004)
Schedule 1 Telecommunications offences
Part 1 Main amendments
Criminal Code Act 1995
1 Part 10.6 of the Criminal Code
Repeal the Part, substitute:
Part 10.6 - Telecommunications Services
Division 473 - Preliminary
473.1 Definitions
In this Part:
access in relation to material includes:
(a) the display of the material by a computer or any other output of the material from a computer; or
(b) the copying or moving of the material to any place in a computer or to a data storage device; or
(c) in the case of material that is a program - the execution of the program.
account identifier means:
(a) something that:
(i) contains subscription-specific secure data; and
(ii) is installed, or capable of being installed, in a mobile telecommunications device; or
(b) anything else that:
(i) allows a particular mobile telecommunications account to be identified; and
(ii) is prescribed by the regulations as an account identifier for the purposes of this Part.
Note: Paragraph (a) - This would include a SIM card.
carriage service provider has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997.
Note: See also section 474.3 respecting persons who are taken to be carriage service providers in relation to certain matters.
carrier has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997.
Note: See also section 474.3 respecting persons who are taken to be carriers in relation to certain matters.
carry includes transmit, switch and receive.
child abuse material means:
(a) material that depicts a person, or a representation of a person, who:
(i) is, or appears to be, under 18 years of age; and
(ii) is, or appears to be, a victim of torture, cruelty or physical abuse;
and does this in a way that reasonable persons would regard as being, in all the circumstances, offensive; or
(b) material that describes a person who:
(i) is, or is implied to be, under 18 years of age; and
(ii) is, or is implied to be, a victim of torture, cruelty or physical abuse;
and does this in a way that reasonable persons would regard as being, in all the circumstances, offensive.
child pornography material means:
(a) material that depicts a person, or a representation of a person, who is, or appears to be, under 18 years of age and who:
(i) is engaged in, or appears to be engaged in, a sexual pose or sexual activity (whether or not in the presence of other persons); or
(ii) is in the presence of a person who is engaged in, or appears to be engaged in, a sexual pose or sexual activity;
and does this in a way that reasonable persons would regard as being, in all the circumstances, offensive; or
(b) material the dominant characteristic of which is the depiction, for a sexual purpose, of:
(i) a sexual organ or the anal region of a person who is, or appears to be, under 18 years of age; or
(ii) a representation of such a sexual organ or anal region; or
(iii) the breasts, or a representation of the breasts, of a female person who is, or appears to be, under 18 years of age;
in a way that reasonable persons would regard as being, in all the circumstances, offensive; or
(c) material that describes a person who is, or is implied to be, under 18 years of age and who:
(i) is engaged in, or is implied to be engaged in, a sexual pose or sexual activity (whether or not in the presence of other persons); or
(ii) is in the presence of a person who is engaged in, or is implied to be engaged in, a sexual pose or sexual activity;
and does this in a way that reasonable persons would regard as being, in all the circumstances, offensive; or
(d) material that describes:
(i) a sexual organ or the anal region of a person who is, or is implied to be, under 18 years of age; or
(ii) the breasts of a female person who is, or is implied to be, under 18 years of age;
and does this in a way that reasonable persons would regard as being, in all the circumstances, offensive.
communication in the course of telecommunications carriage means a communication that is being carried by a carrier or carriage service provider, and includes a communication that has been collected or received by a carrier or carriage service provider for carriage, but has not yet been delivered by the carrier or carriage service provider.
connected , in relation to a telecommunications network, includes connection otherwise than by means of physical contact (for example, a connection by means of radiocommunication).
control of data, or material that is in the form of data, has the meaning given by section 473.2.
depict includes contain data from which a visual image (whether still or moving) can be generated.
describe includes contain data from which text or sounds can be generated.
emergency call person has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997.
emergency service number has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997.
emergency service organisation has the same meaning as in section 147 of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999.
facility has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997.
intelligence or security officer means an officer or employee of:
(a) the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation; or
(b) the Australian Secret Intelligence Service; or
(c) the Office of National Assessments; or
(d) that part of the Department of Defence known as the Defence Signals Directorate; or
(e) that part of the Department of Defence known as the Defence Intelligence Organisation;
and includes a staff member (within the meaning of the Intelligence Services Act 2001) of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service or the Defence Signals Directorate.
interception device means an apparatus or device that:
(a) is of a kind that is capable of being used to enable a person to intercept a communication passing over a telecommunications system; and
(b) could reasonably be regarded as having been designed:
(i) for the purpose of; or
(ii) for purposes including the purpose of;
using it in connection with the interception of communications passing over a telecommunications system; and
(c) is not designed principally for the reception of communications transmitted by radiocommunications.
Terms used in this definition that are defined in the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 have the same meaning in this definition as they have in that Act.
Internet content host has the same meaning as in Schedule 5 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
Internet service provider has the same meaning as in Schedule 5 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
law enforcement officer means any of the following:
(a) the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, a Deputy Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, an AFP employee or a special member of the Australian Federal Police (all within the meaning of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979);
(b) a member, or employee, of the police force of a State or Territory;
(c) a member of the staff of the Australian Crime Commission (within the meaning of the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002);
(d) a member of a police force, or other law enforcement agency, of a foreign country;
(e) the Director of Public Prosecutions or a person performing a similar function under a law of a State or Territory;
(f) a member of the staff of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (within the meaning of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983) or of a similar body established under a law of a State or Territory.
loss means a loss in property, whether temporary or permanent, and includes not getting what one might get.
material includes material in any form, or combination of forms, capable of constituting a communication.
mobile telecommunications account means an account with a carriage service provider for the supply of a public mobile telecommunications service to an end-user.
mobile telecommunications device means an item of customer equipment (within the meaning of the Telecommunications Act 1997) that is used, or is capable of being used, in connection with a public mobile telecommunications service.
nominated carrier has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997.
NRS provider has the same meaning as in Part 3 of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999.
obtaining includes:
(a) obtaining for another person; and
(b) inducing a third person to do something that results in another person obtaining.
obtaining data, or material that is in the form of data, has the meaning given by section 473.3.
possession of data, or material that is in the form of data, has the meaning given by section 473.2.
producing data, or material that is in the form of data, has the meaning given by section 473.3.
property has the same meaning as in Chapter 7.
public mobile telecommunications service has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997.
radiocommunication has the same meaning as in the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
serious offence against a foreign law means an offence against a law of a foreign country constituted by conduct that, if it had occurred in Australia, would have constituted a serious offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.
serious offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory means an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory that is punishable by imprisonment:
(a) for life; or
(b) for a period of 5 or more years.
subscription-specific secure data means data that is used, or is capable of being used, to:
(a) allow a carrier to identify a particular mobile telecommunications account (whether an existing account or an account that may be set up in the future); and
(b) allow a mobile telecommunications device in which an account identifier that contains the data is installed to access the public mobile telecommunication service to which that account relates.
supplying data, or material that is in the form of data, has the meaning given by section 473.3.
telecommunications device identifier means:
(a) an electronic identifier of a mobile telecommunications device that is:
(i) installed in the device by the manufacturer; and
(ii) is capable of being used to distinguish that particular device from other mobile telecommunications devices; or
(b) any other form of identifier that is prescribed by the regulations as a telecommunications device identifier for the purposes of this Part.
Note: Paragraph (a) - For example, GSM mobile phones use an industry-recognised International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. This number identifies the particular phone, as compared to the SIM card number which identifies a particular telecommunications account. Carriers are able to block service to lost and stolen mobile phones based on their IMEI numbers.
telecommunications network has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997.
473.2 Possession or control of data or material in the form of data
A reference in this Part to a person having possession or control of data, or material that is in the form of data, includes a reference to the person:
(a) having possession of a computer or data storage device that holds or contains the data; or
(b) having possession of a document in which the data is recorded; or
(c) having control of data held in a computer that is in the possession of another person (whether inside or outside Australia).
473.3 Producing, supplying or obtaining data or material in the form of data
A reference in this Part to a person producing, supplying or obtaining data, or material that is in the form of data, includes a reference to the person:
(a) producing, supplying or obtaining data held or contained in a computer or data storage device; or
(b) producing, supplying or obtaining a document in which the data is recorded.
473.4 Determining whether material is offensive
The matters to be taken into account in deciding for the purposes of this Part whether reasonable persons would regard particular material, or a particular use of a carriage service, as being, in all the circumstances, offensive, include:
(a) the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults; and
(b) the literary, artistic or educational merit (if any) of the material; and
(c) the general character of the material (including whether it is of a medical, legal or scientific character).
Division 474 - Telecommunications offences
Subdivision A - Dishonesty with respect to carriage services
474.1 Dishonesty
(1) For the purposes of this Subdivision, dishonest means:
(a) dishonest according to the standards of ordinary people; and
(b) known by the defendant to be dishonest according to the standards of ordinary people.
(2) In a prosecution for an offence against this Subdivision, the determination of dishonesty is a matter for the trier of fact.
474.2 General dishonesty with respect to a carriage service provider
Obtaining a gain
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the person does anything with the intention of dishonestly obtaining a gain from a carriage service provider by way of the supply of a carriage service.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
Causing a loss
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if the person does anything with the intention of dishonestly causing a loss to a carriage service provider in connection with the supply of a carriage service.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
(3) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person dishonestly causes a loss, or dishonestly causes a risk of loss, to a carriage service provider in connection with the supply of a carriage service; and
(b) the person knows or believes that the loss will occur or that there is a substantial risk of the loss occurring.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
Subdivision B - Interference with telecommunications
474.3 Person acting for a carrier or carriage service provider
(1) For the purposes of this Subdivision, a person who does any thing for or on behalf of a carrier, or on behalf of persons at least one of whom is a carrier, is, in respect of:
(a) the doing by that person of that thing; or
(b) any rental, fee or charge payable for or in relation to the doing by that person of that thing; or
(c) the operation by that person of a facility in connection with the doing of that thing; or
(d) a facility belonging to that person; or
(e) the operation by that person of a satellite;
taken to be a carrier.
(2) For the purposes of this Subdivision, a person who does any thing for or on behalf of a carriage service provider, or on behalf of persons at least one of whom is a carriage service provider, is, in respect of:
(a) the doing by that person of that thing; or
(b) any rental, fee or charge payable for or in relation to the doing by that person of that thing; or
(c) the operation by that person of a facility in connection with the doing of that thing; or
(d) a facility belonging to that person; or
(e) the operation by that person of a satellite;
taken to be a carriage service provider.
474.4 Interception devices
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) manufactures; or
(ii) advertises, displays or offers for sale; or
(iii) sells; or
(iv) possesses;
an apparatus or device (whether in an assembled or unassembled form); and
(b) the apparatus or device is an interception device.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
(2) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) if the person possesses the interception device in the course of the person's duties relating to the interception of communications that does not constitute a contravention of subsection 7(1) of the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
(3) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) if the applicable conduct mentioned in subparagraphs (1)(a)(i) to (iv) is in circumstances specified in regulations made for the purposes of this subsection.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
474.5 Wrongful delivery of communications
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) a communication is in the course of telecommunications carriage; and
(b) the person causes the communication to be received by a person or carriage service other than the person or service to whom it is directed.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 1 year.
(2) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) if the person engages in the conduct referred to in paragraph (1)(b) with the consent or authorisation of the person to whom, or the person operating the carriage service to which, the communication is directed.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
474.6 Interference with facilities
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the person tampers with, or interferes with, a facility owned or operated by:
(a) a carrier; or
(b) a carriage service provider; or
(c) a nominated carrier.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 1 year.
(2) For the purposes of an offence against subsection (1), absolute liability applies to the physical element of circumstance of the offence, that the facility is owned or operated by a carrier, a carriage service provider or a nominated carrier.
(3) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person tampers with, or interferes with, a facility owned or operated by:
(i) a carrier; or
(ii) a carriage service provider; or
(iii) a nominated carrier; and
(b) this conduct results in hindering the normal operation of a carriage service supplied by a carriage service provider.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(4) For the purposes of an offence against subsection (3), absolute liability applies to the following physical elements of circumstance of the offence:
(a) that the facility is owned or operated by a carrier, a carriage service provider or a nominated carrier;
(b) that the carriage service is supplied by a carriage service provider.
(5) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person uses or operates any apparatus or device (whether or not it is comprised in, connected to or used in connection with a telecommunications network); and
(b) this conduct results in hindering the normal operation of a carriage service supplied by a carriage service provider.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(6) For the purposes of an offence against subsection (5), absolute liability applies to the physical element of circumstance of the offence, that the carriage service is supplied by a carriage service provider.
(7) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (5) if:
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a law enforcement officer, or an intelligence or security officer, acting in good faith in the course of his or her duties; and
(b) the conduct of the person is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of performing that duty.
Note 1: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
Note 2: See also subsection 475.1(2) for the interaction between this defence and the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
(8) For the purposes of this section, a facility is taken to be owned or operated by a nominated carrier if the Telecommunications Act 1997 applies, under section 81A of that Act, as if that facility were owned or operated by the nominated carrier.
474.7 Modification etc. of a telecommunications device identifier
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the person:
(a) modifies a telecommunications device identifier; or
(b) interferes with the operation of a telecommunications device identifier.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) if the person is:
(a) the manufacturer of the mobile telecommunications device in which the telecommunications device identifier is installed; or
(b) an employee or agent of the manufacturer who is acting on behalf of the manufacturer; or
(c) acting with the consent of the manufacturer.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
(3) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) if:
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a law enforcement officer, or an intelligence or security officer, acting in the course of his or her duties; and
(b) the conduct of the person is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of performing that duty.
Note 1: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
Note 2: This subsection merely creates a defence to an offence against subsection (1) and does not operate to authorise any conduct that requires a warrant under some other law.
474.8 Possession or control of data or a device with intent to modify a telecommunications device identifier
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person has possession or control of any thing or data; and
(b) the person has that possession or control with the intention that the thing or data be used:
(i) by the person; or
(ii) by another person;
in committing an offence against subsection 474.7(1) (modification of a telecommunications device identifier).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) A person may be found guilty of an offence against subsection (1) even if committing the offence against subsection 474.7(1) (modification of a telecommunications device identifier) is impossible.
(3) It is not an offence to attempt to commit an offence against subsection (1).
(4) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) if the person is:
(a) the manufacturer of the mobile telecommunications device in which the telecommunications device identifier is installed; or
(b) an employee or agent of the manufacturer who is acting on behalf of the manufacturer; or
(c) acting with the consent of the manufacturer.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
(5) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) if:
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a law enforcement officer, or an intelligence or security officer, acting in the course of his or her duties; and
(b) the conduct of the person is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of performing that duty.
Note 1: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
Note 2: This subsection merely creates a defence to an offence against subsection (1) and does not operate to authorise any conduct that requires a warrant under some other law.
474.9 Producing, supplying or obtaining data or a device with intent to modify a telecommunications device identifier
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person produces, supplies or obtains any thing or data; and
(b) the person does so with the intention that the thing or data be used:
(i) by the person; or
(ii) by another person;
in committing an offence against subsection 474.7(1) (modification of a telecommunications device identifier).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) A person may be found guilty of an offence against subsection (1) even if committing the offence against subsection 474.7(1) (modification of a telecommunications device identifier) is impossible.
(3) It is not an offence to attempt to commit an offence against subsection (1).
(4) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) if the person is:
(a) the manufacturer of the mobile telecommunications device in which the telecommunications device identifier is installed; or
(b) an employee or agent of the manufacturer who is acting on behalf of the manufacturer; or
(c) acting with the consent of the manufacturer.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
(5) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) if:
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a law enforcement officer, or an intelligence or security officer, acting in the course of his or her duties; and
(b) the conduct of the person is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of performing that duty.
Note 1: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
Note 2: This subsection merely creates a defence to an offence against subsection (1) and does not operate to authorise any conduct that requires a warrant under some other law.
474.10 Copying subscription-specific secure data
Copying subscription-specific secure data from an existing account identifier
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the person:
(a) copies the subscription-specific secure data from an account identifier; and
(b) does so with the intention that the data will be copied (whether by the person or by someone else) onto something that:
(i) is an account identifier; or
(ii) will, once the data is copied onto it, be capable of operating as an account identifier.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
Copying subscription-specific secure data onto a new account identifier
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) subscription-specific secure data is copied from an account identifier (whether by the person or by someone else); and
(b) the person copies that data onto something that:
(i) is an account identifier; or
(ii) will, once the data is copied onto it, be capable of operating as an account identifier.
This is so whether or not the person knows which particular account identifier the subscription-specific secure data is copied from.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
Defences
(3) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) or (2) if the person is:
(a) the carrier who operates the facilities used, or to be used, in the supply of the public mobile telecommunications service to which the subscription-specific secure data relates; or
(b) an employee or agent of that carrier who is acting on behalf of that carrier; or
(c) acting with the consent of that carrier.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
(4) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) or (2) if:
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a law enforcement officer, or an intelligence or security officer, acting in the course of his or her duties; and
(b) the conduct of the person is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of performing that duty.
Note 1: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
Note 2: This subsection merely creates a defence to an offence against subsection (1) or (2) and does not operate to authorise any conduct that requires a warrant under some other law.
474.11 Possession or control of data or a device with intent to copy an account identifier
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person has possession or control of any thing or data; and
(b) the person has that possession or control with the intention that the thing or data be used:
(i) by the person; or
(ii) by another person;
in committing an offence against subsection 474.10(1) (copying subscription-specific secure data from an account identifier) or 474.10(2) (copying subscription-specific secure data onto an account identifier).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) A person may be found guilty of an offence against subsection (1) even if committing the offence against subsection 474.10(1) (copying subscription-specific secure data from an account identifier) or 474.10(2) (copying subscription-specific secure data onto an account identifier) is impossible.
(3) It is not an offence to attempt to commit an offence against subsection (1).
Defences
(4) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) if the person is:
(a) the carrier who operates the facilities used, or to be used, in the supply of the public mobile telecommunications service to which the subscription-specific secure data relates; or
(b) an employee or agent of that carrier who is acting on behalf of that carrier; or
(c) acting with the consent of that carrier.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
(5) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) if:
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a law enforcement officer, or an intelligence or security officer, acting in the course of his or her duties; and
(b) the conduct of the person is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of performing that duty.
Note 1: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
Note 2: This subsection merely creates a defence to an offence against subsection (1) and does not operate to authorise any conduct that requires a warrant under some other law.
474.12 Producing, supplying or obtaining data or a device with intent to copy an account identifier
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person produces, supplies or obtains any thing or data; and
(b) the person does so with the intention that the thing or data be used:
(i) by the person; or
(ii) by another person;
in committing an offence against subsection 474.10(1) (copying subscription-specific secure data from an account identifier) or 474.10(2) (copying subscription-specific secure data onto an account identifier).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) A person may be found guilty of an offence against subsection (1) even if committing the offence against subsection 474.10(1) (copying subscription-specific secure data from an account identifier) or 474.10(2) (copying subscription-specific secure data onto an account identifier) is impossible.
(3) It is not an offence to attempt to commit an offence against subsection (1).
Defences
(4) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) if the person is:
(a) the carrier who operates the facilities used, or to be used, in the supply of the public mobile telecommunications service to which the subscription-specific secure data relates; or
(b) an employee or agent of that carrier who is acting on behalf of that carrier; or
(c) acting with the consent of that carrier.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
(5) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) if:
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a law enforcement officer, or an intelligence or security officer, acting in the course of his or her duties; and
(b) the conduct of the person is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of performing that duty.
Note 1: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
Note 2: This subsection merely creates a defence to an offence against subsection (1) and does not operate to authorise any conduct that requires a warrant under some other law.
Subdivision C - Offences related to use of telecommunications
474.13 Use of a carriage service
For the purposes of this Subdivision, a person is taken not to use a carriage service by engaging in particular conduct if:
(a) the person is a carrier and, in engaging in that conduct, is acting solely in the person's capacity as a carrier; or
(b) the person is a carriage service provider and, in engaging in that conduct, is acting solely in the person's capacity as a carriage service provider; or
(c) the person is an Internet service provider and, in engaging in that conduct, is acting solely in the person's capacity as an Internet service provider; or
(d) the person is an Internet content host and, in engaging in that conduct, is acting solely in the person's capacity as an Internet content host.
474.14 Using a telecommunications network with intention to commit a serious offence
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) connects equipment to a telecommunications network; and
(ii) intends by this to commit, or to facilitate the commission of, an offence (whether by that person or another person); and
(b) the offence is:
(i) a serious offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or
(ii) a serious offence against a foreign law.
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person uses equipment connected to a telecommunications network in the commission of, or to facilitate the commission of, an offence (whether by that person or another person); and
(b) the offence is:
(i) a serious offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or
(ii) a serious offence against a foreign law.
(3) A person who is guilty of an offence against subsection (1) or (2) is punishable, on conviction, by a penalty not exceeding the penalty applicable to the serious offence.
(4) Absolute liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (2)(b).
Note: For absolute liability , see section 6.2.
(5) A person may be found guilty of an offence against subsection (1) or (2) even if committing the serious offence is impossible.
(6) It is not an offence to attempt to commit an offence against subsection (1) or (2).
474.15 Using a carriage service to make a threat
Threat to kill
(1) A person (the first person ) is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the first person uses a carriage service to make to another person (the second person ) a threat to kill the second person or a third person; and
(b) the first person intends the second person to fear that the threat will be carried out.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Threat to cause serious harm
(2) A person (the first person ) is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the first person uses a carriage service to make to another person (the second person ) a threat to cause serious harm to the second person or a third person; and
(b) the first person intends the second person to fear that the threat will be carried out.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Actual fear not necessary
(3) In a prosecution for an offence against this section, it is not necessary to prove that the person receiving the threat actually feared that the threat would be carried out.
Definitions
(4) In this section:
fear includes apprehension.
threat to cause serious harm to a person includes a threat to substantially contribute to serious harm to the person.
474.16 Using a carriage service for a hoax threat
A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person uses a carriage service to send a communication; and
(b) the person does so with the intention of inducing a false belief that an explosive, or a dangerous or harmful substance or thing, has been or will be left in any place.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
474.17 Using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person uses a carriage service; and
(b) the person does so in a way (whether by the method of use or the content of a communication, or both) that reasonable persons would regard as being, in all the circumstances, menacing, harassing or offensive.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), that subsection applies to menacing, harassing or causing offence to:
(a) an employee of the NRS provider; or
(b) an emergency call person; or
(c) an employee of an emergency service organisation; or
(d) an APS employee in the Attorney-General's Department acting as a National Security Hotline call taker.
474.18 Improper use of emergency call service
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the person:
(a) makes a call to an emergency service number; and
(b) does so with the intention of inducing a false belief that an emergency exists.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person makes a call to an emergency service number; and
(b) the person makes the call otherwise than for the purpose of reporting an emergency; and
(c) the call is a vexatious one.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
(3) In determining whether a call by a person to an emergency service number is a vexatious one, have regard to:
(a) the content of the call; and
(b) the number, frequency and content of previous calls the person has made to emergency service numbers otherwise than for the purpose of reporting emergencies; and
(c) any other relevant matter.
474.19 Using a carriage service for child pornography material
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) uses a carriage service to access material; or
(ii) uses a carriage service to cause material to be transmitted to the person; or
(iii) uses a carriage service to transmit material; or
(iv) uses a carriage service to make material available; or
(v) uses a carriage service to publish or otherwise distribute material; and
(b) the material is child pornography material.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) To avoid doubt, the following are the fault elements for the physical elements of an offence against subsection (1):
(a) intention is the fault element for the conduct referred to in paragraph (1)(a);
(b) recklessness is the fault element for the circumstances referred to in paragraph (1)(b).
Note: For the meaning of intention and recklessness see sections 5.2 and 5.4.
(3) As well as the general defences provided for in Part 2.3, defences are provided for under section 474.21 in relation to this section.
474.20 Possessing, controlling, producing, supplying or obtaining child pornography material for use through a carriage service
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) has possession or control of material; or
(ii) produces, supplies or obtains material; and
(b) the material is child pornography material; and
(c) the person has that possession or control, or engages in that production, supply or obtaining, with the intention that the material be used:
(i) by that person; or
(ii) by another person;
in committing an offence against section 474.19 (using a carriage service for child pornography material).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) A person may be found guilty of an offence against subsection (1) even if committing the offence against section 474.19 (using a carriage service for child pornography material) is impossible.
(3) It is not an offence to attempt to commit an offence against subsection (1).
474.21 Defences in respect of child pornography material
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against section 474.19 (using a carriage service for child pornography material) or 474.20 (possessing etc. child pornography material for use through a carriage service) because of engaging in particular conduct if the conduct:
(a) is of public benefit; and
(b) does not extend beyond what is of public benefit.
In determining whether the person is, under this subsection, not criminally responsible for the offence, the question whether the conduct is of public benefit is a question of fact and the person's motives in engaging in the conduct are irrelevant.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), conduct is of public benefit if, and only if, the conduct is necessary for or of assistance in:
(a) enforcing a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or
(b) monitoring compliance with, or investigating a contravention of, a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or
(c) the administration of justice; or
(d) conducting scientific, medical or educational research that has been approved by the Minister in writing for the purposes of this section.
(3) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against section 474.19 (using a carriage service for child pornography material) or 474.20 (possessing etc. child pornography material for use through a carriage service) if:
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a law enforcement officer, or an intelligence or security officer, acting in the course of his or her duties; and
(b) the conduct of the person is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of performing that duty.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
(4) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against section 474.19 (using a carriage service for child pornography material) or 474.20 (possessing etc. child pornography material for use through a carriage service) if the person engages in the conduct in good faith for the sole purpose of:
(a) assisting the Australian Broadcasting Authority to detect:
(i) prohibited content (within the meaning of Schedule 5 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992); or
(ii) potential prohibited content (within the meaning of that Schedule);
in the performance of the Authority's functions under that Schedule; or
(b) manufacturing or developing, or updating, content filtering technology (including software) in accordance with:
(i) a recognised alternative access-prevention arrangement (within the meaning of clause 40 of Schedule 5 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992); or
(ii) a designated alternative access-prevention arrangement (within the meaning of clause 60 of that Schedule).
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
474.22 Using a carriage service for child abuse material
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) uses a carriage service to access material; or
(ii) uses a carriage service to cause material to be transmitted to the person; or
(iii) uses a carriage service to transmit material; or
(iv) uses a carriage service to make material available; or
(v) uses a carriage service to publish or otherwise distribute material; and
(b) the material is child abuse material.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) To avoid doubt, the following are the fault elements for the physical elements of an offence against subsection (1):
(a) intention is the fault element for the conduct referred to in paragraph (1)(a);
(b) recklessness is the fault element for the circumstances referred to in paragraph (1)(b).
Note: For the meaning of intention and recklessness see sections 5.2 and 5.4.
(3) As well as the general defences provided for in Part 2.3, defences are provided for under section 474.24 in relation to this section.
474.23 Possessing, controlling, producing, supplying or obtaining child abuse material for use through a carriage service
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) has possession or control of material; or
(ii) produces, supplies or obtains material; and
(b) the material is child abuse material; and
(c) the person has that possession or control, or engages in that production, supply or obtaining, with the intention that the material be used:
(i) by that person; or
(ii) by another person;
in committing an offence against section 474.22 (using a carriage service for child abuse material).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) A person may be found guilty of an offence against subsection (1) even if committing the offence against section 474.22 (using a carriage service for child abuse material) is impossible.
(3) It is not an offence to attempt to commit an offence against subsection (1).
474.24 Defences in respect of child abuse material
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against section 474.22 (using a carriage service for child abuse material) or 474.23 (possessing etc. child abuse material for use through a carriage service) because of engaging in particular conduct if the conduct:
(a) is of public benefit; and
(b) does not extend beyond what is of public benefit.
In determining whether the person is, under this subsection, not criminally responsible for the offence, the question whether the conduct is of public benefit is a question of fact and the person's motives in engaging in the conduct are irrelevant.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), conduct is of public benefit if, and only if, the conduct is necessary for or of assistance in:
(a) enforcing a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or
(b) monitoring compliance with, or investigating a contravention of, a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or
(c) the administration of justice; or
(d) conducting scientific, medical or educational research that has been approved by the Minister in writing for the purposes of this section.
(3) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against section 474.22 (using a carriage service for child abuse material) or 474.23 (possessing etc. child abuse material for use through a carriage service) if:
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a law enforcement officer, or an intelligence or security officer, acting in the course of his or her duties; and
(b) the conduct of the person is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of performing that duty.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
(4) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against section 474.22 (using a carriage service for child abuse material) or 474.23 (possessing etc. child abuse material for use through a carriage service) if the person engages in the conduct in good faith for the sole purpose of:
(a) assisting the Australian Broadcasting Authority to detect:
(i) prohibited content (within the meaning of Schedule 5 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992); or
(ii) potential prohibited content (within the meaning of that Schedule);
in the performance of the Authority's functions under that Schedule; or
(b) manufacturing or developing, or updating, content filtering technology (including software) in accordance with:
(i) a recognised alternative access-prevention arrangement (within the meaning of clause 40 of Schedule 5 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992); or
(ii) a designated alternative access-prevention arrangement (within the meaning of clause 60 of that Schedule).
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
474.25 Obligations of Internet service providers and Internet content hosts
A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) is an Internet service provider or an Internet content host; and
(b) is aware that the service provided by the person can be used to access particular material that the person has reasonable grounds to believe is:
(i) child pornography material; or
(ii) child abuse material; and
(c) does not refer details of the material to the Australian Federal Police within a reasonable time after becoming aware of the existence of the material.
Penalty: 100 penalty units.
474.26 Using a carriage service to procure persons under 16 years of age
(1) A person (the sender ) commits an offence if:
(a) the sender uses a carriage service to transmit a communication to another person (the recipient ); and
(b) the sender does this with the intention of procuring the recipient to engage in, or submit to, sexual activity with the sender; and
(c) the recipient is someone who is, or who the sender believes to be, under 16 years of age; and
(d) the sender is at least 18 years of age.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
(2) A person (the sender ) commits an offence if:
(a) the sender uses a carriage service to transmit a communication to another person (the recipient ); and
(b) the sender does this with the intention of procuring the recipient to engage in, or submit to, sexual activity with another person; and
(c) the recipient is someone who is, or who the sender believes to be, under 16 years of age; and
(d) the other person referred to in paragraph (b) is someone who is, or who the sender believes to be, at least 18 years of age.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
(3) A person (the sender ) commits an offence if:
(a) the sender uses a carriage service to transmit a communication to another person (the recipient ); and
(b) the sender does this with the intention of procuring the recipient to engage in, or submit to, sexual activity with another person; and
(c) the recipient is someone who is, or who the sender believes to be, under 16 years of age; and
(d) the other person referred to in paragraph (b) is someone who is, or who the sender believes to be, under 18 years of age; and
(e) the sender intends that the sexual activity referred to in paragraph (b) will take place in the presence of:
(i) the sender; or
(ii) another person who is, or who the sender believes to be, at least 18 years of age.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
474.27 Using a carriage service to "groom" persons under 16 years of age
(1) A person (the sender ) commits an offence if:
(a) the sender uses a carriage service to transmit a communication to another person (the recipient ); and
(b) the communication includes material that is indecent; and
(c) the sender does this with the intention of making it easier to procure the recipient to engage in, or submit to, sexual activity with the sender; and
(d) the recipient is someone who is, or who the sender believes to be, under 16 years of age; and
(e) the sender is at least 18 years of age.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 years.
(2) A person (the sender ) commits an offence if:
(a) the sender uses a carriage service to transmit a communication to another person (the recipient ); and
(b) the communication includes material that is indecent; and
(c) the sender does this with the intention of making it easier to procure the recipient to engage in, or submit to, sexual activity with another person; and
(d) the recipient is someone who is, or who the sender believes to be, under 16 years of age; and
(e) the other person referred to in paragraph (c) is someone who is, or who the sender believes to be, at least 18 years of age.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 years.
(3) A person (the sender ) commits an offence if:
(a) the sender uses a carriage service to transmit a communication to another person (the recipient ); and
(b) the communication includes material that is indecent; and
(c) the sender does this with the intention of making it easier to procure the recipient to engage in, or submit to, sexual activity with another person; and
(d) the recipient is someone who is, or who the sender believes to be, under 16 years of age; and
(e) the other person referred to in paragraph (c) is someone who is, or who the sender believes to be, under 18 years of age; and
(f) the sender intends that the sexual activity referred to in paragraph (c) will take place in the presence of:
(i) the sender; or
(ii) another person who is, or who the sender believes to be, at least 18 years of age.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
(4) In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1), (2) or (3), whether material is indecent is a matter for the trier of fact.
(5) In this section:
indecent means indecent according to the standards of ordinary people.
474.28 Provisions relating to offences against sections 474.26 and 474.27
Age-related issues
(1) For the purposes of an offence against section 474.26 or 474.27, absolute liability applies to the physical element of circumstance of the offence that the recipient is someone who is under 16 years of age.
Note 1: For absolute liability , see section 6.2.
Note 2: For a defence based on belief about age, see section 474.29.
(2) For the purposes of an offence against subsection 474.26(2) or (3) or 474.27(2) or (3), absolute liability applies to the physical elements of circumstance of the offence that the other person referred to in paragraph 474.26(2)(b) or (3)(e) or 474.27(2)(c) or (3)(f) is at least 18 years of age.
Note 1: For absolute liability , see section 6.2.
Note 2: For a defence based on belief about age, see section 474.29.
(3) For the purposes of sections 474.26 and 474.27, evidence that the recipient was represented to the sender as being under or of a particular age is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof that the sender believed the recipient to be under or of that age.
(4) For the purposes of sections 474.26 and 474.27, evidence that the other person referred to in paragraph 474.26(2)(b) or (3)(e) or 474.27(2)(c) or (3)(f) was represented to the sender as being:
(a) at least 18 years of age; or
(b) over or of a particular age;
is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof that the sender believed the other person to be at least 18 years of age or over or of that age.
(5) In determining for the purposes of sections 474.26 and 474.27 how old a person is or was at a particular time, a jury or court may treat any of the following as admissible evidence:
(a) the person's appearance;
(b) medical or other scientific opinion;
(c) a document that is or appears to be an official or medical record from a country outside Australia;
(d) a document that is or appears to be a copy of such a record.
(6) Subsection (5) does not make any other kind of evidence inadmissible, and does not affect a prosecutor's duty to do all he or she can to adduce the best possible evidence for determining the question.
(7) If, on a trial for an offence against sections 474.26 and 474.27, evidence may be treated as admissible because of subsection (5), the court must warn the jury that it must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt in determining the question.
Impossibility of sexual activity taking place
(8) A person may be found guilty of an offence against section 474.26 or 474.27 even if it is impossible for the sexual activity referred to in that section to take place.
Fictitious recipient
(9) For the purposes of sections 474.26 and 474.27, it does not matter that the recipient to whom the sender believes the sender is transmitting the communication is a fictitious person represented to the sender as a real person.
Attempt not offence
(10) It is not an offence to attempt to commit an offence against section 474.26 or 474.27.
Definitions
(11) In sections 474.26 and 474.27 and this section:
procure a person to engage in sexual activity includes:
(a) encourage, entice or recruit the person to engage in that activity; or
(b) induce the person (whether by threats, promises or otherwise) to engage in that activity.
sexual activity means:
(a) sexual intercourse as defined in section 50AC of the Crimes Act 1914; or
(b) an act of indecency as defined in section 50AB of that Act; or
(c) any other activity of a sexual or indecent nature that involves the human body, or bodily actions or functions.
The activity referred to in paragraph (c) need not involve physical contact between people.
474.29 Defences to offences against section 474.26 or 474.27
(1) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against section 474.26 or 474.27 that the defendant believed at the time the communication was transmitted that the recipient was not under 16 years of age.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this section, see subsection 13.3(3).
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection 474.26(2) or (3) or 474.27(2) or (3) that the defendant believed at the time the communication was transmitted that the other person referred to in paragraph 474.26(2)(b) or (3)(e) or 474.27(2)(c) or (3)(f) was not at least 18 years of age.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this section, see subsection 13.3(3).
(3) In determining whether the defendant had the belief referred to in subsection (1) or (2), the jury may take into account whether the alleged belief was reasonable in the circumstances.
474.30 Defences for NRS employees and emergency call persons
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against a provision of this Subdivision in relation to particular conduct if the person:
(a) is an employee of the NRS provider; and
(b) engages in the conduct in good faith in the course of the person's duties as such an employee.
(2) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against a provision of this Subdivision in relation to particular conduct if the person:
(a) is an emergency call person; and
(b) engages in the conduct in good faith in the course of the person's duties as such an emergency call person.
Division 475 - Miscellaneous
475.1 Saving of other laws
(1) This Part is not intended to exclude or limit the operation of any other law of the Commonwealth or any law of a State or Territory.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), a provision in this Part to the effect that a person is not criminally responsible for an offence against a provision of this Part in relation to particular conduct does not make the conduct lawful if it would otherwise be unlawful under the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
475.2 Geographical jurisdiction
Section 15.1 (extended geographical jurisdiction - category A) applies to each offence against this Part.