Tasmania’s Parliament has passed Michael Ferguson MP’s Police Offences Amendment (Increased Penalties for Damage to Tasmanian War Memorials) Bill 2026.

The Bill increases penalties for people convicted of interfering with war memorials and war memorial areas. It follows concern about vandalism of memorials in Tasmania and was developed with input and support from RSL Tasmania.

The offence itself has not changed. The Bill instead strengthens the penalties and the requirement for offenders to make amends for the damage they cause.

The new laws include:

• A minimum fine of 25 penalty units, currently about $5,000.
• A maximum fine of 500 penalty units, currently about $100,000.
• A maximum prison term of three years, up from one year.
• The option for courts to order community service in the community where the offence occurred.
• Mandatory compensation for damage caused to a memorial.

Michael Ferguson said it was fitting that the legislation passed on Vietnam Veterans Day, the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

“Today, I know that we all want to honour those who did not return, those who did return but carried the consequences of their service with them, and the families who shared that burden.”

“I felt it was especially fitting that, on this day, the House is being asked to take the final steps in legislation whose very purpose is to strengthen the protection of the places where we remember and honour their service and sacrifice.”

Mr Ferguson said he would have preferred the original proposed maximum prison term of seven years. However, he said the amended Bill still delivers meaningful reform.

“The bill before us still substantially strengthens the penalties, retains the minimum financial consequence, provides for restorative community service, and ensures that those responsible for damage are brought within the mandatory compensation framework.”

“Damage war memorials and you will face the most comprehensive legal response in Australia.”

The Bill does not affect the option of prosecuting more serious conduct under Tasmania’s Criminal Code, where the circumstances justify an indictable charge.

Mr Ferguson thanked RSL Tasmania and other ex-service organisations, as well as members across both Houses of Parliament who supported the legislation.

He said the reform was prompted in part by the vandalism of the St Helens war memorial, and by the community’s response to it.

“This bill has never been about politicians or politics. It is about what our country believes, and what our state believes, about the men and women who have served this country.”

“The least we can do as living civilians in our own country is to honour that memory and never allow that remembrance to pass from our daily life.”

Lest we forget.