{"id":"a-1932-3","name":"City of Canberra Arms Act 1932","slug":"city-of-canberra-arms-act-1932","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"3 of 1932","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":23242,"registerId":"act-a-1932-3-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"City of Canberra Arms Act 1932","content":"Australian Capital Territory\nCity of Canberra Arms Act 1932\nA1932-3\nRepublication No 4\nEffective: 12 April 2007\nRepublication date: 12 April 2007\nLast amendment made by A2007-3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the City of Canberra Arms Act 1932 (including any amendment made\nunder the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 12 April 2007. It\nalso includes any amendment, repeal or expiry affecting the republished law to 12 April 2007.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the\nACT legislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made\nby an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117).\nThe changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law\ninto line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced or is affected by an uncommenced\namendment, the symbol U appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the\nuncommenced provision or amendment appears only in the last endnote.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol M\nappears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying provision appears\nin the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see Legislation Act 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nThe value of a penalty unit for an offence against this republished law at the republication date\nis—\n(a) if the person charged is an individual—$100; or\n(b) if the person charged is a corporation—$500.\n\nR4\n12/04/07\nCity of Canberra Arms Act 1932\nEffective: 12/04/07\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nCity of Canberra Arms Act 1932\nContents\nPage\n1 Name of Act 2\n2 Dictionary 2\n3 Notes 2\n4 Meaning of City of Canberra Arms 2\n5 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc 3\n6 Unauthorised use of City of Canberra Arms 3\nDictionary 4\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 5\n2 Abbreviation key 5\n3 Legislation history 6\n4 Amendment history 7\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 City of Canberra Arms Act 1932\nEffective: 12/04/07\nR4\n12/04/07\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications 7\n\nR4\n12/04/07\nCity of Canberra Arms Act 1932\nEffective: 12/04/07\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nCity of Canberra Arms Act 1932\nAn Act for the protection of the arms of the City of Canberra\n\nSection 1\npage 2 City of Canberra Arms Act 1932\nEffective: 12/04/07\nR4\n12/04/07\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n1 Name of Act\nThis Act is the City of Canberra Arms Act 1932.\n2 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this\nAct, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other terms\ndefined elsewhere in this Act.\nFor example, the signpost definition ‘City of Canberra Arms—see\nsection 4.’ means that the term ‘City of Canberra Arms’ is defined in\nthat section.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act,\nprovides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see\nLegislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n3 Notes\nA note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of\nnotes.\n4 Meaning of City of Canberra Arms\nIn this Act:\nCity of Canberra Arms means the Arms and Crest of the City of\nCanberra granted by royal warrant to the Federal Capital\nCommissioners, Australia, appointed under the Seat of Government\n(Administration) Act 1924 (Cwlth), and their successors in their\ncorporate capacity, and includes the Supporters to those Arms.\n\nSection 5\nR4\n12/04/07\nCity of Canberra Arms Act 1932\nEffective: 12/04/07\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc\nOther legislation applies in relation to offences against this Act.\nNote 1 Criminal Code\nThe Criminal Code, ch 2 applies to all offences against this Act (see\nCode, pt 2.1).\nThe chapter sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility\n(including burdens of proof and general defences), and defines terms\nused for offences to which the Code applies (eg conduct, intention,\nrecklessness and strict liability).\nNote 2 Penalty units\nThe Legislation Act, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties\nthat are expressed in penalty units.\n6 Unauthorised use of City of Canberra Arms\n(1) A person commits an offence if the person uses in relation to any\ntrade, business, calling or profession—\n(a) the City of Canberra Arms; or\n(b) arms or a device or design that is likely to be taken to be the\nCity of Canberra Arms.\nMaximum penalty: 30 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n(3) This section does not apply in relation to a use authorised by the\nMinister.\n(4) If, in a prosecution for an offence against this section, it is proved\nthat the City of Canberra Arms or the other arms, device or design\nwas displayed on any goods manufactured, produced, sold or\noffered for sale by the defendant, it is presumed, unless the contrary\nis proved, that the defendant used it in relation to a trade, business,\ncalling or profession.\n\nDictionary\npage 4 City of Canberra Arms Act 1932\nEffective: 12/04/07\nR4\n12/04/07\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 2)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis Act.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:\n Minister (see s 162)\n penalty unit (see s 133).\nCity of Canberra Arms—see section 4.\n\nEndnotes\nAbout the endnotes 1\nR4\n12/04/07\nCity of Canberra Arms Act 1932\nEffective: 12/04/07\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished\nlaw but are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws and expiries are listed in the legislation history and\nthe amendment history. These details are underlined. Uncommenced provisions\nand amendments are not included in the republished law but are set out in the last\nendnote.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nam = amended ord = ordinance\namdt = amendment orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\ncl = clause pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\ndict = dictionary (prev...) = previously\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative pt = part\nAssembly r = rule/subrule\ndiv = division reg = regulation/subregulation\nexp = expires/expired renum = renumbered\nGaz = Gazette reloc = relocated\nhdg = heading R[X] = Republication No\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 RI = reissue\nins = inserted/added s = section/subsection\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 sch = schedule\nLR = legislation register sdiv = subdivision\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 sub = substituted\nmod = modified/modification SL = Subordinate Law\no = order underlining = whole or part not commenced\nom = omitted/repealed or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 6 City of Canberra Arms Act 1932\nEffective: 12/04/07\nR4\n12/04/07\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nThis Act was originally a Commonwealth ordinance—the City of Canberra\nOrdinance 1932 Ord1932-3 (Cwlth).\nThe Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cwlth), s 34 (4)\nconverted most former Commonwealth ordinances in force in the ACT into ACT\nenactments. This allowed the ACT Legislative Assembly to amend and repeal the\nlaws. This Act was converted into an ACT enactment on 11 May 1989 (self-\ngovernment day).\nAs with most ordinances in force in the ACT, the name was changed from\nOrdinance to Act by the Self-Government (Citation of Laws) Act 1989 A1989-21,\ns 5 on 11 May 1989 (self-government day).\nBefore 11 May 1989, ordinances commenced on their notification day unless\notherwise stated (see Seat of Government (Administration) Act 1910 (Cwlth),\ns 12).\nLegislation before becoming Territory enactment\nCity of Canberra Arms Act 1932 A1932-3\nnotified 11 February 1932\ncommenced 11 February 1932\nas amended by\nOrdinances Revision (Decimal Currency) Ordinance 1966 Ord1966-19\nnotified 23 December 1966\ncommenced 23 December 1966\nLegislation after becoming Territory enactment\nStatute Law Revision (Penalties) Act 1998 A1998-54 sch\nnotified 27 November 1998 (Gaz 1998 No S207)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 27 November 1998 (s 2 (1))\nsch commenced 9 December 1998 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1998 No 49)\nLegislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 61\nnotified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)\npt 61 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001 No S65)\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR4\n12/04/07\nCity of Canberra Arms Act 1932\nEffective: 12/04/07\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nCriminal Code Harmonisation Act 2005 A2005-54 sch 1 pt 1.12\nnotified LR 27 October 2005\ns 1, s 2 commenced 27 October 2005 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.12 commenced 24 November 2005 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2007 A2007-3 sch 3 pt 3.16\nnotified LR 22 March 2007\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 1 July 2006 (LA s 75 (2))\nsch 3 pt 3.16 commenced 12 April 2007 (s 2 (1))\n4 Amendment history\nDictionary\ns 2 om A2001-44 amdt 1.719\nins A2007-3 amdt 3.68\nNotes\ns 3 sub A2007-3 amdt 3.68\nMeaning of City of Canberra Arms\ns 4 am Ord1966-19; A1998-54 sch\nsub A2005-54 amdt 1.76; A2007-3 amdt 3.68\nOffences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc\ns 5 ins A2005-54 amdt 1.76\nUnauthorised use of City of Canberra Arms\ns 6 ins A2005-54 amdt 1.76\nDictionary\ndict ins A2007-3 amdt 3.69\ndef City of Canberra Arms ins A2007-3 amdt 3.69\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications\nare marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n1 Ord1966-19 31 May 1991\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 8 City of Canberra Arms Act 1932\nEffective: 12/04/07\nR4\n12/04/07\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n2 A2001-44 16 July 2002\n3 A2005-54 24 November 2005\n© Australian Capital Territory 2007","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: protecting the City of Canberra's coat of arms from unauthorised commercial use. While it has been modernised over time (converted from a Commonwealth ordinance to an ACT Act, updated for decimal currency, and harmonised with the Criminal Code), the substantive scope has not expanded beyond heraldic protection."},"complexity_factors":["Very short statute—only 6 operative sections plus a dictionary","Single defined term ('City of Canberra Arms') with a straightforward definition","Only one offence provision (section 6) with simple elements","Minimal cross-referencing—only references to the Criminal Code and Legislation Act for standard definitions","No nested exceptions or complex conditional logic; only one exemption (Ministerial authorisation in s 6(3))","Straightforward strict liability offence with a single presumption (s 6(4))"],"plain_english_summary":"This law makes the City of Canberra’s official coat of arms (the arms, crest and supporters granted in 1928) off‑limits for commercial or professional use without permission, creating a criminal offence with strict liability and a maximum fine of 30 penalty units. The Minister may authorise specific uses.\n\nIt primarily affects businesses, traders, manufacturers and sellers in the ACT, preventing commercial misuse and protecting the civic dignity of the arms."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act’s core scope—prohibiting unauthorised commercial use of the City of Canberra Arms—remains unchanged. Later amendments modernised form and operation (conversion to penalty units; application of the Criminal Code (s5); insertion of the strict‑liability offence, presumption and ministerial authorisation (s6); and updated definitions (s4/dictionary)) but did not expand or narrow the substantive prohibition."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose statute with a clear central prohibition (section 6).","Interplay with general criminal law: offences are subject to the Criminal Code’s general principles (section 5), introducing external concepts (intent, defences).","Strict liability classification for the offence (section 6(2)), which shifts evidential and legal burdens.","Ministerial discretion to authorise use (section 6(3)), creating an administrative exemption.","Evidential presumption that display on goods implies commercial use unless rebutted (section 6(4)), affecting evidentiary strategy in prosecutions.","Penalty expressed via penalty units and linked to Legislation Act machinery (penalty-unit regime noted in Act), requiring cross-reference to calculate fines.","Definitions locate the protected device in a historical grant and include Supporters (section 4 and dictionary), tying coverage to a specific heraldic grant."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act prohibits using the City of Canberra Arms (the royal-granted Arms and Supporters) in connection with any trade, business, calling or profession unless the Minister authorises it. It creates a strict‑liability offence carrying a maximum fine (expressed in penalty units) and a legal presumption that displaying the Arms on goods indicates commercial use. Who pays: the person or company using the Arms faces the penalty. Who decides: the Minister can authorise uses. The rule mechanically prevents unauthorised commercial exploitation of the Arms."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/city-of-canberra-arms-act-1932","history":"/api/acts/city-of-canberra-arms-act-1932/history","analysis":"/api/acts/city-of-canberra-arms-act-1932/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/city-of-canberra-arms-act-1932/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/city-of-canberra-arms-act-1932/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/city-of-canberra-arms-act-1932/documents"}}