{"id":"BILL-QLD-4277","name":"Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Bill 2026","slug":"expanding-adult-crime-adult-time-and-taking-a-strong-stance-on-drugs-and-anti-social-behaviour-amendment-bill-2026","collection":"bill","jurisdiction":"qld","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":"2026-01-01","administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":446070,"registerId":"BILL-QLD-4277:current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-01-01","status":"in_force","reasons":null,"registeredAt":"2026-05-06T12:45:09.398Z"},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0001","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 1","content":"# Expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Bill 2026\n\nQueensland\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult\nTime and Taking a Strong\nStance on Drugs and Anti-\nSocial Behaviour Amendment\nBill 2026\n\nQueensland\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and\nTaking a Strong Stance on Drugs and\nAnti-Social Behaviour Amendment Bill\n2026\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Short title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8\n2 Commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8\nPart 2 Amendment of Drugs Misuse Act 1986\n3 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8\n4 Amendment of s 4 (Definitions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8\n5 Insertion of new s 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9\n15 Minor possession offence is infringement notice offence 9\n6 Amendment of s 122A (Particular proceedings for minor drugs offences)\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11\n7 Amendment of s 122B (Provision of information to court) . . . . . . 12\n8 Replacement of s 122C (Further consideration of charge of minor drugs\noffence) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12\n122C Further consideration of charge of minor cannabis offence or\nminor drug offence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12\n9 Insertion of new pt 7, div 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13\nDivision 12 Transitional provision for Expanding Adult Crime, Adult\nTime and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-\nSocial Behaviour Amendment Act 2026\n150 Current orders under s 122A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13\nPart 3 Amendment of Drugs Misuse Regulation 1987\n10 Regulation amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14\n11 Amendment of sch 2 (Dangerous drugs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14\n12 Amendment of sch 6 (Controlled substances) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14\n\nContents\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 2\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n13 Amendment of sch 8A (Gross weight of relevant substances for ss 9A,\n9B, 9C and 9D of Act) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15\nPart 4 Amendment of Penalties and Sentences Act 1992\n14 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15\n15 Amendment of s 15C (Meaning of eligible drug offender) . . . . . . 15\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n16 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16\n17 Amendment of s 39BA (Use of hand held scanner without warrant in\nrelevant places) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16\n18 Amendment of s 41 (Prescribed circumstances for requiring name and\naddress) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16\n19 Amendment of s 44 (Application of pt 5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17\n20 Amendment of s 46 (When power applies to behaviour) . . . . . . 17\n21 Amendment of s 47 (When power applies to a person’s presence) 17\n22 Amendment of s 48 (Direction may be given to person) . . . . . . . 18\n23 Omission of s 49 (Review) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18\n24 Replacement of ch 14, pt 4, div 5 (Additional case—minor drugs offence)\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19\nDivision 5 Additional case—drug offences\nSubdivision 1 Minor cannabis offences\n378A Meaning of minor cannabis offence . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19\n378B Application of subdivision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19\n378C Offer to complete drug diversion program . . . . . . . . . 20\n378D Cannabis diversion agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21\n378E Completion of drug diversion program . . . . . . . . . . . 22\nSubdivision 2 Minor drug offences\n378F Meaning of minor drug offence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23\n378G Application of subdivision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23\n378H Information notice about option to complete drug diversion\nprogram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25\n378I Election to complete drug diversion program . . . . . . 26\n378J Forfeiture of drug or medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26\n378K Information sharing about participation in drug diversion\nprogram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26\n378L Release of arrested person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27\nSubdivision 3 Drug diversion programs\n378M Provision or approval of programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28\n\nContents\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 3\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n378N Notice of completion of program under sdiv 1 . . . . . . 28\n378O Notice of completion of program under sdiv 2 . . . . . . 28\n25 Amendment of s 380 (When arrest of child may be discontinued) 29\n26 Amendment of s 394 (Duty of police officer receiving custody of person\narrested for offence) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30\n27 Amendment of s 602A (Definitions for pt 5A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30\n28 Amendment of s 602B (What is a police banning notice) . . . . . . 31\n29 Replacement of s 602C (Police officer may give initial police banning\nnotice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31\n602C Police officer may give initial police banning notice . 31\n30 Amendment of s 602Q (Offence to contravene notice) . . . . . . . . 33\n31 Amendment of s 633 (Safeguards for oral directions or requirements—\npolice officers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35\n32 Insertion of new s 808D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35\n808D Designated business and community precincts . . . . 35\n33 Insertion of new ch 24, pt 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37\nPart 29 Transitional provisions for Expanding Adult Crime,\nAdult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and\nAnti-Social Behaviour Amendment Act 2026\n902 Definitions for part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37\n903 Application of new ch 14, pt 4, div 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37\n904 Drug diversion warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38\n905 Offers to participate in drug diversion assessment programs\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38\n906 Drug diversion agreements under former s 379AB . . 38\n907 Approved programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39\n34 Amendment of sch 6 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39\nPart 6 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Regulation 2012\n35 Regulation amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40\n36 Amendment of s 20H (Prescribed quantity for minor drug offences—Act,\ns 378B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40\n37 Amendment of sch 1B (Prescribed quantity of dangerous drugs, S4\nmedicines and S8 medicines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40\nPart 7 Amendment of State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999\n38 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41\n39 Amendment of s 5 (Act has limited application to children) . . . . . 41\n40 Amendment of s 15 (Infringement notices) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41\n41 Amendment of s 22 (Ways alleged offender may deal with infringement\n\nContents\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 4\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\nnotice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41\n42 Amendment of s 30 (Application to cancel infringement notice for mistake\nof fact) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42\n43 Insertion of new pt 3, div 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42\nDivision 5 Minor drug offences\n32A Proceedings for particular minor drug offence . . . . . 42\n32B Drug diversion programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43\n44 Amendment of s 33 (Default by person served with infringement notice)\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43\n45 Amendment of s 35 (Effect of registration under this division) . . 45\n46 Insertion of new s 57A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45\n57A Issue of fresh infringement notice for minor drug offence 45\n47 Amendment of s 135 (Default certificate for infringement notice offence)\n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46\n48 Amendment of s 157 (Evidentiary provisions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46\n49 Amendment of sch 2 (Dictionary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46\nPart 8 Amendment of State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014\n50 Regulation amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47\n51 Amendment of sch 1 (Infringement notice offences and fines for\nnominated laws) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47\nPart 9 Amendment of Youth Justice Act 1992\n52 Act amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49\n53 Amendment of s 11 (Police officer to consider alternatives to proceeding\nagainst child) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49\n54 Amendment of s 68 (Infringement notices) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50\n55 Amendment of s 168 (Meaning of eligible child) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50\n56 Amendment of s 175A (Sentence orders—significant offences to which\nadult penalties apply) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51\n57 Amendment of s 176 (Sentence orders—other significant offences) 53\n58 Insertion of new pt 11, div 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53\nDivision 28 Transitional provisions for Expanding Adult Crime,\nAdult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and\nAnti-Social Behaviour Amendment Act 2026\n444 Application of s 175A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54\n445 Application of s 176 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54\nPart 10 Other amendments\n59 Legislation amended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54\nSchedule 1 Other amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55\n\nContents\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 5\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\nBail Act 1980 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55\nJustice and Other Information Disclosure Act 2008 . . . . . . . . . . 55\nPolice Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56\nState Penalties Enforcement Act 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56\nYouth Justice Act 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56\n\n2026\nA Bill\nfor\nAn Act to amend the Drugs Misuse Act 1986, the Drugs Misuse\nRegulation 1987, the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, the\nPolice Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, the Police Powers\nand Responsibilities Regulation 2012, the State Penalties\nEnforcement Act 1999, the State Penalties Enforcement\nRegulation 2014, the Youth Justice Act 1992 and the legislation\nmentioned in schedule 1 for particular purposes\n\nPage 8\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 1]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 1 Preliminary\nThe Parliament of Queensland enacts—\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Expanding Adult Crime, Adult\nTime and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Act 2026.\n2 Commencement\n(1) Part 9, other than sections 53 to 55, commences on the date of\nassent.\n(2) The remaining provisions of this Act commence on a day to\nbe fixed by proclamation.\nPart 2 Amendment of Drugs Misuse\nAct 1986\n3 Act amended\nThis part amends the Drugs Misuse Act 1986.\n4 Amendment of s 4 (Definitions)\nSection 4—\ninsert—\ndrug diversion program see the Police Powers\nand Responsibilities Act 2000, schedule 6.\n1\n2\nClause 3\n4\n5\n6\nClause 7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\nClause 14\n15\nClause 16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n\nPage 9\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 5]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Drugs Misuse Act 1986\n5 Insertion of new s 15\nAfter section 14—\ninsert—\n15 Minor possession offence is infringement\nnotice offence\n(1) This section applies in relation to an offence\nagainst section 9 committed by a person if—\n(a) the offence involves possessing not more\nthan the prescribed quantity of a dangerous\ndrug; and\n(b) the possession does not relate to an offence\nby the person against this Act involving\nproduction or supply of a dangerous drug or\ntrafficking in a dangerous drug; and\n(c) a police officer reasonably believes—\n(i) the person possessed the dangerous\ndrug for their personal use; and\n(ii) the person did not possess more than 1\ntype of prohibited drug or medicine;\nand\n(d) at the time of the offence—\n(i) the person has not committed another\nindictable offence in circumstances\nrelated to the offence; and\n(ii) the person has not previously been\nfound guilty of an offence against\nsection 5, 6, 8, 9 or 9D; and\n(iii) the person has not previously been\nserved with an infringement notice\nfor—\n(A) an offence against section 9; or\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n\nPage 10\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 5]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Drugs Misuse Act 1986\n(B) an offence against the Medicines\nand Poisons Act 2019, section\n34(1).\n(2) A regulation under the State Penalties\nEnforcement Act 1999 must prescribe the offence\nto be an offence to which that Act applies.\n(3) Subsection (2) applies despite the State Penalties\nEnforcement Act 1999, section 165(2).\n(4) A reference in subsection (1)(d)(ii) to having\npreviously been found guilty of an offence—\n(a) is a reference to having previously been\nfound guilty of the offence by a court, on a\nplea of guilty or otherwise, whether or not a\nconviction was recorded; and\n(b) includes a reference to having a spent\nconviction for the offence.\n(5) For subsection (1)(d)(iii), a person is taken to\nhave not previously been served with an\ninfringement notice for an offence if—\n(a) the infringement notice was withdrawn\nunder the State Penalties Enforcement Act\n1999, section 28; or\n(b) the matter of the offence was decided by a\ncourt and the person was found not guilty.\n(6) In this section—\ninfringement notice means an infringement\nnotice under the State Penalties Enforcement Act\n1999.\nprescribed quantity, of a dangerous drug, see the\nPolice Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000,\nsection 378F.\nprohibited drug or medicine, in relation to a\nperson, means a dangerous drug, S4 medicine or\nS8 medicine unlawfully possessed by the person.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n\nPage 11\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 6]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Drugs Misuse Act 1986\nS4 medicine see the Medicines and Poisons Act\n2019, section 11(1)(c).\nS8 medicine see the Medicines and Poisons Act\n2019, section 11(1)(d).\n6 Amendment of s 122A (Particular proceedings for minor\ndrugs offences)\n(1) Section 122A, heading, ‘minor drugs offences’—\nomit, insert—\nminor cannabis offence or minor drug offence\n(2) Section 122A(1) to (4)—\nomit, insert—\n(1) This section applies to a proceeding for an offence\nagainst this Act if—\n(a) the offence is a minor cannabis offence as\ndefined in the Police Powers and\nResponsibilities Act 2000, section 378A;\nand\n(b) the person charged with the offence—\n(i) is a person mentioned in section\n378B(1)(b) to (e) of that Act; and\n(ii) pleads guilty to the offence.\n(2) This section also applies to a proceeding for an\noffence against this Act if—\n(a) the offence is a minor drug offence as\ndefined in the Police Powers and\nResponsibilities Act 2000, section 378F; and\n(b) the person charged with the offence—\n(i) is a person mentioned in section\n378G(1)(b) to (e) of that Act; and\n(ii) pleads guilty to the offence.\n(3) The court may order the person to complete a drug\n1\n2\n3\n4\nClause 5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0002","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 2","content":"Page 12\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 7]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Drugs Misuse Act 1986\ndiversion program as directed by a police officer.\n(4) For subsections (1) and (2), a reference in the\nPolice Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000,\nsection 378B or 378G to a reasonable belief of a\npolice officer is taken to be a reference to a belief\nof the court.\n(3) Section 122A(5) and (6), ‘assessment’—\nomit.\n7 Amendment of s 122B (Provision of information to court)\n(1) Section 122B(1) and (2), ‘assessment’—\nomit.\n(2) Section 122B(4), definition prosecuting authority, ‘minor\ndrugs offence’—\nomit, insert—\nminor cannabis offence or minor drug offence\n8 Replacement of s 122C (Further consideration of charge\nof minor drugs offence)\nSection 122C—\nomit, insert—\n122C Further consideration of charge of minor\ncannabis offence or minor drug offence\n(1) This section applies to the court after it has\nconsidered a report filed under section 122B.\n(2) If the court is satisfied the defendant completed\nthe drug diversion program as required under\nsection 122A, the court must strike out the\nproceeding for the charge of the minor cannabis\noffence or minor drug offence.\n(3) If the court is satisfied the defendant did not\ncomplete the drug diversion program as required\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\nClause 9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\nClause 16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n\nPage 13\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 9]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 2 Amendment of Drugs Misuse Act 1986\nunder section 122A, the court may continue to\nhear the charge of the minor cannabis offence or\nminor drug offence and may make any order in\nrelation to the offence it considers appropriate.\n9 Insertion of new pt 7, div 12\nPart 7—\ninsert—\nDivision 12 Transitional provision for\nExpanding Adult Crime,\nAdult Time and Taking a\nStrong Stance on Drugs\nand Anti-Social Behaviour\nAmendment Act 2026\n150 Current orders under s 122A\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) before the commencement, the court made\nan order under former section 122A(3) (the\ncurrent order) that a person participate in,\nand complete, a drug diversion assessment\nprogram as directed by a police officer; and\n(b) the person did not complete the program as\ndirected by a police officer before the\ncommencement.\n(2) The current order continues in effect as if it were\nmade under new section 122A(3).\n(3) A reference in this Act to a drug diversion\nprogram includes a reference to the drug diversion\nassessment program required to be completed\nunder the current order.\n(4) A reference in this Act to a minor cannabis\n1\n2\n3\n4\nClause 5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n\nPage 14\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 10]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 3 Amendment of Drugs Misuse Regulation 1987\noffence or minor drug offence includes a\nreference to the offence in relation to which the\ncurrent order was made.\n(5) In this section—\nformer section 122A(3) means section 122A(3)\nas in force from time to time before the\ncommencement.\nnew section 122A(3) means section 122A(3) as in\nforce from the commencement.\nPart 3 Amendment of Drugs Misuse\nRegulation 1987\n10 Regulation amended\nThis part amends the Drugs Misuse Regulation 1987.\n11 Amendment of sch 2 (Dangerous drugs)\n(1) Schedule 2—\ninsert—\n1,4-Butanediol\n(2) Schedule 2—\ninsert—\n4-Hydroxybutanoic acid lactone\n12 Amendment of sch 6 (Controlled substances)\n(1) Schedule 6, entry for 1,4-Butanediol—\nomit.\n(2) Schedule 6, entry for 4-Hydroxybutanoic acid lactone—\nomit.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\nClause 12\n13\nClause 14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\nClause 21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n\nPage 15\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 13]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 4 Amendment of Penalties and Sentences Act 1992\n13 Amendment of sch 8A (Gross weight of relevant\nsubstances for ss 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D of Act)\n(1) Schedule 8A, part 1, entry for 1,4-Butanediol—\nomit.\n(2) Schedule 8A, part 1, entry for 4-Hydroxybutanoic acid\nlactone—\nomit.\nPart 4 Amendment of Penalties and\nSentences Act 1992\n14 Act amended\nThis part amends the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992.\n15 Amendment of s 15C (Meaning of eligible drug offender)\n(1) Section 15C(4)(a)(ii)—\nomit, insert—\n(ii) the person has both—\n(A) signed a cannabis diversion agreement\nunder the Police Powers and\nResponsibilities Act 2000, section\n378D; and\n(B) been given an information notice under\nthe Police Powers and Responsibilities\nAct 2000, section 378H; or\n(iia) the person has, at any time before the\ncommencement of the Expanding Adult\nCrime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong\nStance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour\nAmendment Act 2026, section 24, agreed to\nan offer under the Police Powers and\nResponsibilities Act 2000, section 379AA,\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\nClause 10\n11\nClause 12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 16\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 16]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\nas in force at that time, to participate in a\ndrug diversion assessment program; or\n(2) Section 15C(4)(a)(iia) and (iii)—\nrenumber as section 15C(4)(a)(iii) and (iv).\n(3) Section 15C(5), definition prescribed diversion alternative,\n‘subsection (4)(a)(i) or (ii)’—\nomit, insert—\nsubsection (4)(a)(i), (ii) or (iii)\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers\nand Responsibilities Act 2000\n16 Act amended\nThis part amends the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act\n2000.\nNote—\nSee also the amendments in schedule 1.\n17 Amendment of s 39BA (Use of hand held scanner without\nwarrant in relevant places)\nSection 39BA(1)—\ninsert—\n(h) a designated business and community\nprecinct.\n18 Amendment of s 41 (Prescribed circumstances for\nrequiring name and address)\nSection 41—\ninsert—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\nClause 11\n12\n13\n14\n15\nClause 16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\nClause 22\n23\n24\n25\n\nPage 17\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 19]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n(p) a police officer is about to give, is giving, or\nhas given a person a move on direction.\n19 Amendment of s 44 (Application of pt 5)\nSection 44(a), ‘precinct;’—\nomit, insert—\nprecinct or designated business and community\nprecinct;\n20 Amendment of s 46 (When power applies to behaviour)\nSection 46(2) and (2A)—\nomit, insert—\n(2) If the regulated place is a public place, subsection\n(1) applies in relation to a person at or near the\npublic place only if the person’s behaviour has or\nhad the effect mentioned in subsection (1)(a), (b),\n(c) or (d) in—\n(a) for a public place in a safe night precinct or\ndesignated business and community\nprecinct—any public place located in the\nprecinct; or\n(b) for any other public place—that part of the\npublic place at or near where the person then\nis.\n21 Amendment of s 47 (When power applies to a person’s\npresence)\nSection 47(2) and (2A)—\nomit, insert—\n(2) If the regulated place is a public place, subsection\n(1) applies in relation to a person at or near the\npublic place only if the person’s presence has or\n1\n2\nClause 3\n4\n5\n6\n7\nClause 8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\nClause 23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 18\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 22]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\nhad the effect mentioned in subsection (1)(a), (b)\nor (c) in—\n(a) for a public place in a safe night precinct or\ndesignated business and community\nprecinct—any public place located in the\nprecinct; or\n(b) for any other public place—that part of the\npublic place at or near where the person then\nis.\n22 Amendment of s 48 (Direction may be given to person)\n(1) Section 48—\ninsert—\n(1A) Without limiting subsection (1), a police officer\nmay give to a person or group of persons doing a\nrelevant act in a regulated place that is a\ndesignated business and community precinct a\ndirection to leave and not return or be within the\nprecinct for a stated period of not more than 24\nhours.\n(2) Section 48(2), ‘subsection (1)’—\nomit, insert—\nsubsection (1) or (2)\n(3) Section 48(2), example ‘subsection (2)(c)’—\nomit, insert—\nsubsection (3)(c)\n(4) Section 48(1A) to (4)—\nrenumber as section 48(2) to (5).\n23 Omission of s 49 (Review)\nSection 49—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\nClause 10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\nClause 28\n29\n\nPage 19\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 24]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\nomit.\n24 Replacement of ch 14, pt 4, div 5 (Additional case—minor\ndrugs offence)\nChapter 14, part 4, division 5—\nomit, insert—\nDivision 5 Additional case—drug\noffences\nSubdivision 1 Minor cannabis offences\n378A Meaning of minor cannabis offence\nIn this subdivision—\nminor cannabis offence—\n(a) means an offence against the Drugs Misuse\nAct 1986, section 9 where the dangerous\ndrug that is possessed is not more than 50g\nof cannabis; but\n(b) does not include an offence mentioned in\nparagraph (a) where the possession relates\nto an offence by the same person against the\nDrugs Misuse Act 1986 involving\nproduction or supply of a dangerous drug or\ntrafficking in a dangerous drug.\n378B Application of subdivision\n(1) This subdivision applies if—\n(a) a person is arrested for, or is being\nquestioned by a police officer about, a minor\ncannabis offence; and\n1\nClause 2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n\nPage 20\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 24]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n(b) the person has not committed another\nindictable offence in circumstances related\nto the minor cannabis offence; and\n(c) the person has not previously been found\nguilty of an offence against the Drugs\nMisuse Act 1986, section 5, 6, 8, 9 or 9D;\nand\n(d) a police officer reasonably believes the\nperson possessed the cannabis that is the\nsubject of the minor cannabis offence for\ntheir personal use; and\n(e) the person has not previously been offered\nthe opportunity to complete a drug diversion\nprogram under section 378C.\nNote—\nIt does not matter if the person has previously had\nan opportunity to complete a drug diversion\nprogram under subdivision 2.\n(2) For subsection (1)(c), a reference to a person who\nhas previously been found guilty of an offence\nincludes a reference to a person with a spent\nconviction for the offence.\n378C Offer to complete drug diversion program\n(1) If the person is an adult, a police officer must offer\nthe person the opportunity to complete a drug\ndiversion program.\n(2) If the person is a child, a police officer may offer\nthe child the opportunity to complete a drug\ndiversion program.\nNote—\nSee the Youth Justice Act 1992, section 11 in relation to\nthe other possible actions a police officer must consider\nbefore starting a proceeding against the child for the\noffence.\n(3) A police officer may make the offer at any time\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n35\n\nPage 21\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 24]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\nbefore the person appears before a court to answer\na charge of the minor cannabis offence.\n(4) When making the offer, the police officer must\nexplain the nature and effect of the drug diversion\nprogram—\n(a) to the person; and\n(b) if a support person is present when the offer\nis made—to the support person.\n378D Cannabis diversion agreement\n(1) This section applies if the person agrees to an\noffer made under section 378C.\n(2) The person must sign an agreement (a cannabis\ndiversion agreement) to complete a drug\ndiversion program.\n(3) The cannabis diversion agreement must include a\nprovision authorising a relevant entity to disclose,\nto another relevant entity, personal information\nabout the person necessary to facilitate or monitor\nthe person’s participation in the drug diversion\nprogram, including—\n(a) information about the person’s agreement to\ncomplete the program; and\n(b) information about the person’s completion\nof, or failure to complete, the program.\n(4) A police officer must—\n(a) give the person a written requirement to\ncomplete a drug diversion program in\naccordance with the cannabis diversion\nagreement; and\n(b) inform the person that failure to comply\nwith the requirement is an offence against\nsection 791.\n(5) Also, the police officer must give the chief\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n\nPage 22\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 24]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\nexecutive (health), or a person or organisation\nnominated by the chief executive (health) for this\nsection, a copy of the cannabis diversion\nagreement.\n(6) On the signing of the cannabis diversion\nagreement, the cannabis that is the subject of the\nminor cannabis offence is forfeited to the State.\n(7) If the person has been arrested for the minor\ncannabis offence, it is the duty of a police officer\nto release the person at the earliest reasonable\nopportunity after the person has signed a cannabis\ndiversion agreement and been given a written\nrequirement under subsection (4).\n(8) In this section—\npersonal information, about a person, means—\n(a) information that identifies, or is likely to\nidentify, the person; or\n(b) information about the person’s affairs.\nrelevant entity, for a drug diversion program,\nmeans—\n(a) the commissioner; or\n(b) an entity involved in providing or\nadministering the program.\n378E Completion of drug diversion program\nIf the person completes a drug diversion program\nin accordance with the cannabis diversion\nagreement, a police officer must not start, and if\nstarted must discontinue, a proceeding against the\nperson for the minor cannabis offence.\nSubdivision 2 Minor drug offences\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n\nPage 23\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 24]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n378F Meaning of minor drug offence\n(1) In this subdivision—\nminor drug offence—\n(a) means—\n(i) an offence against the Drugs Misuse\nAct 1986, section 9 involving\npossessing not more than the\nprescribed quantity of a dangerous\ndrug; or\n(ii) an offence against the Medicines and\nPoisons Act 2019, section 34(1)\ninvolving possessing not more than the\nprescribed quantity of an S4 or S8\nmedicine; but\n(b) does not include an offence mentioned in\nparagraph (a)(i) or (ii) if the possession\nrelates to—\n(i) an offence by the same person against\nthe Drugs Misuse Act 1986 involving\nproduction or supply of a dangerous\ndrug or trafficking in a dangerous drug;\nor\n(ii) an offence by the same person against\nthe Medicines and Poisons Act 2019\ninvolving dealing with, manufacturing\nor supplying an S4 or S8 medicine.\n(2) In this section—\nprescribed quantity, of a dangerous drug or S4 or\nS8 medicine, means a quantity of the drug or\nmedicine prescribed by regulation for this section.\n378G Application of subdivision\n(1) This subdivision applies if—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n\nPage 24\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 24]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n(a) a person is arrested for, or is being\nquestioned by a police officer about, a minor\ndrug offence; and\n(b) the person has not committed another\nindictable offence in circumstances related\nto the minor drug offence; and\n(c) the person has not previously been found\nguilty of an offence against the Drugs\nMisuse Act 1986, section 5, 6, 8, 9 or 9D;\nand\n(d) a police officer reasonably believes—\n(i) the person possessed the prohibited\ndrug or medicine that is the subject of\nthe minor drug offence for their\npersonal use; and\n(ii) the person did not possess more than 1\ntype of prohibited drug or medicine;\nand\n(e) the person has not previously been served\nwith an infringement notice for a minor drug\noffence; and\n(f) a police officer serves an infringement\nnotice on the person for the minor drug\noffence.\nNote—\nSee the Youth Justice Act 1992, section 11 in relation to\nthe possible actions a police officer must consider\nbefore starting a proceeding against a child for an\noffence.\n(2) For subsection (1)(c), a reference to a person who\nhas previously been found guilty of an offence\nincludes a reference to a person with a spent\nconviction for the offence.\n(3) For subsection (1)(e), a person is taken to have not\npreviously been served with an infringement\nnotice for a minor drug offence if—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n35\n36","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0003","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 3","content":"Page 25\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 24]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n(a) the infringement notice was withdrawn\nunder the State Penalties Enforcement Act\n1999, section 28; or\n(b) the matter of the offence was decided by a\ncourt and the person was found not guilty.\n(4) In this section—\nprohibited drug or medicine, in relation to a\nperson, means a dangerous drug or S4 or S8\nmedicine unlawfully possessed by the person.\n378H Information notice about option to complete\ndrug diversion program\n(1) When serving the infringement notice, the police\nofficer must also give the person a notice (an\ninformation notice) in the approved form\nstating—\n(a) that the person may complete a drug\ndiversion program instead of paying the fine\nfor the minor drug offence; and\n(b) how the person may elect to complete a drug\ndiversion program; and\n(c) that an election must be made within 28\ndays after the date of the infringement\nnotice; and\n(d) the period within which the person must\ncomplete a drug diversion program if they\nmake an election.\n(2) The information notice may be given to the\nperson in the same way, including by electronic\ncommunication, that the infringement notice may\nbe served on the person under the State Penalties\nEnforcement Act 1999.\n(3) If the police officer gives the information notice\nto the person in the same way and at the same time\nas the officer serves the infringement notice on\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n\nPage 26\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 24]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\nthe person, the information notice is taken to have\nbeen given to the person at the same time as the\ninfringement notice is taken to have been served\non the person under the State Penalties\nEnforcement Act 1999.\n(4) Failure to comply with subsection (1) does not\naffect the validity of the infringement notice.\n378I Election to complete drug diversion program\n(1) Within 28 days after the date of the infringement\nnotice, the person may, in the way stated in the\ninformation notice, elect to complete a drug\ndiversion program.\n(2) Subsection (1) applies subject to the State\nPenalties Enforcement Act 1999, section 22(3).\n378J Forfeiture of drug or medicine\n(1) The relevant drug or medicine is forfeited to the\nState at the time at which, under the State\nPenalties Enforcement Act 1999, the person may\nno longer elect to have the matter of the offence\ndecided in a Magistrates Court or in a proceeding\nfor the offence taken under the Drugs Misuse Act\n1986, whichever is relevant.\n(2) In this section—\nrelevant drug or medicine means the dangerous\ndrug or S4 or S8 medicine the subject of the minor\ndrug offence.\n378K Information sharing about participation in\ndrug diversion program\n(1) This section applies if, under section 378I, the\nperson elects to complete a drug diversion\nprogram.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n\nPage 27\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 24]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n(2) A relevant entity may disclose personal\ninformation mentioned in subsection (3) to\nanother relevant entity.\n(3) The information that may be disclosed—\n(a) is personal information about the person\nnecessary to facilitate or monitor the\nperson’s participation in the drug diversion\nprogram or take action under the State\nPenalties Enforcement Act 1999 in relation\nto the infringement notice; and\n(b) includes—\n(i) information about the person’s election\nto complete the program; and\n(ii) information about the person’s\ncompletion of, or failure to complete,\nthe program.\n(4) In this section—\npersonal information, about a person, means—\n(a) information that identifies, or is likely to\nidentify, the person; or\n(b) information about the person’s affairs.\nrelevant entity, for a person who elects to\ncomplete a drug diversion program, means—\n(a) the commissioner; or\n(b) the registrar under the State Penalties\nEnforcement Act 1999 or another entity with\nadministrative responsibilities relating to the\ninfringement notice given to the person; or\n(c) an entity involved in providing or\nadministering the program.\n378L Release of arrested person\nIf the person has been arrested for the minor drug\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n\nPage 28\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 24]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\noffence, it is the duty of a police officer to release\nthe person at the earliest reasonable opportunity\nafter the person is served with the infringement\nnotice and information notice.\nSubdivision 3 Drug diversion programs\n378M Provision or approval of programs\nThe chief executive (health) may provide, or\napprove a program provided by another entity to\nbe, a drug diversion program for this division.\n378N Notice of completion of program under sdiv 1\n(1) This section applies if a person agrees to complete\na drug diversion program under subdivision 1.\n(2) The entity providing the program must notify the\ncommissioner—\n(a) if the person completes the program within\nthe limitation period—as soon as practicable\nafter the person completes the program; or\n(b) if the person does not complete the program\nwithin the limitation period—as soon as\npracticable after the end of the limitation\nperiod.\n(3) In this section—\nlimitation period, for a person’s completion of a\ndrug diversion program, means the period within\nwhich the person must complete the program\nunder the person’s cannabis diversion agreement.\n378O Notice of completion of program under sdiv 2\n(1) This section applies if a person elects to complete\na drug diversion program under subdivision 2.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 29\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 25]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n(2) The entity providing the program must notify the\nadministering authority—\n(a) if the person completes the program within\nthe limitation period—as soon as practicable\nafter the person completes the program; or\n(b) if the person does not complete the program\nwithin the limitation period—as soon as\npracticable after the end of the limitation\nperiod.\n(3) In this section—\nadministering authority, in relation to a person\nserved with an infringement notice who elects to\ncomplete a drug diversion program, means the\nadministering authority under the State Penalties\nEnforcement Act 1999 for the infringement\nnotice.\nlimitation period, for a person’s completion of a\ndrug diversion program, means the period,\nmentioned in section 378H(1)(d), stated in the\ninformation notice given to the person.\n25 Amendment of s 380 (When arrest of child may be\ndiscontinued)\n(1) Section 380(7), ‘minor drugs offence’—\nomit, insert—\nrelevant drug offence\n(2) Section 380—\ninsert—\n(8) In this section—\ndrug utensil means a thing for use, or that has\nbeen used, for the administration, consumption or\nsmoking of a dangerous drug.\nminor drugs matter means—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\nClause 21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n\nPage 30\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 26]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n(a) a dangerous drug; or\n(b) an S4 or S8 medicine; or\n(c) a drug utensil.\nrelevant drug offence means—\n(a) a minor cannabis offence; or\n(b) a minor drug offence; or\n(c) an offence against the Drugs Misuse Act\n1986, section 10(1), (2), (4) or (4A) or\n10A(1)(a), (b) or (c) involving possessing a\ndrug utensil.\n26 Amendment of s 394 (Duty of police officer receiving\ncustody of person arrested for offence)\nSection 394(2)(d), ‘minor drugs offence’—\nomit, insert—\nminor cannabis offence or minor drug offence\n27 Amendment of s 602A (Definitions for pt 5A)\n(1) Section 602A, definition initial police banning notice—\nomit, insert—\ninitial police banning notice means a police\nbanning notice given to a person by a police\nofficer under section 602C.\n(2) Section 602A, definition relevant public place, paragraph (b),\n‘precinct;’—\nomit, insert—\nprecinct or designated business and community\nprecinct;\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\nClause 11\n12\n13\n14\n15\nClause 16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n\nPage 31\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 28]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n28 Amendment of s 602B (What is a police banning notice)\nSection 602B(1)(b), ‘precinct;’—\nomit, insert—\nprecinct or designated business and community\nprecinct;\n29 Replacement of s 602C (Police officer may give initial\npolice banning notice)\nSection 602C—\nomit, insert—\n602C Police officer may give initial police banning\nnotice\n(1) A police officer may give a police banning notice\nto a person if reasonably satisfied that giving the\nnotice is necessary because—\n(a) the person has behaved in a disorderly,\noffensive, threatening or violent way; and\nExamples of disorderly, offensive, threatening or\nviolent behaviour—\n• assaulting or threatening to assault a person\n• damaging property, attempting to damage\nproperty or threatening to damage property\n• possessing a knife in contravention of the\nWeapons Act 1990, section 51\n• stealing an item from a person or premises\n• taking a photograph of a person using a toilet\nfacility from under a cubicle door\n• urinating or wilfully exposing genitals in\ncontravention of the Summary Offences Act\n2005, section 7 or 9\n• using or possessing a dangerous drug\n• wearing or carrying an item in contravention\nof the Summary Offences Act 2005, section\n10C\n• using abusive or indecent language\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\nClause 6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n\nPage 32\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 29]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n(b) the person’s behaviour was at, or in the\nvicinity of, a relevant public place; and\n(c) the person’s ongoing presence, or presence\nin the immediate future, at the relevant\npublic place and any other place stated in\nthe notice, poses an unacceptable risk of—\n(i) causing violence at the places; or\n(ii) affecting the safety of other persons\nattending the places; or\n(iii) disrupting or interfering with the\npeaceful passage, or reasonable\nenjoyment of other persons, at the\nplaces.\n(2) Also, if a police banning notice relates to a\ndesignated business and community precinct, a\npolice officer may give the notice to a person if\nsatisfied that—\n(a) the person contravened a move on direction\napplying to the person in relation to the\ndesignated business and community\nprecinct; or\n(b) the person was given a move on direction in\nrelation to the designated business and\ncommunity precinct in the previous 7 days\nand—\n(i) section 46 applies to the person’s\ncurrent behaviour in relation to the\nprecinct; or\n(ii) section 47 applies to the person’s\ncurrent presence in relation to the\nprecinct.\n(3) However, a police officer (the issuing officer)\nholding a rank below that of sergeant must not\ngive a person a police banning notice unless a\npolice officer (the approving officer) holding the\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n35\n\nPage 33\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 30]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\nrank of sergeant or above approves the giving of\nthe notice to the person.\n(4) The approving officer may approve the issuing\nofficer giving a person a police banning notice\nunder subsection (1) or (2) if satisfied of the\nmatters mentioned in that subsection.\n(5) The approval may be sought and given verbally,\nincluding, for example, in person or by telephone,\nradio, internet or other similar facility.\n(6) If the person given the police banning notice\nunder subsection (1) or (2) is a child and it is\nreasonably practicable to do so, the issuing officer\nmust give a copy of the notice to—\n(a) for a child in the custody of the chief\nexecutive (child safety)—the chief\nexecutive (child safety); or\n(b) otherwise—the child’s parent or guardian.\n30 Amendment of s 602Q (Offence to contravene notice)\nSection 602Q—\ninsert—\n(2) Without limiting subsection (1), it is a reasonable\nexcuse for the person not to comply with the\npolice banning notice in relation to a relevant\npublic place if—\n(a) the person enters the place to undertake a\nnecessary task; and\n(b) it is impracticable for the person to\nundertake the necessary task outside of the\nplace; and\n(c) the person remains in the place only for the\nperiod necessary to undertake the necessary\ntask and then immediately leave the place.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\nClause 18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n\nPage 34\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 30]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n(3) In this section—\nnecessary task—\n(a) means any of the following—\n(i) receive medical treatment;\n(ii) comply with an obligation imposed by\nlaw;\n(iii) access a service provided by, or on\nbehalf of, a government;\n(iv) access a support service;\n(v) obtain food, medicine or petrol;\n(vi) use a banking service;\n(vii) access public transport;\n(viii)travel through a relevant public place to\naccess another place outside the\nrelevant public place; and\n(b) includes a task undertaken for the welfare of\na person or animal in the care of the person\nundertaking the task.\nobligation imposed by law includes—\n(a) an obligation imposed on a person by a\ncourt or tribunal, including, for example,\nany of the following—\n(i) a community based order within the\nmeaning of the Youth Justice Act 1992;\n(ii) a restorative justice process within the\nmeaning of the Youth Justice Act 1992;\n(iii) a community based sentence within the\nmeaning of the Community Based\nSentences (Interstate Transfer) Act\n2020; and\n(b) a requirement for a person to appear before\na court or tribunal; and\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n\nPage 35\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 31]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n(c) an obligation imposed on a person under an\nAct; and\n(d) for a person released on bail or parole—a\ncondition of that bail or parole.\nsupport service means a service provided by an\norganisation and intended to provide a person\nwith counselling, housing, protection or other\nassistance.\n31 Amendment of s 633 (Safeguards for oral directions or\nrequirements—police officers)\nSection 633—\ninsert—\n(4) Also, if the direction is a move on direction\nrelating to a designated business and community\nprecinct, the police officer must warn the person\nthat failing to comply with the direction may\nresult in the person being given a police banning\nnotice under section 602C.\n32 Insertion of new s 808D\nAfter section 808C—\ninsert—\n808D Designated business and community\nprecincts\n(1) A regulation may prescribe an area of the State to\nbe a designated business and community precinct.\nNote—\nA police officer may do the following in relation to a\ndesignated business and community precinct—\n• require a person to submit to the use of a hand held\nscanner under section 39BA\n• require a person to state the person’s name and\naddress under section 40\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\nClause 9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\nClause 19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0004","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 4","content":"Page 36\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 32]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n• give a person a move on direction under section 48\n• give particular persons a police banning notice\nunder section 602C\n(2) In recommending that the Governor in Council\nmake a regulation under subsection (1), the\nMinister must be satisfied that the regulation is\nnecessary to achieve 1 or more the following\npurposes—\n(a) enhance public safety or public amenity in\nthe area to be prescribed;\n(b) reduce anti-social behaviour occurring in\nthe area to be prescribed;\n(c) reduce or prevent disruption to businesses in\nthe area to be prescribed.\n(3) Before making a recommendation under\nsubsection (2), the Minister must consult with the\nlocal government for any local government area\nin which the proposed designated business and\ncommunity precinct is located.\n(4) The Minister must review each designated\nbusiness and community precinct to consider\nwhether prescribing the area continues to achieve\nthe purpose for which it was prescribed.\n(5) A review of a designated business and community\nprecinct must be started no later than 3 years after\nthe day—\n(a) the area is prescribed; and\n(b) a previous review of the designated business\nand community precinct conducted under\nthis section is completed.\n(6) If, after conducting a review of a designated\nbusiness and community precinct, the Minister is\nno longer satisfied that prescription of the area\nunder subsection (1) is necessary to achieve the\npurposes for which it was prescribed, the Minister\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n33\n34\n35\n\nPage 37\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 33]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\nmust recommend to the Governor in Council the\nmaking of a regulation to change or revoke the\nprescription.\n33 Insertion of new ch 24, pt 29\nChapter 24—\ninsert—\nPart 29 Transitional provisions\nfor Expanding Adult\nCrime, Adult Time and\nTaking a Strong Stance\non Drugs and\nAnti-Social Behaviour\nAmendment Act 2026\n902 Definitions for part\nIn this part—\nformer, in relation to a provision of this Act,\nmeans the provision as in force from time to time\nbefore the commencement of the transitional\nprovision in which the term is used.\nnew, in relation to a provision of this Act, means\nthe provision as in force from the commencement\nof the transitional provision in which the term is\nused.\ntransitional provision means a provision of this\npart.\n903 Application of new ch 14, pt 4, div 5\n(1) New chapter 14, part 4, division 5, subdivision 1\napplies in relation to a minor cannabis offence\nwhether it was committed before or after the\n1\n2\n3\nClause 4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 38\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 33]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\ncommencement.\n(2) New chapter 14, part 4, division 5, subdivision 2\napplies in relation to a minor drug offence\nwhether it was committed before or after the\ncommencement.\n(3) This section applies subject to section 905.\n904 Drug diversion warnings\n(1) This section applies if a person was given a drug\ndiversion warning under former section 378C\nbefore the commencement.\n(2) Despite the repeal of that section—\n(a) the drug diversion warning continues in\neffect; and\n(b) former section 378C(8) continues in effect\nin relation to the person.\n905 Offers to participate in drug diversion\nassessment programs\n(1) This section applies if, before the\ncommencement, a person was offered the\nopportunity to participate in a drug diversion\nassessment program under former section 379 or\nformer section 379AA.\n(2) New chapter 14, part 4, division 5, subdivisions 1\nand 2 do not apply to the person.\n906 Drug diversion agreements under former s\n379AB\n(1) This section applies if a person—\n(a) signed a drug diversion agreement before\nthe commencement under former section\n379AB; and\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n\nPage 39\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 34]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 5 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n(b) did not complete a drug diversion\nassessment program under the agreement\nbefore the commencement.\n(2) Despite the repeal of former section 379AB—\n(a) the agreement continues in effect; and\n(b) a requirement given under former section\n379AB(3) continues in effect.\n907 Approved programs\n(1) This section applies in relation to a program that,\nimmediately before the commencement, was a\ndrug diversion assessment program conducted\nwith the approval of the chief executive (health).\n(2) The program is taken to have been approved\nunder new section 378M.\n34 Amendment of sch 6 (Dictionary)\n(1) Schedule 6, definitions drug diversion agreement, drug\ndiversion assessment program, drug diversion warning, initial\npolice banning notice, minor drugs matter and minor drugs\noffence—\nomit.\n(2) Schedule 6—\ninsert—\ndesignated business and community precinct\nmeans an area prescribed to be a designated\nbusiness and community precinct under section\n808D.\ndrug diversion program means a program\nprovided or approved under section 378M.\ninitial police banning notice, for chapter 19, part\n5A, see section 602A.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\nClause 15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n\nPage 40\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 35]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 6 Amendment of Police Powers and Responsibilities Regulation 2012\nminor cannabis offence see section 378A.\nminor drug offence see section 378F.\nmove on direction means a direction given to a\nperson by a police officer under section 48(1) or\n(2).\n(3) Schedule 6, definition enforcement act, paragraph (k), ‘minor\ndrugs offence’—\nomit, insert—\nminor cannabis offence or minor drug offence\nPart 6 Amendment of Police Powers\nand Responsibilities\nRegulation 2012\n35 Regulation amended\nThis part amends the Police Powers and Responsibilities\nRegulation 2012.\n36 Amendment of s 20H (Prescribed quantity for minor drug\noffences—Act, s 378B)\nSection 20H, ‘378B’—\nomit, insert—\n378F\n37 Amendment of sch 1B (Prescribed quantity of dangerous\ndrugs, S4 medicines and S8 medicines)\n(1) Schedule 1B, part 2, entry for Cannabis—\nomit.\n(2) Schedule 1B, part 2, note—\nomit.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\nClause 13\n14\n15\nClause 16\n17\n18\n19\n20\nClause 21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n\nPage 41\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 38]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 7 Amendment of State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999\n(3) Schedule 1B, part 3, note—\nomit.\nPart 7 Amendment of State Penalties\nEnforcement Act 1999\n38 Act amended\nThis part amends the State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999.\nNote—\nSee also the amendments in schedule 1.\n39 Amendment of s 5 (Act has limited application to\nchildren)\nSection 5(1), after ‘authority’—\ninsert—\n, or where relevant to elect to complete a drug\ndiversion program,\n40 Amendment of s 15 (Infringement notices)\nSection 15(2)(f)—\ninsert—\n(iv) for a notice served on the alleged offender\nfor a minor drug offence—elect to complete\na drug diversion program under the Police\nPowers and Responsibilities Act 2000,\nsection 378I;\n41 Amendment of s 22 (Ways alleged offender may deal with\ninfringement notice)\n(1) Section 22(1)—\n1\n2\n3\n4\nClause 5\n6\n7\n8\nClause 9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\nClause 15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\nClause 23\n24\n25\n\nPage 42\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 42]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 7 Amendment of State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999\ninsert—\n(d) for a notice served on the alleged offender\nfor a minor drug offence—elect to complete\na drug diversion program under the Police\nPowers and Responsibilities Act 2000,\nsection 378I.\n(2) Section 22—\ninsert—\n(3) If the alleged offender acts under subsection\n(1)(a) or (2), the alleged offender may not make\nan election under subsection (1)(d).\n42 Amendment of s 30 (Application to cancel infringement\nnotice for mistake of fact)\nSection 30(1), ‘section 33(1)’—\nomit, insert—\nsection 33\n43 Insertion of new pt 3, div 5\nPart 3—\ninsert—\nDivision 5 Minor drug offences\n32A Proceedings for particular minor drug offence\n(1) A reference in this Act to the matter of an offence\nbeing decided in a Magistrates Court is, in relation\nto a minor drug offence against the Drugs Misuse\nAct 1986, section 9, taken to be a reference to the\nmatter of an offence being decided in a\nproceeding for the offence taken under that Act.\n(2) A reference in this Act to a proceeding for an\noffence being started under the Justices Act 1886\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\nClause 12\n13\n14\n15\n16\nClause 17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 43\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 44]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 7 Amendment of State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999\nis, in relation to a minor drug offence against the\nDrugs Misuse Act 1986, section 9, taken to be a\nreference to a proceeding for the offence being\nstarted in the way stated in section 118 of that Act.\n32B Drug diversion programs\n(1) This section applies if a person—\n(a) is served with an infringement notice for a\nminor drug offence; and\n(b) elects to complete a drug diversion program\nunder the Police Powers and\nResponsibilities Act 2000, section 378I.\n(2) The person may not elect to have the matter of the\noffence decided in a Magistrates Court or in a\nproceeding for the offence taken under the Drugs\nMisuse Act 1986, whichever is relevant.\n(3) If the person completes the program within the\nlimitation period, sections 25 and 28 apply as if\nthe person had paid the fine for the offence in full\nto the administering authority as required by the\ninfringement notice.\n(4) If the person does not complete the program\nwithin the limitation period, action may be taken\nunder this Act as if the person had not made the\nelection, including the starting of a proceeding for\nthe offence.\nNote—\nSee also section 33(2).\n44 Amendment of s 33 (Default by person served with\ninfringement notice)\n(1) Section 33(1)—\ninsert—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\nClause 28\n29\n30\n31\n\nPage 44\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 44]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 7 Amendment of State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999\n(e) if relevant, elected to complete a drug\ndiversion program under the Police Powers\nand Responsibilities Act 2000, section 378I;\n(2) Section 33—\ninsert—\n(1A) Also, if a person served with an infringement\nnotice for a minor drug offence—\n(a) has made an election mentioned in\nsubsection (1)(e); but\n(b) has not completed the drug diversion\nprogram within the limitation period;\nthe administering authority may give to SPER for\nregistration a default certificate for the offence.\n(3) Section 33(3), after ‘subsection (1)’—\ninsert—\nor (2)\n(4) Section 33(8), ‘Subsection (5)’—\nomit, insert—\nSubsection (6)\n(5) Section 33(9), ‘subsection (3)’—\nomit, insert—\nsubsection (4)\n(6) Section 33(9), ‘subsection (6)(b)’—\nomit, insert—\nsubsection (7)(b)\n(7) Section 33(1A) to (10)—\nrenumber as section 33(2) to (11).\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 45\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 45]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 7 Amendment of State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999\n45 Amendment of s 35 (Effect of registration under this\ndivision)\n(1) Section 35(3), ‘section 33(3)’—\nomit, insert—\nsection 33(4)\n(2) Section 35(4), ‘section 33(7)’—\nomit, insert—\nsection 33(8)\n46 Insertion of new s 57A\nAfter section 57—\ninsert—\n57A Issue of fresh infringement notice for minor\ndrug offence\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) the relevant enforcement order is for a\nminor drug offence; and\n(b) the registrar cancels the relevant\nenforcement order; and\n(c) the administering authority issues a fresh\ninfringement notice for the offence.\n(2) The following provisions do not apply in relation\nto the fresh infringement notice—\n(a) section 15(2)(f)(iv);\n(b) section 22(1)(d);\n(c) section 32B;\n(d) section 33(1)(e) or (2);\n(e) section 135(e)(iv).\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\nClause 9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n\nPage 46\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 47]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 7 Amendment of State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999\n47 Amendment of s 135 (Default certificate for infringement\nnotice offence)\nSection 135(e)—\ninsert—\n(iv) for a minor drug offence—\n(A) elect to complete a drug diversion\nprogram under the Police Powers and\nResponsibilities Act 2000, section\n378I; or\n(B) having made an election mentioned in\nsubsubparagraph (A), complete the\nprogram within the limitation period;\n48 Amendment of s 157 (Evidentiary provisions)\nSection 157(2)—\ninsert—\n(l) a stated person—\n(i) did not elect to complete a drug\ndiversion program under the Police\nPowers and Responsibilities Act 2000,\nsection 378I; or\n(ii) made an election mentioned in\nsubparagraph (i) but did not complete\nthe program within the limitation\nperiod.\n49 Amendment of sch 2 (Dictionary)\nSchedule 2—\ninsert—\nlimitation period, for a person’s completion of a\ndrug diversion program under the Police Powers\nand Responsibilities Act 2000, means the period,\nClause 1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\nClause 13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\nClause 25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n\nPage 47\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 50]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 8 Amendment of State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014\nmentioned in section 378H(1)(d) of that Act,\nstated in the information notice given to the\nperson.\nminor drug offence see the Police Powers and\nResponsibilities Act 2000, section 378F.\nPart 8 Amendment of State Penalties\nEnforcement Regulation 2014\n50 Regulation amended\nThis part amends the State Penalties Enforcement Regulation\n2014.\n51 Amendment of sch 1 (Infringement notice offences and\nfines for nominated laws)\n(1) Schedule 1, entry for Drugs Misuse Act 1986—\ninsert—\n(2) Schedule 1, entry for Drugs Misuse Act 1986—\ninsert—\n(3) Schedule 1, entry for Medicines and Poisons Act 2019—\ns 9(1) if the offence is an offence\nmentioned in s 15(1)\n3\ns 10(4) 2\ns\n10A(1)(a),\n(b) or (c)\n2\nAdministering authority for an infringement notice offence that is an\noffence against a provision of the Drugs Misuse Act 1986, or an\ninfringement notice about the offence—the registrar\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\nClause 8\n9\n10\nClause 11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n\nPage 48\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 51]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 8 Amendment of State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014\ninsert—\n(4) Schedule 1, entry for Medicines and Poisons Act 2019,\nauthorised person for service of infringement notices entry—\nomit, insert—\nAuthorised person for service of infringement\nnotices—\n(a) for an offence against section 34(1)—a\npolice officer; or\n(b) otherwise—an inspector appointed under\nthe Medicines and Poisons Act 2019, section\n131\n(5) Schedule 1, entry for Medicines and Poisons Act 2019—\ninsert—\n(6) Schedule 1, entry for Police Powers and Responsibilities Act\n2000, 5th entry for section 791(2), ‘section 379(8) to\nparticipate in and complete a drug diversion assessment\nprogram’—\nomit, insert—\nsection 378D(4) to complete a drug diversion\nprogram\ns 34(1) if the offence is a minor drug\noffence under the Police Powers and\nResponsibilities Act 2000, section\n378F\n3\nAdministering authority for an infringement notice offence that is an\noffence against the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019, section 34(1), or an\ninfringement notice about the offence—the registrar\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0005","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 5","content":"Page 49\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 52]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 9 Amendment of Youth Justice Act 1992\nPart 9 Amendment of Youth Justice\nAct 1992\n52 Act amended\nThis part amends the Youth Justice Act 1992.\nNote—\nSee also the amendments in schedule 1.\n53 Amendment of s 11 (Police officer to consider\nalternatives to proceeding against child)\n(1) Section 11(1)(d)—\nomit, insert—\n(d) if the offence is a minor cannabis offence\nand the child may be offered the opportunity\nto complete a drug diversion program under\nthe Police Powers and Responsibilities Act\n2000, chapter 14, part 4, division 5,\nsubdivision 1—to offer the child the\nopportunity in accordance with that\nsubdivision;\n(2) Section 11(8) and (9)—\nomit, insert—\n(8) If the police officer decides to act as mentioned in\nsubsection (1)(a) or (b) in relation to a minor\ncannabis offence or minor drug offence, the\nrelevant drug or medicine is forfeited to the State.\nNote—\nThe Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000,\nsections 378D and 378J provide for forfeiting the\nrelevant drug or medicine to the State—\n(a) for a minor cannabis offence—when the child signs\na cannabis diversion agreement; or\n(b) for a minor drug offence—when, under the State\nPenalties Enforcement Act 1999, the child may no\n1\n2\nClause 3\n4\n5\n6\nClause 7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n32\n\nPage 50\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 54]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 9 Amendment of Youth Justice Act 1992\nlonger elect to have the matter of the offence\ndecided in a Magistrates Court or in a proceeding\nfor the offence taken under the Drugs Misuse Act\n1986, whichever is relevant.\n(9) In this section—\ndangerous drug see the Drugs Misuse Act 1986,\nsection 4.\nminor cannabis offence see the Police Powers\nand Responsibilities Act 2000, section 378A.\nminor drug offence see the Police Powers and\nResponsibilities Act 2000, section 378F.\nrelevant drug or medicine, in relation to an\noffence, means the cannabis or other dangerous\ndrug, S4 medicine or S8 medicine the subject of\nthe offence.\nS4 medicine see the Medicines and Poisons Act\n2019, section 11(1)(c).\nS8 medicine see the Medicines and Poisons Act\n2019, section 11(1)(d).\n54 Amendment of s 68 (Infringement notices)\nSection 68—\ninsert—\n(2) A reference in subsection (1) to a simple offence\nincludes a reference to an offence mentioned in\nthe Drugs Misuse Act 1986, section 15(1).\n55 Amendment of s 168 (Meaning of eligible child)\n(1) Section 168(4)(a)(ii)—\nomit, insert—\n(ii) the child has both—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\nClause 20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\nClause 26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 51\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 56]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 9 Amendment of Youth Justice Act 1992\n(A) signed a cannabis diversion agreement\nunder the Police Powers and\nResponsibilities Act 2000, section\n378D; and\n(B) been given an information notice under\nthe Police Powers and Responsibilities\nAct 2000, section 378H; or\n(iia) the child has, at any time before the\ncommencement of the Expanding Adult\nCrime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong\nStance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour\nAmendment Act 2026, section 24, agreed to\nan offer under the Police Powers and\nResponsibilities Act 2000, section 379AA,\nas in force at that time, to participate in a\ndrug diversion assessment program; or\n(2) Section 168(4)(a)(iia) and (iii)—\nrenumber as section 168(4)(a)(iii) and (iv).\n(3) Section 168(5), definition prescribed diversion alternative,\n‘subsection (4)(a)(i) or (ii)’—\nomit, insert—\nsubsection (4)(a)(i), (ii) or (iii)\n56 Amendment of s 175A (Sentence orders—significant\noffences to which adult penalties apply)\n(1) Section 175A(1), before paragraph (a)—\ninsert—\n(aa) section 61(1), if the circumstance stated in\nparagraph (a) of the penalty for section\n61(1) applies;\n(2) Section 175A(1)—\ninsert—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\nClause 23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n30\n31\n\nPage 52\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 56]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 9 Amendment of Youth Justice Act 1992\n(ba) section 210, if the circumstance stated in\nsection 210(3) or (4A) applies;\n(bb) section 216;\n(3) Section 175A(1)—\ninsert—\n(fa) section 309;\n(fb) section 311;\n(4) Section 175A(1)—\ninsert—\n(ha) section 315;\n(hb) section 315A;\n(hc) section 316;\n(5) Section 175A(1)—\ninsert—\n(ia) section 319;\n(6) Section 175A(1)—\ninsert—\n(ka) section 322, if the circumstance stated in\nparagraph (a) of the penalty for the section\napplies;\n(7) Section 175A(1)—\ninsert—\n(oa) section 339, if the circumstance stated in\nsection 339(2) or (3) applies;\n(8) Section 175A(1)—\ninsert—\n(wa) section 359E;\n(9) Section 175A(1)(za), ‘, if the circumstance stated in section\n412(2) or (3) applies’—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\n27\n28\n29\n\nPage 53\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 57]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 9 Amendment of Youth Justice Act 1992\nomit.\n(10) Section 175A(1)(aa) to (zf)—\nrenumber as section 175A(1)(a) to (zr).\n(11) Section 175A—\ninsert—\n(1C) Also, this section applies if a court is sentencing a\nchild—\n(a) for an offence against the Criminal Code,\nsection 535 of attempting to commit an\noffence mentioned in subsection (1), (1A) or\n(1B); or\n(b) for an offence against the Criminal Code,\nsection 541 or 542 of conspiring with\nanother person to commit an offence\nmentioned in subsection (1), (1A) or (1B);\nor\n(c) for an offence against the Criminal Code,\nsection 544 of becoming an accessory after\nthe fact to an offence mentioned in\nsubsection (1), (1A) or (1B).\n57 Amendment of s 176 (Sentence orders—other significant\noffences)\nSection 176(7), definition relevant offence, paragraph (a),\n‘section 175A(1) or (1B)’—\nomit, insert—\nsection 175A(1), (1A), (1B) or (1C)\n58 Insertion of new pt 11, div 28\nPart 11—\ninsert—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\nClause 21\n22\n23\n24\n25\n26\nClause 27\n28\n29\n\nPage 54\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n[s 59]\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPart 10 Other amendments\nDivision 28 Transitional provisions for\nExpanding Adult Crime,\nAdult Time and Taking a\nStrong Stance on Drugs\nand Anti-Social Behaviour\nAmendment Act 2026\n444 Application of s 175A\nSection 175A, as amended by the Expanding\nAdult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong\nStance on Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour\nAmendment Act 2026, applies in relation to an\noffence only if the offence was committed after\nthe commencement.\n445 Application of s 176\nTo remove any doubt, it is declared that section\n176(7), as amended by the Expanding Adult\nCrime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on\nDrugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Amendment Act\n2026, applies to an offence mentioned in section\n175A whether the offence was committed before\nor after the commencement.\nPart 10 Other amendments\n59 Legislation amended\nSchedule 1 amends the legislation it mentions.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\nClause 23\n24\n\nSchedule 1\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 55\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\nSchedule 1 Other amendments\nsection 59\nBail Act 1980\n1 Section 14(1B), ‘either’—\nomit, insert—\nany\n2 Section 14(1B)(b)—\nomit, insert—\n(b) a person charged with a minor cannabis\noffence within the meaning of the Police\nPowers and Responsibilities Act 2000,\nsection 378A signs a cannabis diversion\nagreement under section 378D of that Act;\n(c) a person charged with a minor drug offence\nwithin the meaning of the Police Powers and\nResponsibilities Act 2000, section 378F is\nserved with an infringement notice for the\noffence.\nJustice and Other Information Disclosure Act 2008\n1 Schedule, definition person in the criminal justice\nsystem, paragraph (f)—\nomit, insert—\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n20\n21\n22\n\nSchedule 1\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 56\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n(f) a person to whom a police officer has\noffered the opportunity to complete a drug\ndiversion program under the Police Powers\nand Responsibilities Act 2000, chapter 14,\npart 4, division 5, subdivision 1; or\nPolice Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000\n1 Chapter 14, part 4, division 4, heading—\nomit.\nState Penalties Enforcement Act 1999\n1 Section 26(2), ‘by’—\nomit, insert—\nin\n2 Section 27(1)(a), ‘by’—\nomit, insert—\nin\nYouth Justice Act 1992\n1 Section 50(3), ‘379’—\nomit, insert—\n378D(7)\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\n6\n7\n8\n9\n10\n11\n12\n13\n14\n15\n16\n17\n18\n19\n\nSchedule 1\nExpanding Adult Crime, Adult Time and Taking a Strong Stance on Drugs and Anti-Social\nBehaviour Amendment Bill 2026\nPage 57\nAuthorised by the Parliamentary Counsel\n2 Section 289(e), ‘section 379’—\nomit, insert—\nchapter 14, part 4, division 5, subdivision 1\n© State of Queensland 2026\n1\n2\n3","sortOrder":4}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Bill broadens scope well beyond a narrow drugs diversion tweak. It creates an integrated infringement/diversion pathway for minor drug possession (new infringement notice option and detailed diversion program mechanics) and simultaneously expands police powers and administrative tools for managing anti‑social behaviour in prescribed \"designated business and community precincts\" (hand‑held scanners, move‑on directions, police banning notices and new prescription/review processes — Police Powers ss808D, 39BA, 48, 602C). It also amends youth sentencing and adult penalty‑trigger lists (Youth Justice Act s175A/176; Penalties & Sentences Act s15C), amends bail triggers (schedule 1 amendments to Bail Act), and stitches the diversion regime into the State Penalties Enforcement framework (multiple SPER amendments). Taken together, these additions extend the Bill from an adjustment to drug offence handling to a package that affects policing powers, public‑place regulation, enforcement machinery and sentencing rules across multiple Acts."},"complexity_factors":["Amends or interacts with at least 12 statutes/regulations (Drugs Misuse Act & Reg, Police Powers & Reg, State Penalties Enforcement Act & Reg, Penalties & Sentences Act, Youth Justice Act, Bail Act, Justice and Other Information Disclosure Act, and other statutes in schedule 1).","Introduces a long new set of provisions (Police Powers ss378A–378O) with 15 distinct new sections covering eligibility, offers, agreements, forfeiture, notifications and information sharing.","Multiple cross‑references between Acts: police decisions trigger SPER consequences and vice versa (e.g. Drugs Misuse Act s15 ↔ Police Powers ss378H–378I ↔ SPER ss32B, ss33 amendments).","Numerous conditional eligibility tests and nested conditions (reasonable belief tests, prior conviction/spent conviction exclusions, ‘‘not previously served with an infringement notice’’, single substance limit, prescribed quantity thresholds).","New administrative pathways and timing‑sensitive rules (28‑day election window, limitation periods for completion, notifications to chief executive (health), commissioner and SPER registrar).","Addition of designated precinct power with ministerial prescription, consultation and mandatory review requirements (new s808D) creating regulatory discretion and multi‑level governance.","Replacement and renumbering of multiple existing sections across the Police Powers Act (including deletion of s49 and replacement of s602C), increasing risk of mismatch during transition.","Transitional provisions in multiple parts (Drugs Misuse Act pt 7 div 12; Police Powers ch24 pt29; Youth Justice transitional division), requiring mapping of legacy diversion agreements/orders to the new regime.","Interaction with sentencing law (Penalties & Sentences Act s15C and Youth Justice Act s175A/176) that expands adult penalty triggers and requires judges and practitioners to apply amended lists.","Evidentiary and enforcement changes (new evidentiary entries in SPER s157 and new default/registration rules) that complicate enforcement flow and require system updates."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this bill does (mechanically)\n\n- Creates a new, formal interaction between police, courts and the State Penalties Enforcement regime for small-scale drug possession and certain medicines. Small personal-possession offences can be handled by an infringement notice (a fine) or by completing a state‑approved drug diversion program instead of paying the fine. Key provisions: Drugs Misuse Act — new section 15 (minor possession as an infringement offence) and Police Powers and Responsibilities Act — new chapter 14, part 4, division 5 (sections 378A–378O) describing how police offer diversion, how agreements work and how completion is notified (see s15, ss378C–378E, ss378H–378O).\n\n- Sets eligibility conditions for who may be offered treatment/diversion rather than prosecution (age, prior convictions, single substance, personal use, amount limits). The police must form reasonable beliefs about personal use and absence of related serious offending (see Drugs Misuse Act s15(1) and Police Powers ss378A, 378F–378G).\n\n- Introduces procedural detail for diversion offers: police must explain the program, obtain a signed agreement for cannabis offers (cannabis diversion agreement) or serve an infringement notice plus an information notice for other minor drug offences (see ss378C–378D, 378H–378I). Forfeiture of the seized drug occurs on signing or when the election window closes (ss378D(6), 378J).\n\n- Links diversion completion to court and enforcement outcomes. If a person completes the program courts must discontinue the minor‑offence matter (Drugs Misuse Act s122C as replaced; Police Powers ss378E, 378N–378O). If a person elects diversion under an infringement notice and completes within the stated period, the result is treated like payment of the fine for enforcement purposes (State Penalties Enforcement Act new ss32B, 57A, amendments to ss33 and 135).\n\n- Expands police powers and administrative tools in public areas called \"designated business and community precincts\": allows hand‑held scanner use, move‑on directions, police banning notices, and gives a regulatory route for the Minister to designate such precincts (Police Powers ss39BA, 40, 48, new s808D and related amendments). The police banning notice regime gets tightened (approval threshold for issuing officer, and specified reasonable excuses for failing to comply) (see s602C replacement and s602Q amendment).\n\n- Makes complementary amendments across many Acts and regulations so the new diversion/infringement pathway operates with enforcement, evidentiary, youth justice and sentencing law (amendments to Penalties and Sentences Act s15C, Youth Justice Act ss11, 68, 168 and sentencing lists at ss175A/176; State Penalties Enforcement Act and regs; Drugs Misuse Regulation and schedules removing certain substances from controlled lists). Transitional provisions preserve some existing diversion orders and map old programs to the new regime (see Parts 2, 3, 5 and chapter 24 part 29).\n\nWho is affected and who decides\n\n- People caught possessing small, personal amounts of illegal drugs or certain prescription medicines: they face either an infringement notice (fine) or may be offered/choose to undertake a drug diversion program instead (see Drugs Misuse Act s15; Police Powers ss378C–378I).\n\n- Police: they decide whether the person meets eligibility criteria and must offer diversion for adults (must or may for children), serve information notices, accept signed diversion agreements, and release arrested persons promptly after agreement or service (ss378C–378D, 378L).\n\n- Health/approved program providers and administrative authorities (chief executive (health), the commissioner, SPER registrar/administrating authority): they provide or approve drug diversion programs, receive notifications of completion, and handle enforcement consequences under SPER (ss378M, 378N–378O; State Penalties Enforcement Act inserts).\n\n- Courts: may order completion of diversion programs in specific proceedings and must strike out charges when diversion is completed as required (Drugs Misuse Act s122A and amended s122C).\n\nWho pays\n\n- The alleged offender either pays the infringement fine or bears the time/possible cost of participating in the diversion program (the Bill does not itself fix program fees — programs are to be provided or approved under health administration; enforcement and registration costs run through SPER where relevant).\n\nWhy it matters (official purpose claims and practical consequences)\n\n- Officially the bill provides a stronger stance on drugs and anti‑social behaviour while creating an operational diversion option for minor possession. It aims to: (a) create quicker enforcement routes for low‑level possession (infringement notices), (b) keep eligible people out of court if they complete treatment diversion, and (c) give police more tools in designated precincts to address anti‑social behaviour (see new s808D and police banning notice provisions).\n\nTesting those claims against costs, incentives and trade-offs\n\n- Administrative and operational costs: the State (health agencies and police) must fund or approve diversion programs, manage notifications, and handle information sharing with SPER and policing systems (ss378M, 378K, 378N–378O). New IT, training and inter‑agency protocols will be required to track elections, completions and enforcement outcomes.\n\n- Incentives for individuals: the regime creates a concrete substitution—elect diversion (time/engagement, potential program cost) instead of paying a fine or facing immediate prosecution. That can reduce court workloads but shifts resource needs to treatment providers. Eligibility screens (no prior convictions for a set list; single substance; amounts <= prescribed quantity) concentrate the benefit on first‑time or low‑risk users (Drugs Misuse Act s15(1)(d), Police Powers ss378B, 378G).\n\n- Enforcement and discretion: the scheme gives police significant discretion to determine eligibility (reasonable belief tests in ss15, 378B, 378G), to offer diversion and to issue banning notices (s602C). The Bill builds in supervisory approval for some banning notices (approving officer must be sergeant+ for junior issuers), but discretion remains operationally important. That creates implementation risk if guidance and oversight are weak.\n\n- Compliance burden and privacy: diversion agreements authorise information disclosure between \"relevant entities\" (s378D(3), s378K). That enables necessary coordination but raises privacy and record‑management duties for agencies and providers.\n\n- Interaction with fines/enforcement: the Bill integrates diversion with SPER so that program completion treats the matter as if the fine were paid (State Penalties Enforcement Act ss32B, 57A). If a person elects diversion and fails to complete within the limitation period the usual enforcement/default registration pathways resume (s33 amendments). This creates an enforcement back‑stop but requires close timing coordination.\n\n- Impact on private providers and businesses: designated precincts and expanded police powers (hand‑held scanners, move‑ons, banning notices) may change foot‑traffic and security costs for businesses in those areas. The Minister must consult local government before designations and review every 3 years (s808D(3)–(5)), but private businesses may face operational effects, including greater police presence.\n\n- Youth justice and sentencing: the Bill extends adult‑penalty application lists for significant offences and aligns diversion options for children (Youth Justice Act amendments ss11, 168, 175A). That changes sentencing exposure for some children (s175A amendments) and shifts some low‑level drug matters away from court if diversion is taken (s53 changes).\n\n- Unintended consequences and substitution effects: by making fines + diversion an explicit path, some people who currently would be charged or diverted informally may instead enter an administrated program or pay fines. That can reduce immediate court burdens but increases demand for approved programs. The eligibility exclusions (previous convictions, prior infringement) may push repeat users into traditional prosecution pathways rather than diversion.\n\nImplementation risk and opportunity costs\n\n- Risk of inconsistent application: the regime relies on police reasonable‑belief decisions and on local availability of approved programs; inconsistent offers across jurisdictions or precincts are possible (ss378C, 378M).\n\n- Resource trade‑offs: funding programs and administering notifications will compete with other health and policing priorities. If programs are limited, eligible persons may still pay fines or face enforcement, undermining the diversion intent.\n\nConcrete mechanisms to watch at rollout\n\n- How \"prescribed quantity\" limits are set in regulations (Police Powers Regulation changes) and how that affects eligibility (s378F and regulation amendments).\n- The administrative pathway for SPER to recognise program completion and cancel enforcement orders (State Penalties Enforcement Act inserts ss32B, 57A).\n- The Minister's use of the designated precinct power and the practical effect of additional police powers in those areas (s808D and related police power amendments)."},"summary":{"status_summary":"Received royal assent; Part 9 sections 53, 54, and 55 commenced on assent, while the remaining provisions will commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation.","complexity_score":7,"likely_questions":["When will the proclaimed provisions actually commence?","What exactly is a 'designated business and community precinct' and where will they be?","If I receive an infringement notice for a minor drug offence, can I still choose to go to court instead of the diversion program?","Which new offences can now result in a child being sentenced as an adult?","How do the new drug diversion rules differ from the previous drug diversion assessment program?"],"complexity_factors":["Amends eight separate Acts and two regulations, creating interconnected changes.","Creates two distinct drug diversion schemes with different eligibility criteria and procedures.","Introduces a new 'designated business and community precinct' concept with multiple police powers.","Expands the list of offences subject to adult sentencing for children with complex cross-references to Criminal Code sections.","Contains multiple transitional provisions with different application dates and savings for pre-commencement orders."],"plain_english_summary":"This Bill expands police diversion for minor drug offences—mandatory offer for adult simple cannabis possession (≤50g) and infringement-plus-diversion options for other small‑quantity drug offences—and reclassifies two substances, potentially affecting penalties and diversion eligibility. It broadens which children can be sentenced as adults for certain violent and property offences. It also lets government designate precincts where police may use handheld scanners, require ID, give move‑on directions and issue banning notices, increasing police powers in targeted areas."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/expanding-adult-crime-adult-time-and-taking-a-strong-stance-on-drugs-and-anti-social-behaviour-amendment-bill-2026","history":"/api/acts/expanding-adult-crime-adult-time-and-taking-a-strong-stance-on-drugs-and-anti-social-behaviour-amendment-bill-2026/history","analysis":"/api/acts/expanding-adult-crime-adult-time-and-taking-a-strong-stance-on-drugs-and-anti-social-behaviour-amendment-bill-2026/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/expanding-adult-crime-adult-time-and-taking-a-strong-stance-on-drugs-and-anti-social-behaviour-amendment-bill-2026/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/expanding-adult-crime-adult-time-and-taking-a-strong-stance-on-drugs-and-anti-social-behaviour-amendment-bill-2026/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/expanding-adult-crime-adult-time-and-taking-a-strong-stance-on-drugs-and-anti-social-behaviour-amendment-bill-2026/documents"}}