Magistrates Court (Indicative Sentencing) Amendment Bill 2025
J2025-332
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
2025
THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
(As presented)
(Attorney-General)
Magistrates Court (Indicative
Sentencing) Amendment Bill 2025
Contents
Page
1 Name of Act 2
2 Commencement 2
3 Legislation amended 2
4 Definitions for ch 3
Section 18A, new definition of sexual offence 2
5 New division 3.4.1A 3
6 Sections 90AA (9) and 90AB (3) 14
7 Dictionary, new definitions 14
Schedule 1 Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005—
Consequential amendments 15
J2025-332
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
2025
THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
(As presented)
(Attorney-General)
Magistrates Court (Indicative
Sentencing) Amendment Bill 2025
A Bill for
An Act to amend the Magistrates Court Act 1930, and for other purposes
The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory enacts as follows:
Section 1
page 2 Magistrates Court (Indicative Sentencing)
Amendment Bill 2025
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
1 Name of Act1
This Act is the Magistrates Court (Indicative Sentencing) Amendment2
Act 2025.3
2 Commencement4
This Act commences 6 months after its notification day.5
Note The naming and commencement provisions automatically commence on6
the notification day (see Legislation Act, s 75 (1)).7
3 Legislation amended8
This Act amends the Magistrates Court Act 1930.9
Note This Act also amends the Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005 (see sch 1).10
4 Definitions for ch 311
Section 18A, new definition of sexual offence12
insert13
sexual offence means an offence against any of the following14
provisions of the Crimes Act:15
(a) part 3 (Sexual offences);16
(b) part 3A (Intimate image abuse);17
(c) part 4 (Female genital mutilation);18
(d) part 5 (Sexual servitude).19
Section 5
Magistrates Court (Indicative Sentencing)
Amendment Bill 2025
page 3
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
5 New division 3.4.1A1
insert2
Division 3.4.1A Sentence indications3
55 Application—div 3.4.1A4
This division applies to any proceeding that the Magistrates Court has5
jurisdiction to hear and decide, other than a proceeding—6
(a) for a family violence offence, a sexual offence or an offence7
against the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management)8
Act 1999, section 6 (1) (a); or9
(b) within the jurisdiction of the Childrens Court; or10
(c) for an offence prescribed by regulation.11
Note An offence against the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management)12
Act 1999, s 6 (1) (a) is an offence of negligent driving that occasions13
death.14
56 Definitions—div 3.4.1A15
In this division:16
indicated sentence means the sentence the court indicates it would17
impose under a sentence indication.18
sentence indication—see section 57 (1).19
victim impact statement—see the Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005,20
section 47.21
57 Applications for sentence indication22
(1) A person charged with an offence (the defendant) may apply to the23
Magistrates Court for an indication of the sentence that the court24
would likely impose on the defendant if they were to plead guilty to25
the charge for the offence (a sentence indication).26
Section 5
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Amendment Bill 2025
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
(2) The application may be made at any time during the proceeding for1
the offence up to and including the first day of the hearing of the2
charge for the offence.3
(3) The defendant’s legal representative must give the court written4
notice of the defendant’s intention to apply for a sentence indication5
at least 5 working days before the application is made.6
(4) If notice is not given in accordance with subsection (3), the court must7
adjourn the proceeding for the offence for at least 5 working days.8
(5) However, subsections (3) and (4) do not apply if a defendant applies9
for a sentence indication within 5 days of the first day of the hearing10
of the charge for the offence.11
(6) The defendant may withdraw their application for the court to give12
the defendant a sentence indication at any time before the indicated13
sentence is given.14
(7) A defendant may apply for a sentence indication more than once in a15
proceeding, but not more than 3 times in relation to a charge for an16
offence.17
(8) However, a sentence indication may be given only once in relation to18
a charge for an offence, unless—19
(a) there has been a material change in relation to the charge since20
the court provided an indicated sentence; or21
Examples—material change22
1 defendant charged with a different offence23
2 brief of evidence about the offence served on defendant24
3 prosecutor’s disclosure of information, a document or another thing that25
has not previously been given to the defendant26
(b) an indicated sentence is revised under section 61D.27
Section 5
Magistrates Court (Indicative Sentencing)
Amendment Bill 2025
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Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
58 Prosecution’s election about whether sentence indication1
may be given2
(1) If a defendant has applied for a sentence indication in a proceeding3
for an offence, the prosecution may, within the time required under4
subsection (2), elect whether or not it consents to a sentence5
indication being given.6
(2) An election under subsection (1) must be made before the later of—7
(a) the second time the proceeding for the offence is before the8
court; and9
(b) 21 days after the first time the proceeding for the offence is10
before the court.11
(3) The court must not grant a defendant’s application for a sentence12
indication before the time required under subsection (2) has ended if13
the prosecution has not made an election under subsection (1).14
(4) If the prosecution elects that it consents to a sentence indication, the15
court must grant the defendant’s application for a sentence indication16
and deal with the application in accordance with this division.17
(5) If the prosecution elects not to consent to the court giving a sentence18
indication, the court must not grant the defendant’s application for a19
sentence indication.20
(6) If the prosecution does not make an election within the time required21
under subsection (2), the court may grant the defendant’s application22
for a sentence indication and deal with the application in accordance23
with this division.24
(7) If a defendant applies for a sentence indication more than once in a25
proceeding, the prosecution may make an election under26
subsection (1) for each application.27
Section 5
page 6 Magistrates Court (Indicative Sentencing)
Amendment Bill 2025
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
59 Information for court to consider before giving sentence1
indication2
(1) If the Magistrates Court grants a defendant’s application for a3
sentence indication, the court must consider the following4
information before deciding the indicated sentence:5
(a) a statement of agreed facts on which the charge for the offence6
is based;7
(b) the defendant’s criminal history;8
(c) if there is a complainant for the offence—9
(i) any victim impact statement prepared by or for the10
complainant; and11
(ii) whether the prosecution believes there is sufficient12
information about the harm suffered by the complainant13
for the court to give a sentence indication.14
(2) The court may also consider any additional information the court15
considers relevant to sentencing the defendant for the offence.16
60 Court’s discretion to not give sentence indication17
(1) The Magistrates Court may decide to not give a defendant a sentence18
indication if the court—19
(a) believes it does not have sufficient information; or20
(b) otherwise considers that a sentence indication would not be21
appropriate.22
(2) In deciding to not give a sentence indication, the court must consider23
the effect not giving a sentence indication will have on any24
complainant in relation to the offence.25
Section 5
Magistrates Court (Indicative Sentencing)
Amendment Bill 2025
page 7
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
61 Explanation of process for and effect of sentence1
indications2
(1) Before giving a defendant a sentence indication, the Magistrates3
Court must explain to the defendant the process for, and effect of,4
giving a sentence indication, including—5
(a) that the defendant may withdraw their application for the6
sentence indication at any time before the indicated sentence is7
given; and8
(b) the effect of sections 61A, 61B and 61C; and9
(c) that an inference of guilt will not be drawn if the defendant—10
(i) withdraws their application for the sentence indication; or11
(ii) does not accept the indicated sentence; and12
(d) the maximum penalty for the offence charged; and13
(e) that, if the defendant accepts an indicated sentence and the14
sentence imposed on the defendant for the offence is appealed,15
a more severe sentence may be imposed.16
(2) The court must also recommend that an unrepresented defendant17
obtain their own legal advice in relation to whether to accept or reject18
an indicated sentence.19
61A Acceptance or rejection of sentence indication20
(1) If the Magistrates Court gives a defendant a sentence indication, the21
defendant must accept or reject the indicated sentence—22
(a) if the defendant applies for the sentence indication before the23
first day of the hearing of the charge for the offence—by the24
earlier of—25
(i) the day determined by the court; and26
Section 5
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Amendment Bill 2025
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
(ii) the day that is 7 days after the day the indicated sentence1
is given; or2
(b) if the defendant applies for the sentence indication on the3
first day of the hearing of the charge for the offence—by the4
time on that day determined by the court.5
(2) The day determined by the court under subsection (1) (a) must be not6
later than the first day of the hearing of the charge for the offence.7
(3) The indicated sentence is taken to have been rejected by the defendant8
if—9
(a) the defendant fails to accept or reject the indicated sentence in10
accordance with subsection (1); or11
(b) if the defendant accepts the indicated sentence in accordance12
with subsection (1)—the court is not satisfied the defendant has13
received, or had a reasonable opportunity to receive, legal14
advice about the indicated sentence.15
61B Effect of rejected sentence indication16
(1) This section applies if—17
(a) the Magistrates Court gives a defendant an indicated sentence in18
relation to a charge for an offence; and19
(b) the defendant rejects, or is taken to have rejected, the indicated20
sentence.21
(2) The court that hears and decides the charge—22
(a) must be constituted by a magistrate other than the magistrate23
who gave the sentence indication (the original magistrate)24
unless—25
(i) the original magistrate had already been assigned to hear26
the charge for the offence when the defendant applied for27
the sentence indication; or28
Section 5
Magistrates Court (Indicative Sentencing)
Amendment Bill 2025
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Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
(ii) all the parties to the proceeding otherwise agree; and1
(b) is not bound by the indicated sentence if imposing a sentence on2
the defendant for the offence.3
61C Effect of accepted sentence indication4
(1) This section applies if—5
(a) the Magistrates Court gives a defendant an indicated sentence in6
relation to a charge for an offence; and7
(b) the defendant accepts the indicated sentence.8
(2) If the defendant pleads guilty to the charge for the offence, the court9
must not impose a sentence more severe than the indicated sentence.10
(3) If, despite having accepted the indicated sentence, the defendant does11
not plead guilty to the charge for the offence, the court that hears and12
decides the charge—13
(a) must be constituted by a magistrate other than the magistrate14
who gave the sentence indication (the original magistrate)15
unless—16
(i) the original magistrate had already been assigned to hear17
the charge for the offence when the defendant applied for18
the sentence indication; or19
(ii) all the parties to the proceeding otherwise agree; and20
(b) is not bound by the indicated sentence if imposing a sentence on21
the defendant for the offence.22
(4) There is no right of appeal against an indicated sentence.23
(5) A sentence indication given to a defendant in relation to a charge for24
an offence does not affect any party’s right to appeal against a25
sentence imposed on the defendant for the offence.26
Section 5
page 10 Magistrates Court (Indicative Sentencing)
Amendment Bill 2025
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
61D Court may revise sentence indication1
(1) The Magistrates Court may, at any time before a defendant is2
sentenced, revise an indicated sentence if there has been a change in3
circumstances that the court considers would result in a different4
sentence than the indicated sentence being imposed.5
(2) Before revising an indicated sentence, the court must—6
(a) be satisfied that the indicated sentence would not, as a result of7
the change in circumstances, be an appropriate sentence; and8
(b) tell the defendant that the court would likely impose a different9
sentence than the indicated sentence.10
(3) If the court revises an indicated sentence after the defendant pleads11
guilty to the offence, the defendant may withdraw the plea of guilty.12
(4) An indicated sentence may be revised under this section only if the13
court is constituted by the magistrate who gave the sentence14
indication (the original magistrate).15
(5) However, the indicated sentence may be revised by the court16
constituted by another magistrate if the original magistrate is unable17
to revise the indicated sentence because the magistrate—18
(a) dies; or19
(b) resigns; or20
(c) becomes mentally or physically incapacitated, if the incapacity21
substantially affects the exercise of their functions; or22
(d) is otherwise unlikely to be able to constitute the court within a23
reasonable time.24
Section 5
Magistrates Court (Indicative Sentencing)
Amendment Bill 2025
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Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
61E Sentence indication information inadmissible etc1
(1) If a defendant has applied for a sentence indication in a proceeding2
for an offence (the primary proceeding), evidence of the following is3
inadmissible in the primary proceeding or in any other criminal or4
civil proceeding:5
(a) the defendant’s application for a sentence indication;6
(b) the indicated sentence for the defendant;7
(c) if there is a complainant for the offence—any victim impact8
statement prepared by or for the complainant.9
(2) However, evidence mentioned in subsection (1) (a) or (b) is10
admissible in a proceeding in the following circumstances:11
(a) if the primary proceeding for the offence has been finally12
decided—the defendant—13
(i) accepted the indicated sentence; and14
(ii) has been sentenced for the offence; or15
(b) if the primary proceeding for the offence has not been finally16
decided—17
(i) a court hearing a proceeding considers the evidence18
admissible in the proceeding; and19
(ii) the defendant consents to the admission of the evidence.20
(3) Also, evidence mentioned in subsection (1) (c) is admissible in a21
proceeding (whether or not the primary proceeding for the offence22
has been finally decided) if—23
(a) a court hearing the proceeding considers the evidence24
admissible in the proceeding; and25
(b) the complainant consents to the admission of the evidence.26
Section 5
page 12 Magistrates Court (Indicative Sentencing)
Amendment Bill 2025
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
61F Restriction on publication of sentence indication matters1
(1) This section applies if—2
(a) a defendant applied for a sentence indication in a criminal3
proceeding; and4
(b) any of the following apply:5
(i) the court has not decided whether the defendant is guilty6
or not guilty of the offence;7
(ii) the court finds the defendant not guilty of the offence or8
the proceeding otherwise ends without a finding of guilt;9
(iii) if the defendant is found guilty of the offence—10
the defendant has not been sentenced for the offence.11
(2) A person commits an offence if the person publishes information12
about any of the following:13
(a) the defendant applying for a sentence indication;14
(b) particulars of the defendant’s application for a sentence15
indication;16
(c) the indicated sentence for the defendant;17
(d) if there is a complainant for the offence—any victim impact18
statement prepared by or for the complainant.19
Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or20
both.21
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if publishing the information was22
necessary on reasonable grounds for carrying out a court registry23
function, or giving information to the defendant or the defendant’s24
legal representative.25
Note A person charged with an offence against s (2) has an evidential burden26
in relation to the matters mentioned in s (3) (see Criminal Code, s 58).27