3Principal Act

### 3 Principal Act > In this Part, the [Sentencing Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-059) is referred to as the Principal Act. * **4.**    > The amendments effected by this section have been incorporated into the authorised version of the [Sentencing Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-059) . ** **5.**    > The amendments effected by this section have been incorporated into the authorised version of the [Sentencing Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-059) . ** **6.**    > The amendments effected by this section have been incorporated into the authorised version of the [Sentencing Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-059) . ** **7.**    > The amendment effected by this section has been incorporated into the authorised version of the [Sentencing Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-059) . * \[Uncommenced * **8.**    **[Section 23A](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-059#GS23A@EN) inserted** > Before [section 24 of the Principal Act](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-059#GS24@EN) , the following section is inserted in Division 4: > > > **23A.**   **Limitations on ability to suspend sentences** > > > > > A court must not, except in exceptional circumstances, make an order suspending the whole or part of a sentence of imprisonment if the sentence of imprisonment is imposed in relation to – > > > > > > > > (a) an offence, or an attempt to commit an offence, against a provision, specified in Column 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 3, of an Act, or of the Criminal Code, as specified in Column 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 3; or > > > > > > > > > (b) an offence, or an attempt to commit an offence, that is an offence – > > > > > > > > > > > > (i) against a provision, of the [Misuse of Drugs Act 2001](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2001-094) , specified in Column 2 of Part 2 of Schedule 3; and > > > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) that relates to a trafficable quantity, within the meaning of, and as determined under, that Act, of a controlled substance, within the meaning of that Act. * \]