NSW Gov
The Minns Labor Government is continuing to ensure the service and sacrifice of our veterans is honoured and respected by increasing penalties for vandals who seriously damage war memorials.
The Government will this week introduce the Crimes Legislation Amendment (War Memorial Offences) Bill 2025 creating an aggravated offence of intentional or reckless property damage or destruction applying to war memorials.
It increases the maximum penalty from five to seven years' imprisonment for intentionally or recklessly damaging a war memorial.
The bill also amends the Summary Offences Act to allow the court to order a convicted person to pay up to $4,400 to compensate for any loss or damage they cause.
This discretionary order means local councils, RSLs or other community organisations that maintain war memorials will not have to foot the bill for remediation.
One war memorial desecrated is one too many. The NSW Government is making sure the courts have the toughest possible penalties available to deter this unacceptable behaviour.
The protection of our war memorials is vital. Local war memorials play a crucial role in honouring the service and sacrifice of all those who have served.
They provide a space for communities to gather, reflect and educate the next generation.
Attributable to the Attorney General:
"The Minns Labor Government is strengthening protections for war memorials which are integral to our veterans, their families and wider communities.
"This bill sends a clear message that the Government will not tolerate behaviour that causes damage to war memorials."
Attributable to the Minister for Veterans David Harris:
"This bill highlights the Minns Labor Government's commitment to honouring and protecting the service and sacrifice of our veterans.
"Our veterans should be celebrated, their memories do not deserve to be desecrated like we have been seeing across the state.
"Our communities are rightfully proud of their military history, and local war memorials allow us to reflect on many years of our veterans' service and sacrifice."
Attributable to RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge:
"RSL NSW and the greater NSW veteran community is grateful for the continued support of the Premier, the Attorney General and Minister Harris in ensuing that war memorials across the state are protected.
"Our war memorials are places for the community to remember and reflect on the service of thousands of Australians who, in many cases, paid the ultimate sacrifice for Australia.
"These new penalties are a clear indication that our Government is serious about the protection of our memorials and serious about their commitment to our veterans."
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