Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The measure would close gaps in the current rules on intimate-image abuse by covering fake or altered sexual images made with computer graphics, including deepfakes. It would make it an offence to create such an image without consent for the purpose of sharing it, and also to encourage, help or cause someone else to make one for that purpose. It would also treat social media services more strictly where their tools are used to generate these images, and set penalties of up to a €A fine or 12 months on summary conviction, or up to seven years on indictment.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend the law relating to the recording, distribution or publication of intimate images so as to extend its provisions to images that are generated or modified by computer-graphics; for that purpose to amend the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020; and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 5 February 2026