The Tasmanian Government has tabled the Defamation Amendment Bill 2024 in Parliament.
The Bill amends the Defamation Act 2005, to incorporate the Model Defamation Amendment Provisions agreed by the Standing Council of Attorneys-General.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Guy Barnett, said in recognition of the need for uniform defamation law in Australia, state and territory Attorneys-General endorsed the Model Defamation Provisions which each jurisdiction enacted through its own legislation.
"We are working hard to ensure Tasmania has a fit-for-purpose and efficient legal system under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future," the Attorney-General said.
"The Bill represents the second stage of defamation reforms introduced in recent years, following the commencement of the Defamation Amendment Act 2021.
"These new amendments aim to strike a better balance between the need to provide fair remedies for a person whose reputation is harmed by a publication and the need to ensure defamation laws do not place unreasonable limits on freedom of expression, particularly in the digital environment.
"The reforms also aim to address the chilling effect that the potential threat of defamation proceedings may have on people making reports of alleged criminal and unlawful conduct, or misconduct, to police and some other complaint-handling bodies.
"The amendments have been informed by detailed policy analysis and extensive public consultation, both nationally as well as a Tasmania specific consultation process inviting feedback on a draft of the Bill."
A fact sheet on the Defamation Amendment Bill 2024 is available on the Parliament website.
