Defamatory email writers go free

[Matthew X]

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/08/26/1030053026302.html
Copycat offences feared after defamatory email writers go free
Brisbane
August 26 2002
Copycat offences were escalating after the culprits of malicious emails 
defaming a Brisbane High School principal and his deputy escaped 
investigation, the Queensland Opposition has said.
Shadow Attorney-General Lawrence Springborg has criticised the government 
over Queensland legal blocks to police investigating a false website which 
accused the pair of child abuse.
Both teachers remain on stress leave despite being cleared of any wrongdoing.
Queensland Attorney-General Rod Welford earlier said Victorian law was 
hampering the investigation into who produced the Website, which allegedly 
emanated at a Victorian address.
But Mr Springborg said Queensland law prevented Victorian police from 
securing a warrant to search the Victorian premises believed to be the 
source of the Website.
He tabled a letter in Parliament from Queensland Police Commissioner Bob 
Atkinson in which he said Queensland law was the problem.
"Victorian police advise that a search warrant cannot be obtained as the 
offence committed is classified as a summary offence (in Queensland)," Mr 
Atkinson said in the letter.
Today, Mr Springborg said the law needed changing so others did not fall 
prey to malicious gossip.
"There are more complaints about obscene emails from teachers at Brisbane 
public high schools, falsely claiming to be from their workmates," Mr 
Springborg said.
"(The government) must take heed of the opposition's warning and provide a 
sufficient criminal deterrent for people who continue to spread malicious 
lies and gossip about other people."
Mr Springborg is drafting a private members' bill to make defamation a 
criminal offence with a five year jail term.
He said the Victorian law was five times stronger than Queensland law and 
if applied could have seen warrants issued against offenders.
He blamed the Goss Labor government for taking defamation out of the 
Queensland criminal code.
"The Goss Labor government weakened the defamation laws in 1995 and these 
recent cases prove that the decision was a massive mistake," Mr Springborg 
said.

"In the age of the Internet, we are all increasingly vulnerable."