Defamation (Amendment) Act 1978 (NSW)

D E F A M A T I O N ( A M E N D M E N T ) A C T , 1978 , N o . 7 9

A N N O V I C E S I M O S E P T T M O

ELIZABETHE II REGINE

Act N o . 7 9 , 1978 .

An Act to amend the Defamation Act, 1974, with respect to certain reports relating to the Police Force. [Assented to, 11th September, 1978.]

BE it enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly of New South Wales in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows :—

1. This Act may be cited as the "Defamation (Amendment)

Act, 1978".

2. (1) This section and section 1 shall commence on the

date of assent to this Act.

(2) Except as provided by subsection ( 1 ) , this Act shall
commence on the day appointed and notified under section 2 (2)
of the Police Regulation (Allegations of Misconduct) Act, 1978.

3 .       The Defamation Act, 1974, is amended—

(a)	by inserting in section 17A (3) after the matter "1974" the matter ", or section 6 (2) of the Police. Regulation (Allegations of Misconduct) Act, 1978";
(b)	by omitting from section 17A (4) the words "or a report under that Act" and by inserting instead "or
under section 32 (3) or 45 (5) of the Police Regulation (Allegations of Misconduct) Act, 1978, of a report";
(c)	by inserting at the end of section 17A the following subsection:—

(6) There is a defence of absolute privilege for the publication, under the authority of the Minister for the time being administering the Police Regulation (Allega­ tions of Misconduct) Act, 1978, of a copy of a report previously made public under section 32 (3) or 45 (5) of that Act.

(d) by inserting in clause 2 (10) of Schedule 2 after the matter "1974" the matter ", or under section 32 (3) or 45 (5) of the Police Regulation (Allegations of Misconduct) Act. 1978".