Protection of Word "Anzac" Act 1920

Administered by Department of Veterans' Affairs

Legislation au C1920A00054 In force Act

Legislation content

Protection of Word “Anzac” Act 1920

No. 54, 1920 as amended

Compilation start date:  28 February 2014

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 5, 2014

 

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Protection of Word “Anzac” Act 1920 as in force on 28 February 2014. It includes any commenced amendment affecting the legislation to that date.

This compilation was prepared on 7 March 2014.

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of each amended provision.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not reflected in the text of the compiled law but the text of the amendments is included in the endnotes.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If a provision of the compiled law is affected by a modification that is in force, details are included in the endnotes.

Provisions ceasing to have effect

If a provision of the compiled law has expired or otherwise ceased to have effect in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

1 Short title

22 Regulations

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments [none]

Endnote 6—Modifications [none]

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments [none]

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous [none]

 

An Act to provide for the protection of the word “Anzac”, and for related purposes

1  Short title

  This Act may be cited as the Protection of Word “Anzac” Act 1920.

22  Regulations

 (1) The GovernorGeneral may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing matters providing for and in relation to:

 (e) prohibiting or regulating the use of the word “Anzac” or any word resembling the word “Anzac”; and

 (g) penalties not exceeding a fine of $1,000 for breaches of regulations made under this section.

 (2) The penalty, upon conviction, for a breach of subregulation 2(1) of the Protection of Word “Anzac” Regulations involving the assumption or use of the word “Anzac” or any word resembling the word “Anzac” in connection with any trade, business, calling or profession or in connection with any entertainment or any lottery or art union or as the name or part of the name of a private residence, boat, vehicle, charitable or other institution, or any building in connection therewith, is imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months.

 (3) The penalty, upon conviction, for a breach of subregulation 3(1) of the Protection of Word “Anzac” Regulations involving the use of the word “Anzac”, or any word resembling the word “Anzac” as the name or part of the name of a street, road or park is imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide details of the history of this legislation and its provisions. The following endnotes are included in each compilation:

 

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments

Endnote 6—Modifications

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous

 

If there is no information under a particular endnote, the word “none” will appear in square brackets after the endnote heading.

 

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key in this endnote sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

 

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

 

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended the compiled law. The information includes commencement information for amending laws and details of application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

 

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision level. It also includes information about any provisions that have expired or otherwise ceased to have effect in accordance with a provision of the compiled law.

 

Uncommenced amendments—Endnote 5

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not reflected in the text of the compiled law but the text of the amendments is included in endnote 5.

 

Modifications—Endnote 6

If the compiled law is affected by a modification that is in force, details of the modification are included in endnote 6.

 

Misdescribed amendments—Endnote 7

An amendment is a misdescribed amendment if the effect of the amendment cannot be incorporated into the text of the compilation. Any misdescribed amendment is included in endnote 7.

 

Miscellaneous—Endnote 8

Endnote 8 includes any additional information that may be helpful for a reader of the compilation.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

pres = present

am = amended

prev = previous

c = clause(s)

(prev) = previously

Ch = Chapter(s)

Pt = Part(s)

def = definition(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

Dict = Dictionary

Reg = Regulation/Regulations

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

Div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

exp = expired or ceased to have effect

rep = repealed

hdg = heading(s)

rs = repealed and substituted

LI = Legislative Instrument

s = section(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

mod = modified/modification

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

No = Number(s)

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

o = order(s)

SR = Statutory Rules

Ord = Ordinance

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

orig = original

SubPt = Subpart(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

/subsubparagraph(s)

 

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Act

Number and year

Assent

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1920

54, 1920

2 Dec 1920

2 Dec 1920

 

War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1921

36, 1921

22 Dec 1921

22 Dec 1921

War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1922

39, 1922

18 Oct 1922

18 Oct 1922

War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1923

34, 1923

1 Sept 1923

1 Sept 1923

War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1928

23, 1928

22 June 1928

22 June 1928

Statute Law Revision Act 1934

45, 1934

6 Aug 1934

6 Aug 1934

Crimes Act 1955

10, 1955

31 May 1955

31 May 1955

Migration Act 1958

62, 1958

8 Oct 1958

Parts I, II and IV: 1 June 1959 (see Gazette 1959, p. 1831)
Part III: 10 Nov 1958 (see Gazette 1958, p. 3857)

s. 4(4) and (5)

Statute Law Revision (Decimal Currency) Act 1966

93, 1966

29 Oct 1966

1 Dec 1966

Statute Law Revision Act 1973

216, 1973

19 Dec 1973

31 Dec 1973

ss. 9(1) and 10

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1985

65, 1985

5 June 1985

s. 3: 3 July 1985

Social Security and Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment Act (No. 4) 1989

164, 1989

19 Dec 1989

s. 134: Royal Assent (a)

Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Act 2014

5, 2014

28 Feb 2014

Sch 1 (items 62–67): Royal Assent

 

(a) The Protection of Word “Anzac” Act 1920 was amended by section 134 only of the Social Security and Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment Act (No. 4) 1989, section 2 of which provides as follows:

 2 Each provision of this Act commences, or is to be taken to have commenced, as the case requires, on the day, or at the time, shown by the note in italics at the foot of that provision.

 Section 134 commenced on 19 December 1989.

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Title....................

am No 5, 2014

s 1.....................

am No 5, 2014

s 2.....................

rep No 5, 2014

Heading preceding s. 3........

rep. No. 45, 1934

s. 3.....................

rep. No. 45, 1934

Heading preceding s. 4........

rep. No. 45, 1934

s. 4.....................

rep. No. 45, 1934

Heading preceding s. 5........

rep. No. 45, 1934

s. 5.....................

rep. No. 45, 1934

Heading preceding s. 6........

rep. No. 45, 1934

s. 6.....................

rep. No. 45, 1934

Heading preceding s. 7........

rep. No. 45, 1934

s. 7.....................

am. No. 36, 1921; No. 39, 1922; No. 34, 1923

 

rep. No. 45, 1934

s. 8.....................

rep. No. 23, 1928

Heading preceding s. 9........

rep. No. 62, 1958

s. 9.....................

rep. No. 62, 1958

Heading preceding s. 10.......

rep. No. 45, 1934

s. 10....................

rep. No. 45, 1934

hdg preceding s 11..........

rep No 5, 2014

s 11....................

rep No 5, 2014

s 12....................

rep No 5, 2014

s 13....................

rep No 5, 2014

hdg preceding s 14..........

rep No 5, 2014

ss. 14–17.................

rep. No. 45, 1934

Heading to s. 18............

rep. No. 10, 1955

s. 18....................

rep. No. 10, 1955

Heading preceding s. 19.......

rep. No. 45, 1934

s. 19....................

rep. No. 36, 1921

hdg preceding s 20..........

rep No 5, 2014

ss. 20, 21.................

rep. No. 10, 1955

s. 22....................

am. No. 93, 1966; No. 216, 1973; No. 65, 1985; No. 164, 1989

The Schedule..............

rep. No. 62, 1958

 

Endnote 5—Uncommenced amendments [none]

Endnote 6—Modifications [none]

Endnote 7—Misdescribed amendments [none]

Endnote 8—Miscellaneous [none]

 

Overview

The Protection of Word “Anzac” Act 1920, enacted by the Australian Parliament, was introduced to address the problem of the misuse and commercialisation of the word "Anzac". The term "Anzac" stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and holds significant historical and cultural value for Australians, particularly in connection with the Anzac Day commemorations. The policy objective of the Act is to safeguard the sanctity of the term "Anzac" by prohibiting or regulating its use in a manner that may disrespect or commercialise it. The Act empowers the Governor-General to make regulations that prescribe matters for the protection of the word "Anzac" and any word resembling it. Breaches of these regulations may result in penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

Scope and Application

The Protection of Word “Anzac” Act 1920 applies to prohibiting or regulating the use of the word “Anzac” or any word resembling the word “Anzac” in various contexts, including trade, business, calling, profession, entertainment, lottery, art union, or as the name or part of the name of a private residence, boat, vehicle, charitable or other institution, or any building in connection therewith. The Act also extends to prohibiting the use of the word “Anzac” or any word resembling the word “Anzac” as the name or part of the name of a street, road, or park. The geographic or jurisdictional reach of the Act is Commonwealth, as it is an Australian federal law. The Act does not provide any stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds. However, the Governor-General may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing matters providing for and in relation to the above-mentioned prohibitions and regulations, including penalties not exceeding a fine of $1,000 for breaches of regulations made under this section. The Act extends its application through subordinate instruments, such as regulations, which can provide further detail on the prohibited uses and penalties for breaches.

Key Provisions

The Protection of Word “Anzac” Act 1920 (section 2) empowers the Governor-General to make regulations that prohibit or regulate the use of the word "Anzac" or any word resembling "Anzac". The Act also sets out the penalties for breaches of these regulations, which may include fines of up to $1,000 (subsection 2(1)(e)) and imprisonment for up to 12 months (subsection 2(1)(g)). These regulations cover a variety of uses, including commercial activities, entertainment, and the naming of residences, vehicles, or institutions. The Act imposes obligations on those subject to its regulations, requiring compliance with the rules governing the use of "Anzac". This includes refraining from using the word "Anzac" or any similar word in any trade, business, or profession, as well as in entertainment, lotteries, art unions, or as part of the name of a private residence, boat, vehicle, charitable or other institution, or any building (subsection 2(1)(g)). Additionally, the Act restricts the use of "Anzac" or similar words in the naming of streets, roads, or parks (subsection 2(3)(1)). Breaches of the regulations made under the Protection of Word “Anzac” Act 1920 can result in significant penalties. For instance, the penalty for using "Anzac" in connection with trade, business, entertainment, or as part of the name of a residence, vehicle, or institution can be imprisonment for up to 12 months (subsection 2(1)(g)). Similarly, using "Anzac" or a similar word as the name of a street, road, or park can also result in imprisonment for up to 12 months (subsection 2(3)(1)). These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the Act's provisions and regulations.

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Act
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Definitions & Interpretation
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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.