Other changes target shoplifting, coward punches, trafficking, people smuggling
Paul Goldsmith, justice minister, has announced the passage in Parliament of the final reading of the Crimes Act Amendment Bill, which aims to add citizen arrest powers and otherwise overhaul the Crimes Act.
In the government’s news release, Goldsmith said he expected most of the legislation to take effect within a week.
“Our government is committed to fixing the basics in law and order, and that means ensuring retailers are being effectively protected, are empowered to stop offending, and that offenders are caught and deterred from doing it again,” he added.
Goldsmith emphasised that retail crime costs billions of dollars in total.
According to the government, in the changes to citizen arrest powers, the bill will:
The government’s news release explained that the Crimes Act Amendment Bill, introduced last December, will:
Regarding the changes for attacks against first responders, Goldsmith said: “Where others may flee, first responders and front-line corrections workers run towards danger to help those who need urgent assistance. Assaulting them puts multiple lives at risk, so there must be greater consequences for these terrible acts of violence.”
Regarding coward punches, he added, “We know how dangerous coward punches are. People can be killed or suffer lifelong brain injuries, yet perpetrators often receive lenient and insufficient sentences. That changes with this legislation.”
On Tuesday, Goldsmith highlighted that the Crimes Act Amendment Bill would commence its final reading this week.
Here are some other news stories involving the justice ministry.
Respondents to the Ministry of Justice’s targeted survey of court-appointed counsel – shared last month and covering lawyers for child, lawyers for subject person, lawyers to assist, lawyers for care recipients, and youth advocates – expressed concerns regarding remuneration levels.
The justice ministry announced in early June the temporary closures of the Dannevirke Courthouse from 5–25 June 2026, and again from 2–8 July 2026, for asbestos removal from the roof cavity and portions of the exterior.
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