Last updated 10 June 2022

The Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld) (Criminal Code) makes it a misdemeanour for a person to publish defamatory matter about another living person if they:

  • know the matter to be false or have no regard to whether the matter is true or false
  • intend to cause serious harm to the relevant person or any other person, or have no regard to whether serious harm to the relevant person or any other person is caused.

The maximum penalty is three years imprisonment (sch 1 s 365 Criminal Code).