The South Australian Government has unveiled draft legislation that would make it a crime to stalk or harass a police officer or their family simply because of their role. The proposed amendment, the Criminal Law Consolidation (Offences Against Public Officers) Amendment Bill 2025, would introduce a new offence carrying a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Currently, existing laws target stalking or threats against officers only when the conduct relates to their official duties. Under the new draft, the offence would apply even when the targeting is unrelated to work. Family members of officers would also be protected. The legislation also features a separate aggravated offence: committing a violent or threatening crime against an officer, knowing they are a police officer.
The Government says the change would simplify prosecutions by removing the need to prove the officer was acting in their official capacity at the time of the offending. Public consultation is now under way, with input sought from the South Australia Police (SAPOL), the Police Association and the legal profession.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said that South Australia is “incredibly well served by the highly professional men and women of SAPOL”. He added: “Our police officers have achieved this despite an increasingly challenging and complex environment. The officers who keep our community safe, deserve the right to be safe when they turn up to work, and when they come home to family. It is never ok for a police officer to be harassed or threatened for the work they do. This proposed new offence, with a tough penalty of up to ten years in jail, will send a clear message.”
Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the Government is “committed to ensuring that South Australian police officers who serve our community and keep us safe are also afforded that protection themselves. Every day, police officers put their own lives at risk to protect ours, and these reforms serve … as a clear warning to anyone who seeks to target them.”
Minister for Police Blair Boyer said: “Seeking to threaten, harass or intimidate the people who keep us safe is a type of offending that is simply beyond the pale and will not be tolerated by this Government. By toughening the penalties for people targeting South Australia police officers and their loved ones, we are ensuring the laws are in line with what the community would expect for such offending, and what our law enforcement officers deserve.”
The proposed offence comes amid a broader push by the Government to bolster policing resources in the state. The budget includes more than $172 million over six years to recruit an additional 326 sworn officers; by 2028-29 another 243 will have joined, and by 2030-31 a further 83. Additional investment covers infrastructure, regional security officers, pistol replacement, communications centre upgrades and future police property. The Government describes these as part of its commitment to giving police “the tools they need to continue keeping South Australians safe”.
From a legal perspective, the draft legislation addresses what the Government says is a gap: that current laws require a link to an officer’s duties, which can complicate prosecution. By creating a stand-alone offence for targeting an officer because of their role, the change is intended to strengthen deterrence.
However, this reform raises questions about how the new offence will be defined and applied. The requirement under the current laws to link conduct to official duties has been a procedural barrier; removing that link could broaden the scope of prosecution significantly. Critics might say that such broadening requires careful drafting to ensure it does not unintentionally capture conduct beyond the Government’s intent. While the Government emphasises protection for officers and their families, defenders of civil liberties may scrutinise how the legislation balances that objective with other rights, particularly if the offence is used in ways not originally anticipated.
There is also a policing-policy dimension worth noting. The move comes at a time when policing in South Australia is under increasing pressure from evolving crime types, resource demands and community expectations. By seeking tougher laws and enhanced resources in tandem, the Government signals a dual strategy: legal reform plus investment. Whether this combination proves effective will depend on implementation, operational culture, judicial interpretation and community reactions.
For community and legal stakeholders, the consultation period provides an opportunity to engage with the detail of how the offence will work in practice. Particular issues to watch will include:
- How the offence defines “targeting” an officer because of their role;
- The thresholds required for prosecution and sentencing;
- How the protection of family members is framed to avoid over-reach;
- Whether there are safeguards or review mechanisms built into the legislation;
- The broader impacts on the policing environment and relationships with community.
In sum, the Government’s proposed reforms aim to enhance the safety of police officers and their families and modernise legal tools. If adopted, they will mark a change in how stalking, harassment and violence directed at officers are addressed in South Australia. The success of the reform will depend not only on the strength of the law, but on its fair, transparent and consistent application in practice.
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