Summary Offences Act 1981

19 Imitation of official documents

• (1) Every person is liable to a fine not exceeding $500 who issues or distributes or publicly exhibits or causes to be issued or distributed or publicly exhibited any document that is intended or is likely, by reason of its wording or appearance or in any other manner, to cause any person to believe, contrary to the fact, that—

  • (a) the document is an official document; or

  • (b) the document is or contains a copy of or an extract from an official document; or

  • (c) the document sets forth the substance of an official document.

  (2) In this section official document means a document issued by or with the authority of—

  • (a) Her Majesty; or

  • (b) the Governor-General; or

  • (c) the Executive Council; or

  • (d) any Minister or officer in the service of the Crown in his capacity as such; or

  • (e) any local or public authority; or

  • (f) any member or officer of any local or public authority in his capacity as such.

  Compare: 1927 No 35 s 21; 1967 No 154 s 2(1)