People who fail to produce a permit, licence or other required authorisation when requested by police could face fines of up to $500 or 12 months imprisonment under the proposed Police Bill 2026.
Clause 122 of the Bill gives police officers the power to stop and detain any person engaged in an activity that requires authorisation under any law and request proof that the activity is legally permitted.
The proposed legislation covers any situation where a permit, licence, certificate or other form of legal authorisation is required.
“A Police officer may stop and detain any person whom he or she sees doing an act for which a form of authorisation is required under the provisions of any law,” the Bill states.
If a person is unable to produce the required authorisation, police may arrest them without a warrant.
However, the Bill provides an alternative to immediate arrest if the individual provides their personal details and the officer is satisfied they will respond to any future summons or legal proceedings.
The legislation also creates a specific offence for failing to comply with a police request to produce the required authorisation.
A person convicted of the offence could be fined up to $500, sentenced to up to 12 months imprisonment, or both.
The provision forms part of the wider Police Bill 2026, which seeks to modernise police powers and clarify procedures relating to law enforcement and public compliance.
The Bill will go for public consultations soon.
