Fines ‘last resort’ as name law passes

A LAW that would penalise repeat offenders who misrepresent the names of places has passed Parliament’s Lower House.

The Place Names Bill was subject to extensive discussions in the House of Assembly in recent days.

Much of the debate centred around the penalty provisions, which Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett said would be used only as a last resort.

Fines of up to $8400 apply for offenders, but Mr Barnett said this could apply if people misrepresented a place name to deliberately mislead or deceive.

Examples were given about how the Bill could be enacted if a person wrongly listed a property as being for sale in a neighbouring suburb perceived to be more affluent than the one in which it was located. Key concerns when the legislation was first introduced centred around how the Bill would treat the use of traditional Aboriginal place names.

An amendment to the wording of the penalty provisions clause specified that the use of traditional, colloquial or comedic names would not constitute a breach of the Act, when used “in good faith”.

Mr Barnett said the word traditional was appropriate and broad enough to cover Aboriginal names.

Initial opponents to the legislation, including Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor, said they were satisfied with the amendments.

The Bill would abolish the independent Nomenclature Board and create a Place Names Advisory Panel and a Registrar of Place Names.

Guy Barnett