Prison for pretenders

IMPERSONATORS who falsely claim to be from, or acting on behalf of, a federal government agency could face up to two years’ jail under proposed new laws.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan yesterday introduced legislation that makes it a criminal offence to impersonate a Commonwealth entity.

It comes after Labor’s ‘‘Mediscare’’ campaign during the last federal election. Mr Keenan said trust in the legitimacy of government statements was “essential to a well-functioning democracy’’.