NSW graffiti laws to also outlaw hopscotch squares

Updated

Young hopscotch aficionados could become unwitting criminals under proposed new anti-graffiti laws in New South Wales.

The legislation, which has been introduced to the NSW Parliament, makes it an offence to intentionally mark any premises or other property without the permission of the owner.

Greens MP David Shoebridge says there is no requirement in the legislation for a mark to be permanent or difficult to remove.

He says that means it will technically outlaw things like chalk hopscotch squares or handball courts drawn on footpaths or bitumen.

"Unless the kids get the consent of the local council they're committing an offence," Mr Shoebridge said.

"This Government is going to be putting on the statute books laws that make it an offence not just for kids to chalk a hopscotch court on the footpath, but for Mr Stace to have chalked 'Eternity', or for a street artist to put a rainbow crossing on the road.

"This will now all become criminal activity. If children get caught by police they'll be facing a $440 fine. Now that's just nonsense."

Attorney-General Greg Smith has downplayed the impact of the new legislation while apparently acknowledging that drawing in chalk will technically be an offence.

He says police always have discretion about whether to lay charges and he considers it unlikely they would charge children for chalking up hopscotch squares.

Topics: crime, states-and-territories, state-parliament, nsw

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