Spence: New laws passed to clean up graffiti across Queensland

New laws to allow for the rapid removal of graffiti were passed by State Parliament last night.

Police Minister Judy Spence said: “The Summary Offences (Graffiti Removal Powers) Amendment Bill allows authorised government and council officers to remove graffiti that is in a public place or readily visible from a public place.

“As graffiti is often done on industrial sites and at deserted properties, making contact with owners can be extremely difficult.

“A number of local councils and Queensland Rail have raised concerns about their inability to contact occupiers of these premises to obtain consent for entry.

“In recognition of these problems, I have extended the application of graffiti removal powers to any graffiti readily visible from a public place.

“These provisions will allow graffiti removal officers to remove the public eyesore.

“Graffiti removal officers will not have authorisation to enter the actual premises associated with a graffiti offence, unless seeking consent or leaving a notice with the owner.

“The owner will then have the opportunity to respond and raise an objection to the graffiti removal.

“Should no objection be raised after 14 days, it is deemed that the owner’s consent was given and a graffiti removal officer may then enter the private land to remove the graffiti.

“Officers must have the consent of owners to enter the yards of homes to clean up graffiti.

“Research indicates that graffiti can cause residents to be more fearful of crime and encourage offenders to commit further crimes.

“Graffiti offences nearly always involve considerable and costly damage to the property of innocent people.

“Addressing the graffiti issue through these amendments will enhance the feeling of safety for members of the community by ensuring unsightly graffiti is removed more quickly.

“The vandals who consider their ‘tag’ to be a work of art can expect to see a freshly painted space where their rubbish once appeared.

“Graffiti removal officers will also be protected through the introduction of an offence, making it illegal to obstruct, intimidate, hinder or prevent an authorised officer from removing visible graffiti.

“This Bill will ensure that the fight against graffiti crime is effective and the negative perception created by graffiti-related offences among the Queensland community is minimised,” Ms Spence said.

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