UNLAWFUL ASSOCIATIONS.

No. 41 of 1916.

An Act relating to Unlawful Associations and Members thereof and certain offences.

[Assented to 21st December, 1916.]

Preamble.

WHEREAS an Association known as the Industrial Workers of the World and members thereof have been concerned in advocating and inciting to the commission of divers crimes and offences:

And whereas it is expedient for the effective prosecution of the present war that laws shall be enacted for the suppression of such practices:

Be it therefore enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows :—

Short title.

1. This Act may be cited as the Unlawful Associations Act 1916.

Duration.

2. This Act shall continue in force for the duration of the present war and a period of six months thereafter, but no longer.

Unlawful associations.

3. The following are hereby declared to be unlawful associations, namely:—

(a) The association known as the Industrial Workers of the World; and

(b) Any association which, by its constitution or propaganda, advocates or encourages, or incites or instigates to, the taking or endangering of human life, or the destruction or injury of property.

Advocating or inciting to crime.

4. Whoever advocates or encourages, or incites or instigates to the taking or endangering of human life, or the destruction or injury of property, shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalty: Imprisonment for six months.

Members of unlawful association advocating or inciting to acts impeding warlike preparations.

5. Whoever, being a member of an unlawful association, advocates or encourages, or incites or instigates to, any action intended or calculated to prevent or hinder the production, manufacture or transport, for purposes connected with the war, of troops, arms, munitions, or warlike material, including foodstuffs, shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalty: Imprisonment for six months.

Deportation.

6. Any person, not being a natural-born British subject born in Australia, who is convicted of an offence under either of the last two preceding sections, shall be liable, in addition to the punishment imposed upon him for the offence, and either during or upon the expiration of his term of imprisonment, to be deported from the Commonwealth pursuant to any order of the Attorney-General.

Printing or publishing matter inciting to crime.

7. Any person who prints or publishes any writing advocating or encouraging, or inciting or instigating to, the taking or endangering of human life or the destruction or injury of property, shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalty: Imprisonment for six months.

Regulations.

8. The Governor-General may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing all matters which by this Act are required or permitted to be prescribed, or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed, for giving effect to this Act.