What are the consequences of lying to a federal police officer?

In Plain English

It depends on the situation. Here's a breakdown based on the provided legislation:

  • Foreign Travel Documents: If you lie or provide misleading information when applying for a foreign travel document, you could face up to 10 years in prison or a hefty fine, according to the Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 2005.
  • AFP Appointees: If you're an AFP appointee and bankrupt, you must inform the Commissioner in writing and provide any required information about your bankruptcy, as stated in the Australian Federal Police Regulations 2018.
  • Inspector-General of Water Compliance: If you give false or misleading information to the Inspector-General of Water Compliance, you could face a civil penalty of 100 penalty units.
  • Northern Territory Criminal Code: Under the Criminal Code 2007 (NI), providing false or misleading information to the Administration or a person exercising a function under a law of the Territory can result in a penalty of 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year, or both.

Detailed Explanation

The consequences for lying to a federal police officer vary depending on the specific context and the relevant legislation. Here's a breakdown based on the provided documents:

  • Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 2005
    • Sections 18, 19, and 20 outline offences related to false or misleading statements, information, or documents provided in connection with applications for foreign travel documents. The penalty for these offences is imprisonment for up to 10 years or 1,000 penalty units, or both.
    • It's important to note that subsection 18(2), subsection 19(2), and subsection 20(2) provide a defence if the false or misleading information is not a "material particular." The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to these matters.
  • Australian Federal Police Regulations 2018
    • Section 30 states that a bankrupt AFP appointee must advise the Commissioner in writing as soon as practicable and provide any information about the bankruptcy required by the Commissioner. While the regulations don't explicitly state a penalty for lying, failing to provide accurate information could lead to disciplinary action under the Australian Federal Police Act 1979.
  • Water Legislation Amendment (Inspector-General of Water Compliance and Other Measures) Act 2021
    • Subsection 222D(7) outlines a civil penalty for giving false or misleading information to the Inspector-General, with a penalty of 100 penalty units.
  • Criminal Code 2007 (NI)
    • Section 216 outlines offences related to giving false or misleading information to the Administration or a person exercising a function under a law of the Territory. The penalty for these offences is 100 penalty units, imprisonment for 1 year, or both.

It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and other legislation may also be relevant depending on the specific circumstances.