This report is in response to a request for the Commission to 'to inquire into and report on the laws relating to the use of penalty notices in NSW.'

New South Wales Law Reform Commission, Penalty notices (Report No 132, February 2012)

Offensive conduct and language offences in New South Wales aim to regulate public behaviour by enforcing community standards. However, these laws rely on broad police discretion, which has led to disproportionate impacts on Aboriginal people, especially in regional areas. This has prompted continued calls for law reform.