This Sydney Morning Herald extract describes the second reading and debate in the NSW Legislative Assembly.

Vagrancy Prevention Bill 1862 (NSW) - Second reading and Hansard debate, Legislative Assembly, 1 August 1862

Consorting laws make it a crime to associate with people who have criminal records or who are perceived as threats to public safety. These laws aim to control public behaviour and purport to prevent crime. In practice, the enforcement of consorting laws has disproportionately impacted upon Aboriginal people.