Vorgeschlagene Änderungen der Gesetze über Ordnungswidrigkeiten und Anti-Diskriminierung
Sign the petition: https://www.change.org/summary_offences
Proposed by Vincent Marty, Founder – NaturismRE
Email: [email protected] | M: 0494 164 815 | www.naturismre.com
Petition Summary:
We call upon State and Federal legislators to support amendments to the Summary Offences Act and Anti-Discrimination Act that clarify the legal status of peaceful public nudity and protect individuals who lawfully embrace naturism from unfair treatment and discrimination.
Full Petition Text:
To Members of Parliament, Ministers for Justice, Human Rights Commissions, and Local Government Authorities,
We, the undersigned, respectfully urge you to support the proposed amendments below, drafted and submitted by Vincent Marty, Founder of NaturismRE, to bring clarity, fairness, and modern legal recognition to the rights of naturists in Australia.
SECTION A – Summary Offences Act (State Jurisdiction)
Objective:
To ensure that peaceful, lawful naturist conduct is not misclassified as criminal behaviour under current legislation.
Key Proposals:
Section X – Lawful Naturist Activity
Recognise that public nudity, when peaceful and non-sexual, should not automatically be deemed offensive or indecent.Permit non-sexual nudity in areas where it is legally permitted, culturally accepted, or designated as clothing-optional.
Clearly differentiate between indecent acts and lawful naturist expression.
Section Y – Clothing-Optional Zones
Empower local councils to formally designate clothing-optional areas via public consultation and proper signage, enhancing safety and clarity for all community members.Section Z – Guidelines for Law Enforcement
Provide clear training and operational guidelines to ensure officers can distinguish between criminal conduct and lawful naturist behaviour. Require that all fines or arrests related to nudity be documented and reviewed for lawful compliance.
SECTION B – Anti-Discrimination Act (State and Federal Jurisdictions)
Objective:
To recognise lawful naturist expression and participation in the naturist lifestyle as protected from discrimination under the law.
Key Proposals:
Section X – Lifestyle-Based Discrimination Protection
Prohibit discrimination against individuals who lawfully engage in naturism, including unfair denial of services, accommodation, employment, or educational opportunities.Section Y – Definitions
Clearly define the naturist lifestyle as a peaceful, non-sexual practice based on principles of self-acceptance, connection to nature, and simplicity.Section Z – Complaint and Redress Mechanism
Enable affected individuals to lodge complaints through Human Rights Commissions or Anti-Discrimination Boards, with access to legal redress and public correction if required.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Current laws across Australia often treat non-sexual public nudity as inherently indecent or offensive, leaving peaceful naturists vulnerable to legal misinterpretation, fines, arrest, and social persecution. These proposed amendments do not legalise public indecency—they provide legal clarity and boundaries, supporting local communities in making informed decisions about clothing-optional spaces and offering naturists the same dignity and protections granted to others.
Laws evolve to reflect society’s values. In an inclusive, respectful, and body-positive Australia, it is time we stop equating nudity with indecency and recognise naturism as a valid, lawful, and meaningful lifestyle for many.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Sign this petition to support:
Clearer, fairer public decency laws
The establishment of clothing-optional zones
Legal protection for lawful naturists against discrimination
The right to peaceful body freedom without fear of prosecution
Let’s bring Australian legislation in line with human rights, modern values, and community diversity.
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SECTION A – SUMMARY OFFENCES ACT (State Jurisdiction)
1. Amendment Objective
To clarify the legal status of non-sexual public nudity and ensure that peaceful, lawful naturist activity is not automatically classified as indecent or offensive behaviour.
2. Proposed Insertions
Section X – Lawful Naturist Activity (1) A person shall not be guilty of an offence under this Act for being nude in a public place, provided that: (a) The nudity is non-sexual in nature; (b) The conduct occurs in an area where nudity is either permitted, traditionally accepted, or clearly signposted as clothing-optional; (c) The person does not engage in lewd, aggressive, or harassing behaviour.
(2) Nudity alone shall not constitute indecent exposure or offensive behaviour under this Act.
Section Y – Clothing-Optional Zones (1) Local councils may designate specific public areas as clothing-optional by resolution, subject to public consultation and environmental assessment. (2) Proper signage must be installed at entry points to notify the public of the zone’s clothing-optional status. (3) A person lawfully nude in a designated area shall not be arrested or fined for public nudity.
Section Z – Guidelines for Law Enforcement (1) Officers must be trained to distinguish between lawful naturist expression and criminal indecency. (2) Arrests or fines for nudity must include written justification, reviewed for compliance with this section.
SECTION B – ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ACT (State and Federal Jurisdictions)
1. Amendment Objective
To recognise lawful naturist expression and lifestyle as a protected attribute under anti-discrimination law.
2. Proposed Insertions
Section X – Protection from Lifestyle-Based Discrimination (1) It is unlawful to discriminate against a person on the basis of their lawful participation in a naturist or clothing-optional lifestyle.
(2) Discrimination includes but is not limited to: (a) Refusal of service, accommodation, or employment; (b) Dismissal, harassment, or unjust penalties in educational or professional settings; (c) Vilification, public shaming, or digital abuse due to public awareness of the individual’s lifestyle.
Section Y – Definitions (1) Naturist lifestyle refers to the peaceful, non-sexual practice of social or individual nudity, typically grounded in principles of body acceptance, nature connection, and simplicity. (2) Lawful naturist expression includes nudity practiced within designated areas or in a manner compliant with local law and cultural tradition.
Section Z – Complaint and Redress Mechanism (1) Individuals may file discrimination complaints with relevant Human Rights Commissions or Anti-Discrimination Boards. (2) Legal recourse may include compensation, policy change orders, and public correction notices where appropriate.
EXPLANATORY NOTES (Non-legislative)
These amendments modernise outdated interpretations of nudity in public space, drawing a clear distinction between peaceful naturist conduct and criminal indecency. They also recognise the need for legislative protection against lifestyle-based discrimination, allowing individuals who embrace body freedom to live without fear of legal or social reprisal—so long as their conduct is lawful and respectful.