Draft Bill: Australian Public Decency and Nudity Clarification Bill

Introduction the Nudity and Naturism Development Bill

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Australia has long been celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, progressive values, and rich cultural diversity. With this in mind, the Public Nudity and Naturism Development Bill represents a bold step towards embracing inclusivity, fostering freedom of expression, and unlocking the immense economic and social potential of naturism.

This Bill aims to establish Australia as the global leader in naturism by creating a legal framework that supports clothing-optional spaces, promotes naturist tourism, and ensures that naturism can flourish harmoniously within our communities. By recognising the natural human form as part of our cultural and individual identity, this legislation encourages a positive relationship with body image, equality, and environmental mindfulness.

Beyond its cultural and social benefits, this Bill is poised to generate substantial economic growth. By supporting naturist-friendly infrastructure, tourism, and local industries, it paves the way for new opportunities in regional development, hospitality, wellness, and eco-tourism, all while contributing billions of dollars annually to the national economy.

We invite you to read the full text of the Bill below and join us in supporting this transformative initiative. Together, we can build a future where naturism is celebrated, opportunities are expanded, and Australia reaffirms its place as a global leader in freedom, sustainability, and innovation.

Find out who are the supporters of the Australia public decency & nudity Bill by clicking the above image

DRAFT BILL
AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC DECENCY AND NUDITY CLARIFICATION BILL
An Act to Amend Relevant Legislation to Differentiate Between Public Nudity and Lewd Behaviour to Promote Clarity, Protection, and Inclusivity Across Australia

Where the Petition Will Be Sent:

State Parliaments – To introduce or advocate for reforms that differentiate public nudity from lewd behaviour.
State Attorneys-General (Council of Attorneys-General, Australia) – To review inconsistencies in nudity laws across states.
Federal Government Ministers – To encourage national policy guidelines on public nudity laws.
Governor-General of Australia – To consider the issue in future legal reforms.

The issue Australian Public Decency and Nudity Clarification Bill Draft Bill Update Notice Following legal review and policy refinement, the accompanying Draft Australian Public Decency and Nudity Clarification Bill has undergone minor technical amendments to improve legal clarity, enforceability, and alignment with human-rights review processes.

These refinements do not alter the purpose, scope, or intent of the petition and do not affect any existing signatures. All existing petition signatures continue to apply in full.   Australian Public Decency and Nudity Clarification BillAn Act to Amend Relevant Legislation to Differentiate Between Public Nudity and Lewd Behaviour to Promote Clarity, Protection, and Inclusivity Across Australia Preamble

This Act recognises that non-sexual public nudity is distinct from lewd or obscene behaviour.

Its purpose is to improve legal clarity, protect individual freedoms, and ensure respectful coexistence in public spaces while preserving public order and safeguarding against harmful conduct.

Part 1 - Preliminary1. Title This Act may be cited as the Public Decency and Nudity Clarification Act.

2. Commencement This Act commences on the day it receives Royal Assent.

3. Definitions Public nudity means the state of being unclothed in public spaces without sexual intent. Lewd behaviour means actions or conduct intended to sexually arouse, harass, or intimidate others. Designated clothing-optional areas mean public spaces lawfully recognised for non-sexual nudity. Non-participating observer means a person present who does not intend to participate in nudity.

4. Objectives This Act seeks to clearly distinguish nudity from lewd behaviour, protect lawful conduct, preserve penalties for harmful acts, and promote respectful coexistence.

Part 2 - Public Nudity and Lewd Behaviour

5. Lawful Public Nudity Public nudity is lawful within designated clothing-optional areas or where not otherwise prohibited by law.

Public nudity is not lawful when accompanied by lewd behaviour or where expressly prohibited.

6. Prohibition of Lewd Behaviour Lewd behaviour in public spaces is prohibited and subject to penalties under existing law.

Part 3 - Designation of Clothing-Optional Areas

7. National Guidance Framework States and territories may establish guidelines for the designation of clothing-optional areas. Designations should be clearly communicated and periodically reviewed.

8. Community Consultation Local authorities are encouraged to consult communities prior to designation.

Part 4 - Rights and Responsibilities

9. Protections Individuals lawfully practising non-sexual nudity are protected from harassment and arbitrary enforcement.

10. Responsibilities Individuals practising public nudity must conduct themselves in a respectful, non-harassing manner toward non-participating observers.

Part 5 - Enforcement

11. Complaint Handling Complaints must distinguish between lawful nudity and prohibited conduct.

12. Penalties Existing penalties under criminal and summary offence laws remain applicable.

Part 6 - General Provisions

13. Education and Awareness Governments may support education initiatives clarifying the distinction between nudity and lewd behaviour.

14. Review This Act should be reviewed five years after commencement.    

ANNEXES (Non-binding - contextual and interpretive support only)

SCHEDULE 1 - NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR DESIGNATED CLOTHING-OPTIONAL AREAS Purpose This Schedule provides national guidance for the structured and lawful designation of clothing-optional areas. It supports consistency, legal clarity, and public understanding while preserving public order and local discretion.

This Schedule does not create mandatory obligations.

Guiding Principles Designated clothing-optional areas should operate under the following principles: Participation is voluntary and opt-in Areas are clearly signposted and publicly disclosed Nudity permitted is non-sexual by definition Existing public-order, harassment, and safety laws continue to apply

Non-participants retain freedom of movement and choice Safe Health Zones (SHZ) Designated clothing-optional areas may be recognised as Safe Health Zones (SHZ) where the primary purpose is health and wellbeing, including: Mental health support and stress reduction Heat management and natural thermoregulation Body acceptance and psychological wellbeing

Low-impact interaction with natural environments SHZ designation provides a health-based context for lawful non-sexual nudity and supports structured governance rather than ad-hoc enforcement.

Illustrative Area Classification For guidance only, authorities may consider the following classifications:

Tier A - Low-Conflict Natural Areas Remote or sparsely populated forests Outback and rural regions Remote rivers, creeks, lakes, and reserves

Tier B - Managed Public Areas Beaches Public parks Walking and hiking trails Public swimming facilities

Tier C - Private and Commercial Areas Private property Clothing-optional businesses, resorts, and retreats Local Discretion State, territory, and local authorities retain full discretion regarding: Area designation Conditions or limitations Review and modification processes

SCHEDULE 2 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONTEXT

This Schedule provides contextual background only and does not create enforceable rights or obligations.

Environmental Context The global clothing industry is a major contributor to: High water consumption Carbon emissions Textile waste Microplastic pollution In appropriate settings, reduced clothing use can: Lower demand for resource-intensive garments Reduce laundering, energy use, and waste Support sustainability and climate-adaptation goals

Public Health Context Peer-reviewed research associates non-sexual naturism with:

Improved body image and self-acceptance Reduced stress and anxiety Increased participation in outdoor physical activity Enhanced connection with nature Legal clarity enables safe, regulated access to these benefits rather than forcing individuals into legal uncertainty.

SCHEDULE 3 - ECONOMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONSIDERATIONS This Schedule outlines indicative considerations only and does not constitute financial projections or guarantees.

Administrative Efficiency Clear legal distinction between non-sexual nudity and lewd behaviour: Reduces enforcement ambiguity Improves consistency across jurisdictions Lowers unnecessary policing and court burden Tourism and Regional Development

Legal clarity supports: Eco-tourism and wellness tourism Regional and off-season travel Certainty for councils, insurers, and operators International experience indicates that regulated naturism can operate without increased public disorder.

Evaluation and Monitoring (SSM) Authorities may optionally apply Social Safety Metrics (SSM) to monitor: Complaint frequency Enforcement demand Safety outcomes Public satisfaction SSM is an evaluation tool only and does not create compliance obligations.   END OF ANNEXES

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