Cyber stalkers to face prison

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USING the Internet, e-mail or mobile phone text messages to harass people will be outlawed in Tasmania.

In an Australian-first, Tasmania's Criminal Code will be amended to include the latest forms of communication, with a bill to be introduced into Parliament soon.

The newest member of the State Government, David Bartlett, who worked in the IT industry, announced the move yesterday.

He said Tasmanians found to be breaching the state's new "cyber stalking" laws could face up to 21 years' jail.

"Cyber stalking can be broadly defined as harassment, intimidation or even impersonation using electronic media such as the Internet, SMS text messages and, of course, e-mails," Mr Bartlett said.

"It's an emerging problem that is difficult to quantify, but it can have a massive impact on individuals."

Mr Bartlett said there was a unit of Tasmania Police that dealt specifically with electronic crimes and it would be involved in gathering evidence of offending e-mails, SMS or other hi-tech harassment.

Tasmania would be the first Australian state to introduce such laws but, Mr Bartlett agreed, they will have little power in cases where the harassment occurred across state or international borders.

He said the laws would help stamp out cyber-stalking within Tasmania while providing a deterrent Australia-wide.

Meanwhile, he said other state governments would be lobbied to enact uniform legislation.

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