The Law

Summary Offences Act 1953

21E—Knives in schools and public places

A person who, without lawful excuse, has possession of a knife in a school or public place is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty:

(a) for a first offence—$2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months;

(b) for a subsequent offence—$5 000 or imprisonment for 12 months.

…

21F—Prohibited weapons

(1) A person who—

(a) manufactures, sells, distributes, supplies or otherwise deals in, prohibited weapons; or

(b) uses or has possession of a prohibited weapon, is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty: $20 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.

(2) It is a defence to prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that the defendant was, in accordance with—

(a) Schedule 2; or

(b) a declaration made by the Minister under subsection (3), an exempt person in the circumstances of the alleged offence.

…

Schedule 2—Exempt persons—prohibited weapons

Part 2—Exemptions

7—Religious purposes

A person is an exempt person for the purposes of an offence of possession of a prohibited weapon under section 21F(1)(b) of this Act in relation to the possession of a knife (other than a butterfly knife, flick knife, push knife or trench knife) or dagger if—

(a) the person is a member of a religious group; and

(b) the person possesses, wears or carries the knife or dagger for the purpose of complying with the requirements of that religion.