In this e-Brief Roy Jordan provides background on the history of sedition as a Commonwealth criminal offence. Some examples of past sedition prosecutions are given.

Proposals for reform in the early 1990s are outlined as well as the controversial amendments which were made during 2005.

On 2 March 2006, the attorney-general announced a review of sedition laws would be conducted and it is intended that this e-brief will be updated as needed.