VICTORIANS who spike people`s drinks risk up to two years` jail under new laws introduced in state parliament today.
The legislation makes it an offence to spike a person`s food or drink with alcohol or drugs, and aims to protect young people from harm and sexual assault.
"While we already have drink spiking offences, this legislation makes it an offence whether or not that drink is consumed,`` Attorney-General Rob Hulls said.
"Drink spiking will not be tolerated in Victoria and these laws carry a hefty maximum sentence of up to two years` jail, even if the drink is not consumed.``
Mr Hulls said Victoria had a range of offences governing drink spiking, from administrating intoxicating substances without consent or knowledge through to manslaughter and murder.
"The legislation will close a gap at the lower end of the offending spectrum and create a new summary offence,`` he said.
The legislation will also expand the existing offence of administering a drug with the intent of rendering a person incapable of resisting sexual penetration to include other sexual acts, like indecent assault.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years` jail.
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