4515.0 - Federal Defendants, Australia, 2012-13 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 05/06/2014   
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States and territories

Of all federal defendants finalised in Australia's criminal courts, more than one-third (35% or 3,621) appeared in New South Wales, one-quarter appeared in Victoria (25% or 2,611) and one-fifth in Queensland (20% or 2,052). (Table 10)

The most common principal federal offence defendants were finalised for in each of the states and territories was:

    • Offences against justice in Western Australia (44%),Tasmania (38%) and Queensland (30%);
    • Abduction, harassment and other offences against the person in New South Wales (30%) and Victoria (29%);
    • Fraud and deception in South Australia (35%) and the Northern Territory (27%); and
    • Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences in the Australian Capital Territory (79%). The offences in the Australian Capital Territory were largely parking offences charged under federal legislation (see Explanatory Notes, paragraph 53 for more detail). (Table 10)
Between 2011–12 and 2012–13, the number of finalised defendants decreased across most states and territories. This was driven by decreases in New South Wales (down by 245 defendants or 6%) and Queensland (down by 221 defendants or 10%). The number of finalised defendants increased in Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, by 10% and 18% respectively. (Table 9)