Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Act 1994

A person who makes a false or misleading representation for the purpose of inducing another person to—

sell or purchase land or a business; or

engage the first mentioned person or a third person to act as an agent in the sale or purchase of land or a business; or

enter into any contract or arrangement in connection with the sale or purchase of land or a business, is guilty of an offence. Maximum penalty: Maximum penalty: $20 000 or imprisonment for 1 year.

In proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), it is not necessary for the prosecution to establish that the defendant knew the representation to be false or misleading, but it is a defence for the defendant to prove that he or she had reasonable ground to believe, and did believe, the representation to be true.