Section 6 — Defamation Act 2005 (NSW)

Tort of defamation

(1) This Act relates to the tort of defamation at general law.
(2) This Act does not affect the operation of the general law in relation to the tort of defamation except to the extent that this Act provides otherwise (whether expressly or by necessary implication).
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the general law as it is from time to time applies for the purposes of this Act as if the following legislation had never been enacted—
(a) the Defamation Act 1958,
(b) the Defamation Act 1974.

Sourced from the New South Wales Legislation website at 8 June 2026. For the latest information on New South Wales Government legislation please go to https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au. Verify the current text against the official source before relying on it.

Related sections

s 4 — Definitions
s 4A — Examples and notes
s 5 — Act to bind Crown
s 7 — Distinction between slander and libel abolished
s 8 — Single cause of action for multiple defamatory imputations in same matter
s 9 — Certain corporations do not have cause of action for defamation

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