In NSW, the regime is fond of introducing useless laws designed to placate outbursts of indignation from the tabloids … The Disrespectful Behaviour Act is the latest of this genre … Try to be nice to judges 

The legislation provides for 14 days in the slammer for anyone who gives a judge the bird, refuses to stand, or otherwise does something “disrespectful”. 

It’s all covered by the law of contempt, but no matter. The government wanted one more layer of law to appease the hacks at The Smellograph who had gone nuts after Milad bin Ahmad-Shah al-Ahmadzai refused to stand for Judge Gregory Farmer. (HH died in August last year.)

Among other things he had been charged with shooting with intent to murder outside a gay sex club in Rydalmere for which he was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment. Milad said that only Islam has the authority to tell him when to stand. 

Justinian reported on this legislation in May last year and now we find that last month the shadow attorney general asked the AG on notice: 

“How many people have been charged with disrespect to the court since that charge was introduced?” 

It would be nice to know more about the lucky winner.