Australia’s bold naturist bill aims to redraw the line between nudity and lewdness

A grassroots campaign calls for nationwide legal clarity on public nudity—and invites Australians to help make it law

Linz at a nude beach in Sydney | Photo by Naked Wanderings

A new naturist initiative is gaining traction in Australia, seeking to modernize the country’s fragmented public decency laws. The Public Decency and Nudity Clarification Bill 2025, drafted by NaturismRE founder Vincent Marty, aims to separate non-sexual nudity from lewd behavior—a distinction long sought by naturist advocates who say current laws unfairly criminalize simple nudity.

The proposal exists as both a draft act and a public petition hosted on Change.org, where it has gathered around 5,000 signatures. It defines “public nudity” as the state of being unclothed without sexual intent or harm, while reserving penalties for acts “intended to arouse or offend.” It also outlines a framework for designated clothing-optional zones—covering beaches, parks, and other outdoor areas—with an emphasis on respect, consent, and community consultation.

Australia’s laws on nudity currently vary state by state, with most treating any public nudity outside a few official beaches as “indecent exposure.” The proposed bill would harmonize those inconsistencies, ensuring that naturists acting peacefully are not treated as criminals. It also calls on the federal government to run education campaigns distinguishing nudity from indecency and to enshrine protections for body freedom under human-rights law.

So far, no parliament has introduced the bill, and there’s little mainstream coverage beyond NaturismRE’s own updates. Still, the campaign has drawn support from across the naturist community, including public backing from Get Naked Australia and the Australian Naturist Federation.

For those who believe that nudity should not be mistaken for indecency, this petition offers a clear step toward reform. Supporters can read the full draft and add their signature at change.org/p/draft-bill-australian-public-decency-and-nudity-clarification-bill-2025. Or click here to sign:

Whether it becomes law will depend on public pressure—but its message is already resonating: nudity is not a crime. 🪐