Hi Jeannie,
Under
Criminal Code 1899 (Qld)
Section 193:
"
(1) A person who makes a verified statement that the person knows is false in a material particular when the person is required by law to make the statement in the form of a verified statement commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) The person can not be arrested without a warrant.
(3) In this section—
verified statement means—
(a) a statement made on oath or under another sanction that may by law be substituted for an oath; or
(b) a statement verified by solemn declaration or affirmation."
There are a number of factors the Police, charging the person, would need to prove to the District Court beyond a reasonable doubt:
see factors.
Possible defences:
"
Possible defences to this offence include but are not limited to
1. Honest and reasonable belief the statement was true
2. Oath was not properly administered
3. Matter sworn to, was not material to the statement.
4. The accused did not know the statement was false.
5. Statement was true."