CANBERRA - The act of doxing by releasing someone's personal information without consent will be made a criminal offense in Australia under new government privacy laws.

Australia's Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on Thursday introduced legislation to parliament that would make doxing illegal and entitle victims of serious invasions of privacy to seek compensation through the court system.

Under the laws, anyone found guilty of the malicious release of personal data online -- a practice known as doxing -- will face jail time.

ALSO READ: Australia plans social media minimum age limit, angering digital advocates

The legislation imposes a maximum penalty of six years in jail for publishing someone's personal information with the intent of causing harm.

The maximum prison sentence will be increased to seven years in cases where a person or group is targeted based on their religion, race, gender, disability, nationality or ethnic origin.

ALSO READ: Australia to conduct biosecurity drill on avian influenza outbreak

The move to criminalize doxing is part of broader reforms that Dreyfus said would bring the existing Privacy Act into the digital age.

"Strong privacy laws are essential to Australians' trust and confidence in the digital economy and digital services provided by governments and industry," he said in a statement.

READ MORE: Aussie farmers protest animal, environment policies which harm them

"Australians have got the right to have their privacy respected and when they're asked to hand over their personal data they have a right to expect it will be respected."

Additionally, the legislation introduced on Thursday would give Australians the right to sue for damages if they have been the victim of a serious invasion of privacy.

Dreyfus said the bill is the first stage of the government's commitment to provide Australians with greater control over their personal information.