Australian Anti Swearing Law

DaktologistDaktologist Global Moderator
edited July 2011 in Spurious Generalities
Only in Australia
The aptly-titled "F... Walk'' saw up to 400 people - mainly teenagers - chanting profanities and calling for free speech, not fines in a march through the CBD yesterday.
New laws to come into effect on July 1 will allow police to issue $240 on-the-spot fines for people using language deemed to be indecent, disorderly, offensive or threatening.

The powers had been trialled for the past three years, but the Baillieu Government has passed laws making the blue language bans permanent from next month.

Proponents of the ban say instant swearing fines will free up the courts while sending a strong message on anti-social behaviour.

Some protesters were cheekily wearing a single letter on their shirt to spelt out profanities with fellow protesters as they walked, while others held banners calling for "free speech, not fines''.

The crowd was escorted by six police and most onlookers found the colourful language - including chants saying "f... you Baillieu'' - more amusing than offensive.

Critics of the laws say the legislation is just an attempt by the Ballieu Government to appear tough on anti-social behaviour, without addressing other problems such as binge drinking and security at train stations.

Reubin Williams, 23, who organised the event through Facebook, said the walk was designed to highlight the difference between swearing as a part of expression, and anti-social, offensive or violent behaviour.

"It's a freedom of speech issue," Mr Williams said. "I feel restricting people's language is unnesessary and the extent of the fine is ludicrous.

“You can swear without being a lout, and it doesn't mean we are going to be breaking windows or be violent,'' he said.

"If you do stub your toe and swear they can fine you for it, but that's not to say they will.

"Police are saying they're not using it for those circumstances, but they can and that's concerning.''

James Melton, 16, said he attended the rally to protect "free speech''.

"The Government already has too much control over our lives, so controlling what we can say is a step too far,'' he said.

Various parties, including members of Socialist Alliance and Resistance made speeches that strayed from the topic of swear bans and the nanny state into the war on drugs, poverty and housing.

Source

Comments

  • EchidnaEchidna Regular
    edited July 2011
    Fuck shit cock balls
  • GoingNowhereGoingNowhere Global Moderator
    edited July 2011
    Thats total rubbish. I dont swear personally, but I am completely against banning it as it restricts the freedom of speech.
  • edited July 2011
    Wow, that's a load of garbage. How can you possibly have a law on what people say? I can't believe some people actually have a problem with a word in the English language. I bet they're the type of people who drink tea with their little fingers pointing out, and sit as close to the steering wheel as possible while driving at 25 mph :facepalm:

    I have no idea what I just wrote, but I'm pretty pissed at the government.
  • RemadERemadE Global Moderator
    edited July 2011
    Seriously?! :facepalm: 1984 much? Buncha cunts, as the aussies would say...
  • Darth BeaverDarth Beaver Meine Ehre heißt Treue
    edited July 2011
    First they took their guns now they are taking their mouths. It won't be long before their hearts and souls are gone unless they throw off the shackles of tyranny but soon.
  • jarkofjarkof Regular
    edited July 2011
    Controlled population much. These laws are not ways to keep the streets clean of bad behavior as they would say, but simply as a way to provide control over the citizens that inhabit the location. This kind of shit just pisses me off.
  • ChupaloChupalo Regular
    edited July 2011
    ...will allow police to issue $240 on-the-spot fines for people using language deemed to be indecent, disorderly, offensive or threatening.

    That pretty much covers the entire spectrum of what people can possibly say.
  • bornkillerbornkiller Administrator In your girlfriends snatch
    edited July 2011
    Fuck me! Poor cunts.
    They always get the short end of the stick. I remember when the australian governmnet put totse.com on their blacklist.
    I'm sure meta is their government advisor. :(
  • MorningsideMorningside Regular
    edited July 2011
    And the Austrailian govt. just keeps getting more and more retarded.....
  • PlebertPlebert Regular
    edited July 2011
    And the Austrailian govt. just keeps getting more and more right wing...

    Either the Victorian government is out of money or Ted Baillieu has lost his fucking mind, there is no WAY this is going to work in practice.Wait 'til people start appealing these fines in court, it's going to be an absolute fucking nightmare for the police force as well as the judicial system at large.

    Court time, wasted.
    Police resources, wasted.

    Fucking ALP.


    Seriously, J.Gillz should balls up and veto the fuck out of this before it gets out of hand.
  • DaktologistDaktologist Global Moderator
    edited July 2011
    I saw one women on some aussie cop show on tv being fined for using the word fuck in front of some cop, so they are enforcing the stupid law
  • edited July 2011
    Another silly as fuck law passed by the Australian government.

    What's going on with you guys?..
  • bornkillerbornkiller Administrator In your girlfriends snatch
    edited July 2011
    I saw one women on some aussie cop show on tv being fined for using the word fuck in front of some cop, so they are enforcing the stupid law
    We have a similar law that hasn't really changed from back in the days.
    If you swear in the presence of a female or child, you can be charged. This law dates back when you could get hung for stealing live stock.
    On the subject of rustling. Did you know it's still a hanging offense here. they never took it out of the system.
    :(
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