Damn! Aussies to be fined for swearing

[JacobG18]

Australians may have a love of plain speaking but new laws are set to curtail some of their more colourful language with police issuing on-the-spot fines for obnoxious swearing.
The country's second most populous state Victoria is due to approve new legislation this week under which police will be able to slap fines of up to Aus$240 (US$257) on people using offensive words or phrases.

Victorian Attorney-General Robert Clark said the penalties, similar to those issued for speeding or parking illegally, would free up police time.

"This will give the police the tools they need to be able to act against this sort of obnoxious behaviour on the spot, rather than having to drag offenders off to court and take up time and money in proceedings," he said.

But even the state's top lawyer admitted to swearing sometimes.

"Occasionally I mutter things under my breath as probably everybody does," he told ABC radio.

"But this law is not targeted at that, it's targeted at the sort of obnoxious, offensive behaviour in public that makes life unpleasant for everybody else."



http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.7da929b60d93d912325df4a2c96e270 1.831&show_article=1

[sailingaway]

So much for free speech. 'obnoxious' is an awfully vague standard.

[steve005]

insane

[Nate-ForLiberty]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rVQGT01Kzg

[Xenophage]

I thought of Demolition Man as soon as I read the thread title.

[Andrew-Austin]

I keep hearing about these sort of really lame laws coming out of Australia.

Australia has to be one of the lamest countries on earth, only way they could be worse, is in addition to being hardcore nanny-staters, they were also militant war mongers.

Conza, do you agree? Do you live in the first or second lamest country on earth, does North Korea or the United States have you beat?




"Occasionally I mutter things under my breath as probably everybody does," he told ABC radio.

"But this law is not targeted at that, it's targeted at the sort of obnoxious, offensive behaviour in public that makes life unpleasant for everybody else."

Doubtless any time he swears, in any way and in any setting, would be considered "no big deal" by the law.

But if some peon from the lower non-politically connected class stubs his toe and swears, he will be fined by some blow hard cop eager to give someone a hard time.

[Chester Copperpot]

Wow.. I cant believe the exchange rate.. Aus$240 (US$257)


Back in the day Au$240 would be equal to like $160 US.. but of course back then I think it was $1 US = 250 Yen

hmm
ohwell

[KingRobbStark]

Fuck?

[trey4sports]

wow...

[nobody's_hero]

"But this law is not targeted at that, it's targeted at the sort of obnoxious, offensive behaviour in public that makes life unpleasant for everybody else."http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.7da929b60d93d912325df4a2c96e270 1.831&show_article=1

Lol. Politicians beware. Passing frivolous legislation could easily fall into that category. They certainly make life unpleasant for everyone else.

I've always wanted to go to Australia, but I think I can safely cross it off my list of places I'd ever start a new life if America collapsed.

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rVQGT01Kzg

You beat me to it! :p

[NYgs23]

"This will give the police the tools they need..."

Have you ever noticed that whenever they want to expand power at the expense of the people, they use the world "tools" as in "this bill provides law enforcement crucial tools in protecting our children"? I've grown to hate that word "tools."

[awake]

I'm not sure what's in the water down there but they seem to like leftist agendas.