You Aussies better clean it up, damn you!

[retdetsgt]

Damn! Aussies to be fined for swearing


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."

Damn! Aussies to be fined for swearing

[Gumtree]

interesting....I wonder if the other states will follow suit?

edited to add,

While all Victorians are possibly aussie's.....
Aussie are not necessarily Victorians.....

[retdetsgt]

interesting....I wonder if the other states will follow suit?

edited to add,

While all Victorians are possibly aussie's.....
Aussie are not necessarily Victorians.....

I'm dying to see what they deem "offensive words or phrases". Could George arrest me if I said he talked funny?

[Aussie George]

I can't wait until the first person elects to go to court to contest the fine. I will bet my bottom dollar it will get tossed out.

There already is offensive behaviour offences that cover this. In QLD we can charge for public nuisance which covers this sort of behaviour, and now we can issue tickets for it as well. Problem is that any magistrate or judge in the land will no doubt toss it out as soon as they hear it.


And retdetsgt, I think I would let you slide on that one this once.

[retdetsgt]

And retdetsgt, I think I would let you slide on that one this once.

I guess you would really have to get me for lying, not offensive phrases, huh?

[Aussie George]

Well, first I would be arresting you for driving on the WRONG side of the road, then I would assume by the potty mouth language that you were an escaped mental patient talking some sort of strange sounding jibberish and would have to escort you to our local hospital where I suspect you would freak right out when you saw the toilet flushing the right way instead of that crazy northern hemisphere thing you guys have got going on.

;)

[MikeG]

I want to know what words. As an American that may or may not have the need for a "fanny pack", this is important. Disciplining with a smack to the fanny is right out.


If we switch to rhyming slang, is that okay?

[Aussie George]

I want to know what words. As an American that may or may not have the need for a "fanny pack", this is important. Disciplining with a smack to the fanny is right out.


If we switch to rhyming slang, is that okay?

And that is where the trouble lies...actually fanny is a word down here for not the behind but the front area...of a woman...if you get what I mean.

A fanny pack down here would probably refer more to a tampon than a suitable places to stick your passport and wallet...we call them bum bags down here (bum = bottom, rear end, backside, butt)

[Aussie George]

And as far as rhyming slang goes, I saw a band a few years back called "The Cunning Stunts".

[retdetsgt]

And as far as rhyming slang goes, I saw a band a few years back called "The Cunning Stunts".

Say that fast five times!!!!

[retdetsgt]

Well, first I would be arresting you for driving on the WRONG side of the road, then I would assume by the potty mouth language that you were an escaped mental patient talking some sort of strange sounding jibberish and would have to escort you to our local hospital where I suspect you would freak right out when you saw the toilet flushing the right way instead of that crazy northern hemisphere thing you guys have got going on.

THELMA! Cancel the plane tickets!!!!!

[kels]

AG, it would be nice if you guys spoke English, er, American, aw, nevermind. LOL

[sosteve]

This has to be the biggest load of BS I've heard of, But than again it's nothing new for some dumb person down to come up with a brainless idea. hey Aussie George and Gumtree better get out of there and join me in a beautiful part of the world. US OF A LOL

[retdetsgt]

I know some people from European based governments make fun of our constitution and such. And free speech can be a pain, but I don't want the alternative. And w/o that scrap of paper, there have been countless times our government would have taken it from us. It's the only protection we have from those imbeciles.

[Gumtree]

This has to be the biggest load of BS I've heard of, But than again it's nothing new for some dumb person down to come up with a brainless idea. hey Aussie George and Gumtree better get out of there and join me in a beautiful part of the world. US OF A LOL

She'll Be Right Mate!!!