South Australia Outlaws Anonymous Political Speech 352
Posted
by
Soulskill
from the best-of-luck-enforcing-that dept.
from the best-of-luck-enforcing-that dept.
Sabriel writes "If you're online in South Australia and want to comment about the upcoming state election, be prepared to hand over your real name and postcode first — because this month it becomes illegal to do so anonymously (even under a pseudonym). Media organizations must keep your details on file for six months and face 'fines of $5000 if they do not hand over this information to the Electoral Commissioner.' This abomination was passed with the support of both major parties (Labour and Liberal), and to quote its sponsor, Attorney-General Michael Atkinson, 'There is no impinging on freedom of speech, people are free to say what they wish as themselves, not as somebody else.' Apparently incapable of targeting a few impostors without resorting to 'nuke it from orbit' legislative tactics, Atkinson has forgotten that protecting anonymity is important to the democratic process; hopefully both major parties will get a reminder come the polls on March 20."
Feh (Score:5, Funny)
No critisism. Less freedom than the "suggestion box" at my office. Lame.
My views (Score:5, Funny)
Both parties suck.
Come find me bitches!
Obligatory Soviet Russia joke: (Score:5, Funny)
The American constitution guarantees freedom after speech.
Obviously the Australia constitution guarantees nothing.
Re:MOD PARENT UP (Score:5, Funny)
Today? TODAY? Are you new here, or do you have a short memory? ;)
Re:My views (Score:5, Funny)
Both parties suck. Come find me bitches!
What are you trying to do, bankrupt Slashdot?
Some quick calculations. $5000 AUS is about, er, 50 quid or somthing, um, so, by my estimations Slashdot will go offline in approx... er..
australia has been stuck in the antipodes too long (Score:5, Funny)
we need to tow australia up to the northern hemisphere, give it someone to talk to and play with. it's kind of getting cabin fever down there in the nothingness and kind of losing its mind. all it has to talk to is new zealand, and we all know what that's worth
Re:My views (Score:5, Funny)
If I could find some bitches I'd keep them to myself.
Re:I'm not Australian but... (Score:4, Funny)
A misquote (because my memory isn't what it used to be) from Hunt for Red October: "Son, I'm a politician. When I'm not kissing babies I'm stealing their lollipops."
Re:MOD PARENT UP (Score:3, Funny)
Aussie Mates (Score:3, Funny)
You do know why everyone in Australia calls each other "mate", don't you?
It's short for Inmate.
Updated Lyrics (Score:3, Funny)
In South Australia I was born
Heave away. Haul away!
South Australia round Cape Horn
We're banned in South Australia
Haul away you rolling king
Heave away! Haul away!
But never will you hear me sing -
We're banned in South Australia