To be clear, that isn't something in all of AU, it's a local law in Tasmania: "The regulation was introduced to the Tasmanian Traffic Regulations in November 20

To be clear, that isn't something in all of AU, it's a local law in Tasmania: "The regulation was introduced to the Tasmanian Traffic Regulations in November 2009". And I'm not positive about the German article, but it seems to imply that's a local Munich ordnance. Oh, and none of this contradicts the main point, which is that nothing in those articles suggests that robbing an unlocked car is legal. EDIT: though interestingly, at least in some municipalities breaking into an unlocked car may be a lesser crime than forcibly breaking into a locked car. Still a crime, but basically you're charged simply with stealing rather than some sort of breaking and entering.