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No. I'm referring to the constitutional right to free speech. The statement "anybody is free to do whatever they intend to in Australia, so as long as it doesn
by astrec 15y ago
No. I'm referring to the constitutional right to free speech.
The statement "anybody is free to do whatever they intend to in Australia, so as long as it doesn't impair other people doing so" is as absurd as it is false.
There are reams of legislation to prevent you from doing everything from arriving unlawfully by boat, to lying about your income, to using a wire carriage service to cause offence.
As to speech, here is a simplistic example: Let's say I walk into Federation Square and say to you "Go and burn down the Parliament, you useless white cunt!" Depending on who takes offence to my comments I can be:
a) Issued an on the spot fine for AUD$238.50 for using language likely to cause offence in a public place.
b) Prosecuted for racial vilification.
c) Prosecuted for sedition.
The fact that all but a) are highly unlikely does nothing to progress the case that "anybody is free to do whatever they intend to in Australia".
- kgtm 15y agoI'm sorry, but I think you are confused regarding what constitutes free speech. Either that, or a very poor example you chose...
- astrec 15y agoI assure you I am not confused as to what constitutes free speech. In the comment to which you replied I'm merely countering the claim that "anybody is free to do whatever they intend to in Australia, so as long as it doesn't impair other people doing so", with respect to speech. Mind you, I did admit the example was simplistic, but it captured the essence of the three most contentious classes of prohibited speech without verbosity. The only claims I have made with respect to free speech are that: a) Australians have no constitutional right to free speech. b) There are laws that criminalise certain kinds of speech. c) There is no constitutional impediment to the creation of new laws which criminalise other forms of speech. d) Political speech enjoys some protection.
- uriel 15y agoFree speech means being free to say things others might not like being said. If free speech only covers things that others might find acceptable, then it is completely meaningless.
- Vivtek 15y agoI live in a poor neighborhood in Indiana (USA) (ah, but the house was cheap) and I would really like point (a). Speaking personally.