#!@*! 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.

(Source)



It looks like our brother's down under are having issues with oppresion as well. I'm not up on my contemporary Austrailian politics, but this is #@# crazy! If I got fined for swearing it would cause me to swear and be fined again. Alas I would go broke as I continued to swear for each fine!

#@!#!$!$!!!

They should have never given up their guns!

Let's hope the U.S. learns a lesson from their pain.

I hope you ausies can do something to turn the tide down there!

To which I reply:

A lot of the Australian language is derived from swear words... interesting to see whether there will actually be fines given. The cops that I do know also swear and doubt a lot of them would actually hand out a fine (unless they are told to meet their daily quotas like they are told to do with defecting cars).

"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."

This is why I wouldn't mind something like this if it was enforced in Canada. The only issue I see is all the words which will be classified as swearing. Damn is a replacement I use when in public if I happen to hurt myself or a loud ouch is sufficient, and I would hope I could continue saying those, though ive even replaced damn with darn in the presence of the elderly.

I guess more people should just be more mindful of what they say in public around other people, I personally don't find it pleasant to listen to and its really superfluous language when there are other words perfectly usable in the dictionary.

reply to post by v1rtu0s0

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.

WHAT THE # IS THIS # SUPPOSED TO BE!!! Over $200 for swearing? For making some #ing noises with my mouth? This is outrageous on all levels. Especially in Australia of all places. WE TALK LIKE THIS BECAUSE IT'S PART OF OUR #ING CULTURE. These douche bags are literally fining us for being Australian. Well # you mate.

EDIT: And what's with the silver lining on your post? There is no silver lining!

reply to post by v1rtu0s0


This reminded me of the Swear Jar commercial



Sorry, nothing more relevant to add...

haha, righto.

Thats ok, because aussies insult people through their terminology without actually swearing, and the poor victim hasnt a clue.

Thats why i love america so much. I can say what ever the hell I want. Live free or die.

$&^@$%# speed camera revenues must be down!!!

Being an Australia, I must say that swearing is part of our culture. When pulled over by the police they often swear at you! I find this law to be absolutely crazy, especially given the fact that I live in the capital of Victoria, Melbourne where swearing is just part of the language.

This does remind me of a story that was in the news late last year about a young guy who was fined for police for playing 'offensive music' due to the amount of swearing it contained.

Australia is truly becomming a big brother nation.

So, you blokes just going to accept this?

#$@% me drunk.
I wont be able to talk in public anymore, and there goes most of my ^&%$ing vocabulary.

"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."

Yeah, and some of the obnoxious Australian laws don't make life unpleasant for people.

These people are F***ing idoits.

reply to post by v1rtu0s0


God, had to laugh just like in the movie Demolition Man!!!!

reply to post by LadySkadi


Thanks for the link, gave me a good laugh.



Wouldn't have happened in our office, anyone caught in our office swearing would get one warning and than fired.

What the !?
So i can't swear anymore ? that is ridiculous !!!
Screw it, when ever a police officer trys to speak to me i wont speak back, how can they put down a law on my voice.....

By the way, a cop got shot in the face a couple of nights ago and he is in cirtical condition, and they want to ban swearing ....................... wow

Well... I mean, as long as "saves time" for the police. You know, that's the important thing. Can't have them hanging around wasting time arresting people swearing when there are much more important crimes going on: People dressing up as Batman or Robin; Apprehended Violence or "Moving On" Orders; or those practicing the art of witchcraft through Tarot or psychic readings....

Their Government is going to have plenty of funds this year with all those tickets they will be writing. Not so sure this is going to go over well with the Australian people.......afterall they were all convicts to begin with hehehe