#!@*! Aussies to be fined for swearing!

Originally posted by topherman420

"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.

I had a 5th-grade English teacher who claimed that people who swear are "uncreative." I didn't buy it then, and I certainly didn't buy it after joining the Navy and learning how to *really* swear creatively. Personally I think it's as much a right of Free Speech as preaching in public is. Or, for that matter, people saying anything else that I don't agree with. If people can say things in public that are offensive to me, then I feel it's just as much my right to swear as "creatively" as I know how....

reply to post by Ex_CT2


Well I do agree I have come up with some very creative strings of curses it was mainly in an attempt to garner attention at my situation. I cant see a purpose to swearing obnoxiously in public for others to hear other then for that reason. While I see how this can hit a sore spot with people whose language has integrated swearing into everyday common use, I personally coming from a country that doesn't find it unnecessary to use the F word loudly 4 times in a single sentence to my buddy about what I did for the weekend.

Even though I live in Oz myself, I have to say that this is the very 1st that I've heard of such a ridiculous law being proposed. There is nothing regarding it on any news service that I watch and truthfully, have to state (in my opinion) that I think the report itself as the subject of this thread is somewhat, shall we say, "suspicious in it's legitimacy".

Sure, the newspaper being quoted (Sydney Morning Herald) is one of our major dailies ... however the fact that at the bottom of the article is fine print that admits the story originated from OVERSEAS sources that are NOT identified.

This story is sourced direct from an overseas news agency as an additional service to readers.

So why would such a proposed law be reported on overseas BEFORE being reported here in Oz ?

I smell bovine fecal matter here ....

Originally posted by iLoGiCViZiOnS
Not so sure this is going to go over well with the Australian people.......afterall they were all convicts to begin with hehehe

It not going to go over to well as most of use a swear word every second word.
The poor men and women of construction wont be able to communicate anymore. Building will cease.
Sport is now dead, teams wont be able to communicate.Supporters keeping their mouths shut when their out on the weekend watching their teams play. We cant even swear at the referee, %$#@ me. With all the silence It will be like watching golf.
Children wont be able to learn anything as the ABC's children learn in Australia goes like this. $%#@ing A,
@#$%ing B, @#$%ing C and so on.
This is the death of australia.

PS, And, No not all our families were convicts to begin with, some of our families had to learn how to be criminals when they arrived here

reply to post by v1rtu0s0


Now thats what I call a very innovative tax. I'm sure it wont take long to be self funding.

Originally posted by Agit8dChop
haha, righto.

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

Yeah its pretty hard to NOT be Australian....

We are not all like that you know....

Originally posted by pianopraze
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!

Not everyone, so .................................em ! Secondline

Originally posted by tauristercus
Even though I live in Oz myself, I have to say that this is the very 1st that I've heard of such a ridiculous law being proposed. There is nothing regarding it on any news service that I watch and truthfully, have to state (in my opinion) that I think the report itself as the subject of this thread is somewhat, shall we say, "suspicious in it's legitimacy".
Sure, the newspaper being quoted (Sydney Morning Herald) is one of our major dailies ... however the fact that at the bottom of the article is fine print that admits the story originated from OVERSEAS sources that are NOT identified.

This story is sourced direct from an overseas news agency as an additional service to readers.

So why would such a proposed law be reported on overseas BEFORE being reported here in Oz ?
I smell bovine fecal matter here ....

Well you'd be wrong mate because the ABC radio was also reporting on it and they had some very Government type people reporting it was true..
BTW, they also said it would do nothing but block up the court system with appeals..
Rightly so too..
Most cops I've met swear like troopers..

reply to post by rogerstigers


That is exactly what came to mind for me as well. lol

Btw, did you know that the Australian distribution of that movie has the Taco Bell scenes changed to Pizza Hut? I rented the movie and I'm like "What?!" ...All for marketing purposes because Taco Bell isn't here in Oz.

Most of the Aussies I have met have been too snobby to swear!!

After living in Oz for a bit, I found the usual Aussie stereotypes to be total bs

Fine dining and fine wines seem to be more appropriate, and politically correct beyond belief!

I was well shocked!!

I was glad to come home!

(She lied)

Originally posted by TransJenny
Most of the Aussies I have met have been too snobby to swear!!

After living in Oz for a bit, I found the usual Aussie stereotypes to be total bs

Fine dining and fine wines seem to be more appropriate, and politically correct beyond belief!

I was well shocked!!

I was glad to come home!

(She lied)

I agree.

Some people I know swear, some don't at all. None of my parents generation do, maybe the odd bloddy here and there

part of our culture- its no more part of our culture than anyone elses? we wouldnt swear any more than the British do, and noone swears like Americans.

So why would such a proposed law be reported on overseas BEFORE being reported here in Oz ? I smell bovine fecal matter here ....

I heard it on JJJ on monday morning

In most countries if law enforcement officers come across you swearing obnoxiously you will be told to stop. if you do not stop you will be arrested for public order offences.

you will do what you are told aussies.

you will get in line.

you will be controlled.

Originally posted 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.

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!

#@!#!$!$!!!

How do you come to the conclusion that we are being oppressed?
It's always been the case that you could be fined for swearing in public the only difference now is that it is an on the spot fine rather than an appearance before a judge.

I'm no angel and swear on occasion but they are times and places where it is not appropriate.

I was once told that i 'wasnt allowed' to swear on a train platform, as i expressed my anger at the ticket machine for not accepting my perfectly valid ticket, I told that woman what she was 'aloud' & 'wasnt aloud' to do & she reacted in a similar manner to myself.

Originally posted by pianopraze
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!

We like it just fine down here thanks.

The less we resemble the U.S. the better.

Originally posted by Jamesprototype
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

What has a cop being shot in the face got to do with fining people for swearing in public.
I fail to see the connection.

Watch out the swear police are about!!

Also in the UK....*Sigh*

www.bbc.co.uk...

reply to post by topherman420


Right. I remember when they first passed the seatbelt law in our state... so many assurances that it would never result in a traffic stop and could only be additive to another violation that would justify a stop... The law gave much more authority for new reasons to stop however, and a couple years later, no change in the law, just enforcement policy and motive... "click it or ticket"...

Nothing but a blatant cash grab.[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/7573611527ed.gif[/atsimg][atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/7573611527ed .gif[/atsimg][atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/7573611527ed.gif[/atsimg][atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/7573 611527ed.gif[/atsimg][atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/7573611527ed.gif[/atsimg][atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/mem ber/7573611527ed.gif[/atsimg][atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/7573611527ed.gif[/atsimg][atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/im ages/member/7573611527ed.gif[/atsimg]

reply to post by acrux


Isn't that what all tickets are for though, cash grabs?