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South Australia Outlaws Anonymous Political Speech

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."

11 of 352 comments (clear)

  1. Feh by Pojut · · Score: 5, Funny

    No critisism. Less freedom than the "suggestion box" at my office. Lame.

  2. My views by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Both parties suck.

    Come find me bitches!

    1. Re:My views by goldaryn · · Score: 4, 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..

    2. Re:My views by imakemusic · · Score: 4, Funny

      If I could find some bitches I'd keep them to myself.

      --
      Brain surgery - it's not rocket science!
  3. Obligatory Soviet Russia joke: by zill · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Soviet constitution guaranteed freedom of speech.

    The American constitution guarantees freedom after speech.

    Obviously the Australia constitution guarantees nothing.

  4. Re:MOD PARENT UP by IBBoard · · Score: 4, Funny

    Today? TODAY? Are you new here, or do you have a short memory? ;)

  5. australia has been stuck in the antipodes too long by circletimessquare · · Score: 4, 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

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  6. Re:I'm not Australian but... by mcgrew · · Score: 3, 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."

  7. Re:MOD PARENT UP by courteaudotbiz · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think he's like 10 seconds Tom...

  8. Aussie Mates by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    You do know why everyone in Australia calls each other "mate", don't you?

    It's short for Inmate.

  9. Updated Lyrics by SQL+Error · · Score: 2, 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