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Draconian Australian Research Law Hits Scientists

Posted by Soulskill on from the blunder-down-under dept.

An anonymous reader writes: The Australian government is pushing ahead with a draconian law placing "dual use" science (e.g. encryption, biotechnology) under the control of the Department of Defence. The Australian ACLU, Civil Liberties Australia, warns the law punishes scientists with $400,000 fines, 10 years in jail and forfeiture of their work, just for sending an "inappropriate" e-mail.

Scientists — including the academics union — warn the laws are unworkable despite attempted improvements, and will drive researchers offshore (paywalled: mirror here).

5 of 150 comments (clear)

  1. when I think "Australia" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I think kangaroos, and draconian laws. They conservatives are the way they are because of fear. Is this because everything in Australia can kill you?

  2. New Zealand? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Meanwhile, the Kiwis are doing everything they can to build a prosperous biotechnology industry. The government has been heavily promoting a "knowledge-based economy" for nearly a decade. If you're working in Australia, trained in biotech, and would like to work with less tax, fear, and general oppression then why not leave the matrix and give NZ a go.

    1. Re:New Zealand? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I live in Dunedin, New Zealand.

      Right now, we are faced with the closure of one of the premiere biotech facilities in the South Island, Invermay, in spite of a backlash by the farmers, scientists, and people of the region, all in the name of budget.

      The country is rapidly turning into a right-wing system, we're being pummelled with fear and hate messages from our government ("Unemployed? It's not our fault for mismanaging the economy, it's not the banks fault for ruining the world economy, it's your fault because there are no jobs in the region!") Workers rights are being removed (we've just had the first employer of many back down from the now-legal removal of all of our breaks, because it suits them) at a high pace.

      There's little money being pumped into research, all publicly owned assets are being flogged off (It's a New Zealand fire sale! Everything must go!) in spite of massive public opposition.

      It's an ideological nightmare, and things are getting worse. Educated people are leaving because the pay and conditions here are shit.

      Think twice before coming here.

  3. Re:The stupid is strong with these people! by Alwin+Henseler · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Not so much "be without it", but more like "out of the loop with researchers in the field".

    That is beyond stupid for a Five Eyes nation. One would expect measures to draw researchers into the country. Not chase them away!

  4. Same here in the USA by NotQuiteReal · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The "Left" and the "Right" are both the "Same" - e.g. "the ruling class".
    Voters are just the "little people".

    Notice how power shifts from one to the other and they keep adding bricks, each to their own wall, but neither side takes down bits the other side has put up?

    Someday, the walls will meet and you will be on the outside...

    --
    This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.