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Draconian Australian Research Law Hits Scientists

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).

1 of 150 comments (clear)

  1. forfeiture of their work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    Forfeiture of their work is worse than a death sentence! Scientists live for fame. Whoever wrote this law is an uber-genius.