Girl Gamer

Australia’s New Crybaby Election Law of 2010

By Joylia 2 years ago • 1 Comment

South Australia recently passed a new election law January 6th, 2010. The law, in short, is ridiculous and a blatant attempt to squash freedom of speech among the masses. It seems some politicians got their knickers in a twist at the “overwhelming” criticism and feedback they were receiving from the public. So much so that paranoia hit and many believed that the so called “public” was in truth their opponents in disguise of the common folk.

They are politicians for crying out loud! It’s a given that someone (especially your opponent) is going to bad mouth you and start rumors – deal with it or get out. Don’t pass a law to satisfy your childish urges to know just who said what against you so that you can retaliate and feel all big and bad.

The law is as follows:

“A person must not during an election period, publish material consisting of, or containing a commentary on, any candidate or political party, or the issues being submitted to electors, in written form, in a journal published in electronic form on the internet or by radio or television or broadcast on the internet, unless the material or the program in which the material is presented contains a statement of the name and address (not being a post office box) of a person who takes responsibility for the publication of that material.”

It also states that if a person is found to be in violation of this law, they will receive a fine of up to AUS $1,250 (roughly about $1,097 US). So far, this only applies to bloggers and commenters. It seems “real journalists” of online newspapers and magazines are in the clear to post what they will. Of course with a law such as this – you never know when the chokehold of the government will become wrapped around your own throats.

From Australian Lawyer, Nic Suzor’s blog :

“It [the legislation] is being supported by Atkinson in the most appalling way – the news reports quote him apparently frothing at the mouth about ‘AdelaideNow’, which the law seems implicitly to target”

AdelaideNow is a news site that provides a forum for discussion of the local affairs of Australia and as stated from Nic Suzor and other news reports, AdelaideNow was one of the main sites targeted by this legislature. In response, AdelaideNow stated:

“It’s hard to imagine South Australia’s Electoral Commissioner will prowl the Internet day after day during the election campaign policing such a ridiculous law. Realistically and logically, there is no need. All blogs and comments published on AdelaideNow are moderated. Broadcasters monitor and moderate what is broadcast. All also abide by extensive laws that prevent the publication or broadcast of defamatory and other illegal material”

Which was then followed by:

“It is instructive that similar laws were also enacted in China last year, a country which has yet to embrace free speech.”

Going back to the comment in regards to Atkinson’s support – Michael Atkinson is South Australia’s Attorney General who not only was backing this law all the way, but is also a strong supporter for the banning of video games (Pfft). Atkinson had even taken to the radio to defend his support of this new election law, saying that bloggers and posters were actually his political opponents attacking him under the cover of anonymity –

“I’ll give you an example: repeatedly in the AdelaideNow website one will see commentary from Aaron Fornarino of West Croydon. That person doesn’t exist,” Atkinson said on the air. “That name has been created by the Liberal Party in order to run Liberal Party commentary.”

Can one say, “Paranoid much?” And as it turns out, the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words” – is unbelievably true. AdelaideNow, in response to this delusion, posted a picture of the supposedly non-existent man with his daughter. Turns out, Aaron Fornarino does exist and he’s not in league with the Liberal Party in a heinous attempt to run Liberal Party commentary. He’s a 2nd year law student who moved just 500m from Mr. Atkinson’s electorate office last year and just likes to voice his opinion on AdelaideNow.

After quite an embarrassing call out and the rising cries of outraged citizens, Atkinson had a sudden change of heart and sent the following statement to AdelaideNow:

“From the feedback we’ve received through AdelaideNow, the blogging generation believes that the law supported by all MPs and all political parties is unduly restrictive. I have listened. I will immediately after the election move to repeal the law retrospectively… It may be humiliating for me, but that’s politics in a democracy and I’ll take my lumps.”

South Australian’s Premier, Mike Rann, tweeted the following afterwards:

“For many young people, and even the not so young, internet is their parliament of ideas and information,” said one. Then, immediately after: “AG has listened. So no debate will be stifled. No political censorship of blogs or on-line comments whether named or anon.”

Convenient that it will be removed after the election, but still, I hope that bloggers and commenters everywhere will not stop voicing their opinions and continue strong on their search of knowledge and truth.