Comments on: Proposed Australian law makes it an offense to insult Gaming Minister Michael O'Brien http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:08:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Riley Calaby http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246849 Riley Calaby Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246849 Ew, you linked to the Herald Sun? Also, reading the actual legislation makes it clear, as has been said, that it’s by no means a blanket ban on insulting the Minister. Ew, you linked to the Herald Sun? Also, reading the actual legislation makes it clear, as has been said, that it’s by no means a blanket ban on insulting the Minister.

]]> By: Fabi Fala http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246826 Fabi Fala Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246826 I think you misunderstood my point. I'm just a little annoyed that in every single article where some crazy anti-democratic laws in other countries are mentioned there is a USAnian waving his flag and berating those silly foreigners that the US is the "Craddle of Freedom" when it's clearly no better or even worse than other western democratic countries. My first sentence was only an example of things the US Government did that would be considered unthinkable in a western European country. I think you misunderstood my point. I’m just a little annoyed that in every single article where some crazy anti-democratic laws in other countries are mentioned there is a USAnian waving his flag and berating those silly foreigners that the US is the “Craddle of Freedom” when it’s clearly no better or even worse than other western democratic countries. My first sentence was only an example of things the US Government did that would be considered unthinkable in a western European country.

]]> By: ocker3 http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246740 ocker3 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246740 And in this case, the law Specifically mentions the Minister, not just the officers. I'm fine with the actual officers being insulated from harassment, but the Minister has enough of a bully pulpit, he doesn't need additional protection. And in this case, the law Specifically mentions the Minister, not just the officers. I’m fine with the actual officers being insulated from harassment, but the Minister has enough of a bully pulpit, he doesn’t need additional protection.

]]> By: jmills256 http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246733 jmills256 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246733 In Australia, there is an implied constitutional guarantee of the ability to communicate about political matters, and this protection also operates on the state level. Basically, the adequacy of the execution and maintenance of the gambling legislation is such a matter. Communications about that issue might obstruct, hinder, abuse, insult or intimidate the relevant Minister, and come within the proposed law. Therefore, the law is possibly contrary to the Constitution. In Australia, there is an implied constitutional guarantee of the ability to communicate about political matters, and this protection also operates on the state level.

Basically, the adequacy of the execution and maintenance of the gambling legislation is such a matter. Communications about that issue might obstruct, hinder, abuse, insult or intimidate the relevant Minister, and come within the proposed law. Therefore, the law is possibly contrary to the Constitution.

]]> By: adonai http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246560 adonai Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246560 Not to mention that using an article from the Herald-Sun is the equivalent of citing the Daily Mail. Not to mention that using an article from the Herald-Sun is the equivalent of citing the Daily Mail.

]]> By: arb http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246541 arb Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246541 No one objects to the obstruct part, but no one is even bothering to quote the part of the law that states these protections _only_ apply while the officers are performing their duties. Police, ticket inspectors, postal workers - all have similar protections in place. No one objects to the obstruct part, but no one is even bothering to quote the part of the law that states these protections _only_ apply while the officers are performing their duties. Police, ticket inspectors, postal workers – all have similar protections in place.

]]> By: arb http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246542 arb Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246542 I agree that the law appears stupid, but authorised gaming officers do get abused and threatened while carrying out their duties. They need some protection and this law gives them that. What the media (and BoingBoing) are doing, is selectively quoting the law, making it seem overly broad. I agree that the law appears stupid, but authorised gaming officers do get abused and threatened while carrying out their duties. They need some protection and this law gives them that. What the media (and BoingBoing) are doing, is selectively quoting the law, making it seem overly broad.

]]> By: Derek Waters http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246525 Derek Waters Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246525 Brainspore, I can think of at least one other:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_court I still think the proposed law is stupid, but... Brainspore, I can think of at least one other: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_court

I still think the proposed law is stupid, but…

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246511 Brainspore Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246511 No one was objecting to the "obstruct" part. So why does this guy <em>need</em> a law preventing others from insulting him as he performs his duties? Does any other profession in Australia enjoy such protections? No one was objecting to the “obstruct” part. So why does this guy need a law preventing others from insulting him as he performs his duties? Does any other profession in Australia enjoy such protections?

]]> By: arb http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246494 arb Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246494 Please do not continue to spread the FUD about this law by selective quoting. The text of the legislation actually goes on to include "exercising "due diligence" in monitoring gambling systems such as pokies", so it is an offence to "assault, obstruct, hinder, threaten, abuse, insult or intimidate" the minister or authorised persons _while they are carrying out their duties monitoring gaming systems and venues_. You can insult the fscker all you want at other times, but if he, or an authorised gaming officer, is at your business inspecting or monitoring your gaming systems, you cannot obstruct them as they perform their duties. Doesn't anyone read TFA anymore? Not even the BoingBoingers who post this isht? some days I think this place is getting as bad as Slashdot. Please do not continue to spread the FUD about this law by selective quoting. The text of the legislation actually goes on to include “exercising “due diligence” in monitoring gambling systems such as pokies”, so it is an offence to “assault, obstruct, hinder, threaten, abuse, insult or intimidate” the minister or authorised persons _while they are carrying out their duties monitoring gaming systems and venues_. You can insult the fscker all you want at other times, but if he, or an authorised gaming officer, is at your business inspecting or monitoring your gaming systems, you cannot obstruct them as they perform their duties.

Doesn’t anyone read TFA anymore? Not even the BoingBoingers who post this isht? some days I think this place is getting as bad as Slashdot.

]]> By: Hirsty http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246486 Hirsty Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246486 Penis! Penis!

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246469 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246469 <blockquote>He wears high pants.</blockquote> Well, he's no <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=budgie+smugglers&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1274&bih=852#um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=tony+abbott+budgie+smugglers&oq=tony+abbott+b&aq=8&aqi=g10&aql=1&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=37884l38239l0l43627l2l2l0l0l0l0l1035l1514l4-1.7-1l2l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=2e3de17daa83566b&biw=1274&bih=852" rel="nofollow">Tony Abbott</a>.

He wears high pants.

Well, he’s no Tony Abbott.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246457 Brainspore Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246457 <blockquote>BTW there is difference between insulting and criticizing someone.</blockquote>And both should be legal, IMHO.

BTW there is difference between insulting and criticizing someone.

And both should be legal, IMHO.

]]> By: Hirsty http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246451 Hirsty Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246451 He wears high pants. http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/10/17/let-us-focus-instead-on-what-unites-us/ He wears high pants.

http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/10/17/let-us-focus-instead-on-what-unites-us/

]]> By: martian_bob http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246450 martian_bob Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246450 I'll be looking forward to insulting Mr. O'Brien on a daily basis if this law passes, just for the principle of the thing. I’ll be looking forward to insulting Mr. O’Brien on a daily basis if this law passes, just for the principle of the thing.

]]> By: Adam Goetz http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246432 Adam Goetz Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246432 as there is a difference between between reality and fantasy.  I lived in the US for 26 years (1 year in japan) and have yet to be hit by drone rockets or be sent to a torture camp BUT yeah way to undermine your point in the first sentence.  as there is a difference between between reality and fantasy. 

I lived in the US for 26 years (1 year in japan) and have yet to be hit by drone rockets or be sent to a torture camp BUT yeah way to undermine your point in the first sentence. 

]]> By: Brad H. http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246429 Brad H. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246429 What the hell is going on in Victoria since I left. I'm going over next month from fellow Liberal state Western Australia and will be both insulting "ohhhhh, ohhhh, oh... O'Brien!" and swearing in public.  $12,238.90 all up. Geez.. What the hell is going on in Victoria since I left. I’m going over next month from fellow Liberal state Western Australia and will be both insulting “ohhhhh, ohhhh, oh… O’Brien!” and swearing in public. 

$12,238.90 all up. Geez..

]]> By: Fabi Fala http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246365 Fabi Fala Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246365 Yeah and then you'll get killed by a rocket from a remotely controlled drone or abducted to a torture camp.  I'd like to take the opportunity to appreciate that other western democracies value and protect the right to life unlike the United States.  BTW there is difference between insulting and criticizing someone. Yeah and then you’ll get killed by a rocket from a remotely controlled drone or abducted to a torture camp. 

I’d like to take the opportunity to appreciate that other western democracies value and protect the right to life unlike the United States. 

BTW there is difference between insulting and criticizing someone.

]]> By: UniAce http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246313 UniAce Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246313 I'd like to take the opportunity to appreciate that, in the United States, criticizing our government is not only protected by the constitution, it's a national pastime. I’d like to take the opportunity to appreciate that, in the United States, criticizing our government is not only protected by the constitution, it’s a national pastime.

]]> By: Joshua Green http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246278 Joshua Green Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246278 Just in case anyone is unclear - Windscreens O'Brien is a national chain of glass repair guys.  Just in case anyone is unclear – Windscreens O’Brien is a national chain of glass repair guys. 

]]> By: billstewart http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246155 billstewart Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246155 O'Brien's mother is a hamster, and his father smells of elderberries. O’Brien’s mother is a hamster, and his father smells of elderberries.

]]> By: beemoh http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246154 beemoh Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246154 The article makes mention of awarding a licence to run a  lottery, so I'm guessing he presides over gambling regulation. The article makes mention of awarding a licence to run a  lottery, so I’m guessing he presides over gambling regulation.

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246151 dculberson Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246151 Warcraft, Gears of War 3, the like.  He's paid in mountain dew. Warcraft, Gears of War 3, the like.  He’s paid in mountain dew.

]]> By: Mack Reed http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246147 Mack Reed Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246147 Serious question: What are the official duties of a "gaming minister?"  Serious question: What are the official duties of a “gaming minister?” 

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246139 Brainspore Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246139 <blockquote>Opposition gaming spokesman Martin Pakula branding the minister "Windscreens O'Brien - because this proves he's got a glass jaw".</blockquote>That's what Pakula thinks now, but we'll see if he changes his tune once it costs AU$12,000 to say things like that.

Opposition gaming spokesman Martin Pakula branding the minister
“Windscreens O’Brien – because this proves he’s got a glass jaw”.

That’s what Pakula thinks now, but we’ll see if he changes his tune once it costs AU$12,000 to say things like that.

]]> By: xenphilos http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246134 xenphilos Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246134 So backhanded compliments are O.K. then? So backhanded compliments are O.K. then?

]]> By: Phil Fot http://boingboing.net/2011/10/18/proposed-australian-law-makes-it-an-offense-to-insult-gaming-minister-michael-obrien.html#comment-1246122 Phil Fot Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=124372#comment-1246122 He's a gormless git. He’s a gormless git.

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