State Government In Australia Seeks To Issue $12k Fines If You Insult Its Gaming Minister Michael O'Brien

from the please-don't-be-insulted-by-this-article dept

Mon, Oct 24th 2011 7:32am — Mike Masnick

Pickle Monger alerts us to an effort in Victoria, Australia, by the current government to pass a law that could lead to fines up to $11,945 if you dare to insult gaming minister Michael O'Brien. The law claims that it is "reasonably necessary to respect the rights and reputation of the minister and authorised persons" which includes a ban on any attempt to "assault, obstruct, hinder, threaten, abuse, insult or intimidate" gaming minister Michael O'Brien. His political opponents are using the opportunity (before the bill passes, only, of course!) to mock O'Brien and the bill. But, his office is actually trying to defend the bill:

Asked why the new "offence" law was necessary and what its intention was, a spokeswoman for Mr O'Brien, Emily Broadbent, tried to deflect attention away from the minister, despite his title being clearly attached to the legislation.

"This provision protects officers of the gambling regulator from bullying or intimidation when exercising powers at the direction of the Minister for Gaming," she said.

"The minister can look after himself, but does not believe that those working on his behalf should have to put up with harassment."

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Filed Under: australia, free speech, insults, michael o'brien

52 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 7:37am

LOL! That is all.
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- Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 1:45pm
  
  Re:
  Hey Minister Head up yer Ass:
  You are the ugliest looking human being I have ever seen.
  Now go and fine me.I am poor and unemployed.Guess you will now have me put in Jail with a sentence of hard labor since I can not afford to pay you off.
  
  Yours Truly,
  A.J.Off
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Pixelation, 24 Oct 2011 @ 7:40am

Behavior
"The minister can look after himself, but does not believe that those working on his behalf should have to put up with harassment."
What are they up to that they automatically assume people will ridicule them? Perhaps they should change their behavior.
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AJ (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 7:42am

"This provision protects officers of the gambling regulator from bullying or intimidation when exercising powers at the direction of the Minister for Gaming," she said."

A law that protects officers from bullying/intimidation/harassment? Someone needs their man card pulled!
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Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 7:43am

In Thailand, l�se majest� only applies to the head of state.
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- Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 8:45am
  
  Re:
  L�se majest� was the first thing that sprung to my mind as well.
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Anonymous Poster, 24 Oct 2011 @ 7:45am

What a pussy.
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Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 7:45am

So where will people be posting pics of this guy with a dummy (binkie) and baby's kerchief cap? Cause seldom have I seen someone make Radar O'Riely look macho like this guy does.
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WysiWyg (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 7:56am

Legal?
Wait, what? Are you saying it's legal to assault a "gaming officer"? Yowsa.
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- MAC, 24 Oct 2011 @ 12:57pm
  
  Re: Legal?
  They already have laws on the books to deal with these things...
  
  It appears that the Gaming Minister wants additional protection for some reason.
  
  We here in the USA have a storied history of making fun of, poking fun at and generally being disagreeable with politicians.
  Assault is assault, let the police and judges deal with that one.
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- Blatant Coward (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 2:27pm
  
  Re: Legal?
  No we are saying we will mock him, and you. Are you him? If so we shall taunt you a second time as well!
  
  Just not right now, the paint drying is getting exciting.
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  - WysiWyg (profile), 25 Oct 2011 @ 1:35am
    
    Re: Re: Legal?
    I think you should read my post again, since there seems to be no real connection between what I wrote and what you wrote. ;-)
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Lord Binky, 24 Oct 2011 @ 8:07am

I think this is a fair law to introduce, I know I don't want to be bullied or intimidated. And if rudely not holding a door open for me is an insult and therefore illegal, that sounds like the law is working as stated. Clearly I would not be the one intimidated or bullied in that situation.
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- :Lobo Santo (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 8:14am
  
  Re: Perspective
  Laws which make the feelings of the self described 'victim' into crimes for anybody else are generally destined to bring about ill-will in everybody subject to such ludicrous machinations.
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  - Donnicton, 24 Oct 2011 @ 8:53am
    
    Re: Re: Perspective
    I do believe the poster's name of "Lord Binky" denotes the tongue-in-cheek nature of the post.
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  - Lord Binky, 24 Oct 2011 @ 9:52am
    
    Re: Re: Perspective
    We'll make a law to fix that too when the time comes.
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- Old Fool (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 9:36am
  
  Re:
  I agree.
  Only the other day a supermarket assistant was rude to me - if there was any justice she should have been drawn and quartered and her entire family sent to a penal colony.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 9:55am
    
    Re: Re:
    She already works for a supermarket - why punish her more?
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    - The Devil's Coachman (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 5:40pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Could be worse - she could work for Walmart!
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  - B Pickel (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 7:02pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Penal colony? like australia?
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Jimmy the Geek (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 8:15am

That's just what I hear.
I hear Michael O'Brien does it with Pokemon.
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- Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 8:50am
  
  Re: That's just what I hear.
  I heard he likes Mudkips.
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  - The Devil's Coachman (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 5:44pm
    
    Re: Re: That's just what I hear.
    Rumor has it he is fond of certain farm animals, and I believe I heard that sheep were the preferred type. The younger ones seem to be the most frequently chosen, or so I have heard.
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Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 8:19am

Instead of worrying about insults and intimidiation, maybe they should be more concerned about bribes and kickbacks.
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- Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 8:49am
  
  Re:
  With the law in place it's now a crime to even suggest bribes and kickbacks...
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  - Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 8:55am
    
    Re: Re:
    I'd say it 'hinders' their investigation to not get bribes and kickbacks so I think they're mandatory now, from everyone.
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  - Blatant Coward (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 2:29pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Correction:
    
    "With the law in place it's now a crime to even suggest bribes and kickbacks..." without a stack of cash in hand.
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  - The Devil's Coachman (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 5:46pm
    
    Re: Re:
    And what proof do you have that he does not accept bribes and kickbacks? Yeah, thought so!
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Rattran, 24 Oct 2011 @ 8:24am

The Gov't can't take time to worry about corruption when there's important legislation about preserving the dignity of a Minister to consider.
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- DOlz (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 11:25am
  
  Re:
  If you have any dignity to preserve you shouldn't enter politics to begin with.
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MrWilson, 24 Oct 2011 @ 8:31am

And what if one of the gaming minister's staff feels intimidated or harassed by this law? Can a law break itself?
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Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 8:57am

How appropriate, paper-skinned men using paper to shield their delicate selves. Natural predators include termites and common sense.
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Overcast (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 9:02am

Next thing you know, it will be punishable by death.

No dissent you serfs! You MUST obey his lordship, you must do it with a happy face.
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Overcast (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 9:02am

But I must add... if there's nothing for him to hide; why would this matter?
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- MAC, 24 Oct 2011 @ 1:00pm
  
  Re:
  the sound of coconuts clapping...
  Run away! Run away!
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Thomas (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 9:08am

Politicians...
here would absolutely love such a law! No more snarky remarks by anyone, no criticism by the bloggers. It would be so great for them! A great way to silence opposition. They could argue that even criticism is an insult so you would get fined. The agencies like the FCC, FDA, DOJ, TSA would love it as well.

Wonder if it would make it through challenge at the SOTUS? Maybe the Supremes aren't that corrupt (yet).
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- Someantimalwareguy (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 9:44am
  
  Re: Politicians...
  here would absolutely love such a law! No more snarky remarks by anyone, no criticism by the bloggers. It would be so great for them! A great way to silence opposition....
  No, they would hate it as they would not be able to go after their opponents with attack ads. further, the MSM would balk at this as they would not be able to use twitter and FB commentary as "real news".
  
  Next, being naturally ornery, Americans, who would never even consider being confrontational or "off color", would participate in open ridicule of anyone trying to get such a law passed as they so richly deserve...
  
  In the words of a great Internet meme: Good luck with that! LOL
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ethorad (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 9:36am

Useful law
Because currently in Australian law there's no way to punish people who assault, obstruct, hinder, threaten, abuse, insult or intimidate others.

Not sure why the much needed law to protect citizens currently only applies to O'Brien and his department. Presumably this is a trial period before it is rolled out along with similar laws to prevent theft, fraud, bribes, arson, drug dealing, blowing things up, and selling adult computer games.

I'm glad Australia is finally stepping back from pure anarchy and joining the civilised world.

Welcome, Aussies!
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- PrometheeFeu (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 10:04am
  
  Re: Useful law
  No, the laws against bribes were rolled back after it was found this unnecessarily impeded government officials from making money.
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mike allen (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 9:52am

what a wuss and ugly one too
perhaps i may get fined from the country down under.
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PrometheeFeu (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 10:01am

I think such a law is necessary. The shithead should be respected.
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- Rikuo (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 10:37am
  
  Re:
  The paradox between your two sentences did this to me.
  http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100828054703/uncyclopedia/images/b/b5/Exploding-head.gi f
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Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 10:44am

Is this per person or per offense? Because there's a finite quantity of wealth in this world...
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ScytheNoire, 24 Oct 2011 @ 11:01am

Insult Away!
Let the insulting begin and good luck fining the non-Australians.

Australian Gaming Minister Michael O'Brien is a moron who is nothing more than a corporate shill.
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Kurata, 24 Oct 2011 @ 11:09am

And here I thought insulting people was not allowed to begin with.
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MAC, 24 Oct 2011 @ 1:04pm

Stupid, stupid little brains...
They all have:
'Stupid! Stupid little brains!'

from Plan 9 from Outer Space (the first 8 failed)...
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TheBigH (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 1:14pm

Australia already has laws in place to deal with assault and threats, and ones which deal with obstruction of officials in their duties. But insults? No public figure is, or should be, immune from criticism or ridicule.

Michael O'Brien is a precious, wall-eyed little git.
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- The Devil's Coachman (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 5:47pm
  
  Re:
  And let's not go on about his mum now, shall we not?
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John Fenderson (profile), 24 Oct 2011 @ 3:49pm

Disappointed
I was really looking forward to reading how the non-parody trolls would defend this. I'm so disappointed that there aren't any. Yet.
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Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 6:30pm

Parliamentary Privilege
Anybody know if parliamentary privilege would still trump this law? If politicians can't insult the hell out of each other in parliament anymore things sure would be different... Don't know how they would get anything done anymore if they were fined so much every time they open their mouth.
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Anonymous Coward, 24 Oct 2011 @ 11:03pm

So with this new law it would be legal to insult (but not spit on) the Premier of Vic whoever he is (case law from Jeff Kennetts time), but not on the Gaming Minister???

Yes, I am an Aussie who lives in Vic and I agree, he is a Pussy.

(AC because well...)
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not Michael O'Brien, thank God, 6 Jan 2015 @ 11:15am

Michael O'Brien has a tiny willie
See Subject line; also, fair dinkum he has no bollocks.
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