Sedition and the Artist

Labrug | 26/04/2006 - 12:31

I am not sure how many people have been following the Alliance's campaign against the Sedition Laws introduced by the Government, but for those who haven't, here's an overview, and a warning.

Sedition has massive implications. According to the online dictionary, sedition is

Conduct or language inciting rebellion against the authority of a state.
Insurrection; rebellion.

As a part of the Anti-terrorism laws introduced by the Government, it is now potentially an act of treason to speak out against the government. That in itself may not be a big issue for many until you consider the performers dilemma. Comedians make a living out taking the mick out of political figures of the day. According to the Alliance, the possible interpretation of the Sedition Clause of the Anti-Terrorism Act is loose enough to potentially include such performance acts as being treasonous.

Sedition laws have historically been used to suppress free-speech and discontent in the population. The following is a quote taken from a document produced by the Alliance in opposition to the laws;

"The most obvious example is the use of sedition laws to attack the American arts community, and Hollywood in particular, during McCarthy period in the 1940s and 1950s.

"In 1947, the House Committee on Un-American Activites charged ten writers, directors and producers – to become known as the “Hollywood Ten” – with contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions posed by the Committee. By the end of the notorious McCarthy era somewhere between 325 and 500 actors, directors, producers and writers were forced to seek work elsewhere.

"Some of those whom history now records as amongst the most important writers of all time have been charged with or threatened with sedition including Robert Burns, Ben Jonson, Daniel Defoe, William Blake and Molière."

The implication for political abuse is staggering. Sedition laws have been used in Australia. As an example, during early colonisation, sedition laws were used to cover horrendous mistakes made by the then government, like The Eureka Stockade incident also mentioned in the Alliance posting. They were also used during the Vietnam War Protests, against the Australian Communist Party during the Mcarthy years just to name a few.

Laws of Sedition have historically (and in some countries, currently) been used to silence any for of free-speech that is against the 'Party Line' of the day, and these laws do not appear to be any different. Journalists, Actors, Writers, Union members/leaders, anyone involved in directions of free-speech will be affected by these new laws.

Do a Google search for 'Sedition Australia' and have a look at the general comments floating around. To say that people are generally concerned would be an understatement.

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Watch out you artists

Author: Na
Date: 26/04/2006 - 14:05

This topic can never be under-discussed. Most artists don't realise that under the sedition and anti-terror laws (which I have read and only managed to slightly understand, that is how vague they are), much art can be deemed sedition.

Even the TV show, 24, or recent plays in Australia, or visual artwork, can be seen as seditious.

The laws are so vague, that something that is considered to be 'promoting terrorism' (this is literally what the legislation says) to the Government, is terrorism.

What that means for artists is that the laws are arbitrary; that the Government can make them mean whatever they want to mean, according to the situation.

It's basically like giving the Government the green light to pull all powers of free speech from Australia (which is actually not legislated, because we have no constitution to do so). The Government says that it will not be used for these sorts of purposes, but the example of recent police removing a burnt flag from outside a gallery suggests otherwise.

There are too many loopholes in the legislation. Artists beware.

(PS. Did you know that if ASIO take you for questioning, and you reveal to someone that you have been taken by ASIO, that person goes to jail for 7 years? Yep, that's right. Your only right is to be able to call home, or a lawyer, to say that you are ok. You're not allowed to say where you are, who you're with, or when you're coming home...)

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Watching

Author: Neville Talbot
Date: 26/04/2006 - 16:07

These laws are simply frightening, along with much legislation produced by our government in the last 6 months or so.
Received my letter from the attorney general the other day in reply to my letter expressing concern about the laws.
It informs me that if I am charged, the law gives me an access to a defence, ie that I am merely criticising government policy.
But it does not say that I can't/won't be charged.
yes, it's unlikely, but it is possible.

I am not against protection against genuine terrorist threats (and people, there really isn't all that much- probably none if we weren't sticking our noses where they don't belong).
My main fear is that this is being used as an excuse to create legislation that can (and probably will) be abused by a power somewhere down the track.
Unfortunately as long as people get a few hundred bucks in their pocket, they'll probably forget all of this in time for another election.
Prove me wrong Australia. Actually get interested in something other than your wallets and fight this.

Nev

It's the simple things stupid...

Sedition!

Author: who cares
Date: 26/04/2006 - 18:26

Hello everyone

I am not making fun of the laws and I do realise how serious this can be for all performing artists, but I just can't wait for someone to come up with a new version of "Tradition" from "Fiddler on the Roof" with the new title of "Sedition!"

Anyone feel clever enough to give it a go?

Kerri

Insurrection!

Author: Labrug
Date: 27/04/2006 - 08:51

I think were allowed to poke a little fun at the laws, at least until they are formally introduced (if they get that far!)

There is a game that I like to play that I call Movie Titles. It's where you replace one word in a specific title with another and see who comes up with the best titles. Let's use 'Sedition' as our word and see how far we get.

I'll start with 'Basic Sedition', or is that 'Seditious Instinct'?

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

Kerri kunningly kommented:

Author: Bass Guy
Date: 27/04/2006 - 20:49

"I just can't wait for someone to come up with a new version of "Tradition" from "Fiddler on the Roof" with the new title of "Sedition!"

Anyone feel clever enough to give it a go?"

Watch this space. Me and that crgwllms character are at work as you read this. crg's will be called "sdtn"- noting his distate for vowels. Because they rhyme with "bowels". True.

Kerri was brave enough to note further that:

"I am not making fun of the laws..."

I, however, am. Ludicrous legislation demands to be mocked, lampooned, pilloried, derided, ridiculed and shat on from a great height at every given opportunity. And as much as possible, this should be done in public. On forums like this- where the sane come to fulminate on such ideas and tremble in the fear of an Orwellian existence.

I believe this fear to be unfounded. Make your art mock and deride- that's (supposedly) what Democracy entitles you to do. You've seen our Powers-what-be; spineless wretches, the lot of them. My five year old could LAY WASTE to them with a withering glance. Gets it from his mother, y'see.

They simply do not have the BALLS to do anything with these ridiculous laws. Say what you goddam please about anyone you goddam please. Screw the little runts in their cages.

Oh, and in the meantime, go see "V for Vendetta". Silly in spots, but some salient ideas in that film. About this very topic.

You're mah wahf now!

Surprising Really

Author: Labrug
Date: 28/04/2006 - 08:14

When you think about it, it is surprising that the Federal Government would even try something like this on. Look at what happened during the Vietnam War with Conscription. Don't they realise that as a nation we have a very strong sense of identity? Once this becomes more widely known and understood, you'll be having riots in the street, you watch.

If one has already been aressted on these new laws, then you can guarantee that soon there'll be others joining the list. The more that become affected, the more people will speak out, loudly. Unnecessary repression is stuff of the dark ages. It has no place in modern society. We have (or had) laws enough - Hoon laws, Under age Curfews, etc. Are we to be the nation of no fun, no freedom? What's next?

"Help! I'm being Repressed!"

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

Not riled enough

Author: Na
Date: 28/04/2006 - 09:19

Actually I don't think there'll be riots. The truth of the matter is that
a) the public is more concerned with stopping the 'next' terrorist attack (oh no! the sydney opera house!) to worry about some poor schmuck taken in by ASIO. They'll probably think the guy had it coming (ie. he's guilty)
b) the public is so ill-informed on what the laws actually mean (go test your nearest and dearest on what the laws will do) that they don't care or don't notice
c) the media spend so little time discussing the issue that even if there is someone out there suffering from injustice, it won't hit headlines properly
d) most people speaking out about the issue seem to be artists, civil rights activists, and generally those sorts of people who don't get heard by a larger audience anyway

The fact of the matter is that the Government manages to pull the wool over the public's eyes once again. Can we say children overboard?

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Not Informed Enough

Author: Labrug
Date: 28/04/2006 - 09:39

Excuse my Rantings. My comments are more wishful thinking than holding any substance. Eye-wink Your points are very true in the early days. Initially the Public would take very little notice (as they did in the Vietnam Riots). There would be small protest groups here and there trying to be heard and won't be until a significant incident, like the young man who refused to answer the call to conscription, that the slowly boiling tensions will explode into an almighty overflow of public opposition.

'Scuse me, just wiping the foam from my mouth. Laughing out loud

I am most likely letting my imagination run aay. Humour me a little. I don't get to let loose all that often these days.

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

Shortis and Simpson did so

Author: Walter Plinge (not verified)
Date: 02/05/2006 - 21:03

Shortis and Simpson did so some months ago.

Their next show coming up in Canberra features it and other political humour.

"Political Animals" opens on 17 May at The Street theatre.

to be fair

Author: Neville Talbot
Date: 26/04/2006 - 16:12

the letter from the AG was only to do with the laws as they relate to terrorist behaviour.
He didn't seem to elaborate past this issue and how the laws stack up there.
so we all might be just fine, and the government just genuinely cares about us...

Neville

It's the simple things stupid...

To be honset

Author: Labrug
Date: 27/04/2006 - 08:36

The "government just genuinely cares about us..." nice one Laughing out loud I have a feeling you were having a dig there Eye-wink Correct me if I'm wrong.

Seriously, that certainly is the verbal assurance that has been given to those inquiring minds who has dared to ask. The issue is that a verbal comment does not have legal strength behind it what-so-ever. The actual legal policy that is being proposed does not have any form of definite discrimination towards terrorism and could be far to loosely interpreted. Besides which, were have racial discrimination, vilification and other such laws that should be able to cover the terrorism side of the sedition proposal quite easily. Why do we need further laws that read like doctrine from the times of witch hunting and the anti-commie riots?

During World War II, a Poet Ezra Pound had to flee America is home country simply because he didn't agree with the approach to capitalism being implemented by the then government. He stood up for his beliefs with is anti-American Capitalism broadcasts and continued to do so. He was not pro-anything else specifically and certainly not pro-Nazi, even though he did speak anti-jewish sentiments. He wanted America to have nothing to do with the war. His broadcasts were quite definitely Seditious in nature and probably an extreme example in this case. He was eventually track down by American authorities and charged with treason against his country.

The Sedition Laws used by America at this time were to 'protect the people' from mainly the communist threat but were equally applied to any other form of anti-American line. This is the RISK we currently face. Sure, if we have an honest an benevolent government that respects their people then these laws should present no fear to use what-so-ever. However with the recent Industrial Relation Laws and the new Smart Card announced last night, I have a feeling that the Sedition Laws are just another element of the Big Brother Government that is slowly forming.

Am I paranoid? Maybe just a little. I am looking at the situation from a worst case senario indeed as that's the flexability these new laws allow.

Thanks guys, I'll get off my soap-box now and get back to work. Incidentally, I work for the Department of the Attorney General. Nothings special mind, I'm not like privy to any high-level discussions or anything....

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

A link to read

Author: Labrug
Date: 26/04/2006 - 16:21

These laws are real. They are serious. If they come into play, they will affect us all. The Government will and has tried to convince us that they are purely for anti-terrorism purposes, but the legislation is far to vague to support that claim. It will give anybody the power to 'dob-in-a-rebel' so to speak.

I'd like to say this is a knee-jerk reaction but based upon general opinion completely justified. In all honesty, if these laws were in effect today, I would be running a serious risk in saying what I have. Now doesn't that seem ridiculous? Just a little?

Here are some infor links for more details...

http://www.alliance.org.au/content/view/175/76/ Alliance Submission

http://www.vicpeace.org/sedition/ Private Web Site

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_sedition_law Definition and Technical Details

http://www.reason.com/0602/co.mw.the.shtml Reason Online

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00166.htm Scoop Independant News

http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/647/647p3.htm A Greens Related Site

http://www.crikey.com.au/articles/2005/11/04-1533-1657.html The Crickey News Forum

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

Sedition laws

Author: huddo
Date: 27/04/2006 - 08:56

That's gunna be bad news for the Chaser team!

Does anybody here realise

Author: Na
Date: 27/04/2006 - 09:07

Does anybody here realise the laws have already been passed, and that someone has already been charged under the new anti-terror laws?

Not an artist I grant you, but still...

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OUCH!

Author: Labrug
Date: 27/04/2006 - 09:14

I must admit that I thought they were still in process! With all the lobbying to have them denied, altered, etc I thought they were still undergoing review. If they have already been introduced, then it's only a matter of time as awareness slowly filters through the populace before ...

Mind you, I'm not overly surprised. How many times has the Government implemented new policies without quantifiable consultation with the Public? Can any one say Industrial Relations? GST maybe? Any others?

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

Nope, they were passed late

Author: Na
Date: 27/04/2006 - 09:25

Nope, they were passed late last year I think. And the person charged was only two or so months ago.

Of course, the media played down the whole thing, despite being heavily frightened of the laws themselves (imagine the newspapers and TV channels being held accountable for showcasing a snippet of Iraqi-created news on the war... nah, TV and newspapers make money, the Government would never go after them... better to go for the people who can't afford lawyers).

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sedition laws under review

Author: ShannynN
Date: 28/04/2006 - 09:07

As I understand it, the laws were passed last year, BUT they are now under review by the Australian Law Reform Commission. So Labrug & Na are kind of both right.

No idea what sort of effect (if any) the review will have on the sedition laws as they relate to the arts though... One can only hope that this side of things will be addressed.

For more info, or to send a (preferably intelligent) online comment to the ALRC, go here:-

http://www.alrc.gov.au/inquiries/current/sedition/about.html

or here:-

http://www.ag.gov.au/agd/WWW/MinisterRuddockHome.nsf/Page/Media_Releases_2006_First_Quarter_2_March_2006_-_Australian_Law_Reform_Commission_to_review_sedition_laws_-_0282006

The Level Headed Approach

Author: Labrug
Date: 28/04/2006 - 09:45

Thank you ShannynN. Seriously. You can never to too well informed and having a more rational voice to such an issues is always a good counter balance to the abject paranoia that certain individuals (ME!) can sprout!

In my serching through the net, I was amazed at the number of 'Complaint' sites to the Sedition Laws. Nearly every creative outlet from Newspapers to Sculptors have expressed their concerns. It is enough to make you even a little more worried over and above general concern. Eye-wink

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

Sedition

Author: Walter Plinge (not verified)
Date: 28/04/2006 - 10:05

Actually I think it is everyone's duty to break these laws. If we do that then eventually they will collapse under the sheer pressure of attempting to charge the entire population. I am often told that I have nothing to fear in this legislation or the new disguised national ID card if I do not break the law. The trouble is that like being a Jew in Germany in the 1930's eventually what I am may become against the law. A slightly disjointed rave but what the hey.

There it goes!

Author: Tari-Xalyr
Date: 28/04/2006 - 14:19

Well there goes rights of freedom of speech! . . . . *rolls eyes* All the ways governments are repressing things you'd think after all the mistakes of the past they'd learn to LISTEN TO THEIR PEOPLE! We are smart after all! not monkeys!

~ Tari

The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

Tari> you'd think after all

Author: Labrug
Date: 28/04/2006 - 14:25

Tari> you'd think after all the mistakes of the past they'd learn to LISTEN TO THEIR PEOPLE!

You'd think, but honestly when have they truely? Eye-wink I guess it comes in cycles, they'll try to impose tighter controls until the puplic scream for blood, then they'll back for a few years then start slowly again.

>We are smart after all! not monkeys!

Hmmm... I'd reserve judgement on that thought if I were you, or at least not generalise so much. Don't forget who are in power. They're basically trained monkeys after all.

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

Laburg: I know it was just

Author: Tari-Xalyr
Date: 29/04/2006 - 15:33

Laburg: I know it was just hope that gov's would listen to their people but the never have and no one will learn form these mistakes of the past otehrwise the past would stop repeating itself!

Also I agree on the trained monkeys and i really should not have generalised that statement so much.

Doesn't make this any less frustrating! and i dont even pay tax or vote yet!

~ Tari

The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

Future Masses

Author: Labrug
Date: 29/04/2006 - 16:15

>Doesn't make this any less frustrating! and i dont even pay tax or vote yet!

Dang straight! And it will be the future gens who will suffer most if something is not done now. Maybe that is why it usually students who tend to make the first move in these things.

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

Labrug: "Maybe that is why

Author: Tari-Xalyr
Date: 29/04/2006 - 18:03

Labrug: "Maybe that is why it usually students who tend to make the first move in these things."

Interesting thought. . .i may put this one forward in history or lit and see what sort of response i get. . .shall let u know . . .

~ Tari

The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

Please do that.

Author: Labrug
Date: 01/05/2006 - 08:23

I look forward to the reply. I was watching a thing about the Vietnam War on ANZAC day and the initial, peaceful protests about the war were conducted by students. The claim was that the education of the day encouraged students to question the judgements of authority and government.

This then lead to a student being the first person to refuse the call to conscription. His story became the 'Matyr' like example the rest of the country needed to rise into general opposition and what had been peaceful and ignorable blew up around the country into riots and violent opposition.

Sure they may have been educated to question, but they also had the most to lose second only to the youth that were to follow them. Sort of puts them into a tight spot really. There lives ahead of them and role models for those to come... Talk about pressure.

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

yes it was...

Author: Neville Talbot
Date: 28/04/2006 - 22:46

...a gentle dig... Our govt does 'really really truly deaply' care about us. Smiling
Don't they?!

My concern is not that Ozzies will rise. Of course they won't. and media coverage will not help.
Look at the complete ambivalence that has greeted the AWB scandal, despite enormous pushing from both media and the opposition.
in fact, I think the labor party has actually lost popularity in the polls since taking this issue on.
the people don't want to face the difficult issues.

yet

Oh, for a real revolution.
cheers
Nev

ps- I will check out Mr V.
It's the simple things stupid...

Ambivalence when unchallenged

Author: Labrug
Date: 29/04/2006 - 16:13

Yes, we are an ambivalent lot. If a problem doesn't directly affect us, we tend to let it slide. My hope is that our ambivalence is only something that we do when we Can ignore the problem.

Laws such as these have a tendancy of getting in your face no matter how much you attempt to avoid them. Hopefully, the Ozzie habit of the half-a-dozen fly swipes followed by the dive for the Fly-spray will repeat itself.

History has shown time and again that we all wait for that one person who has less tolerance than the rest to snap and 'make a stand' so to speak before we all allow ourselves to say "Yeah man. He's (She's) right you know."

Time will tell ... Where's my crystal ball?

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

30/04/2006 - 18:23 swinton bumburg (not verified) Pffft

Sedition and Apathy

Author: Walter Plinge (not verified)
Date: 01/05/2006 - 15:27

The real problem is that a large number of today's young people have bought into the new conservatism. (I don't mean you Tari.) If a real opposition to the sedition legislation and all the other neo-con legislation that is passing into law doesn't come from them where will it come from? This sedition legislation is just one of a whole sheaf of laws intended to undermine the liberties that we have grown used to. I am intrigued to hear about the possible reintroduction of the 1930's White Australia Policy's Literacy Test.
I still believe in Rousseau (sic) that it is the duty of every one of us to break an unjust or inequitable law.

Don't forget

Author: Na
Date: 01/05/2006 - 15:36

... That Australia has no constitution, like the Americans. At least in the US they can say, "Uh, no, sorry, I'll plead the fifth" (as in not reveal their sources)... Here we don't even have anything that actually says we have a right to freedom of speech. It's just a given.

On the other hand, we're not Americans, and we don't have the PATRIOT Act... but we are heading that way.

Scary times! (And who says the cold war is over?)

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01/05/2006 - 18:42 Smerta (not verified) Alas

Spammers

Author: Na
Date: 01/05/2006 - 19:16

This site is for serious discussion on theatre - not ramblings that look like spam! Come on - this is a perfectly good conversation about something that will affect us all. Don't waste your time adding to a thread will this crap!

OMG - I'm such a Teacher

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Big fat hairy...

Author: Grant Malcolm
Date: 01/05/2006 - 22:02

...trolls, rather than spammers.

Smiling

Hardly worth the time to comment, are they? Just moderate them out of existence as you have done. Maybe then they'll change their minds and decide to contribute constructively.

> This site is for serious discussion on theatre

Oh gosh, I hope not!

Eye-wink

Cheers
Grant

01/05/2006 - 18:55 Snort (not verified) i eat fat dogs

01/05/2006 - 18:56 Snout Licker (not verified) Who is this mother fucker

01/05/2006 - 18:58 Wassup (not verified) Thats a bit harsh

01/05/2006 - 19:02 Walter Plinge (not verified) i want to be an artist but

01/05/2006 - 19:03 Woof Woof (not verified) I like to cook on a bbq

Carried away

Author: Na
Date: 02/05/2006 - 09:02

Yes, got a little carried away there...

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Forgiveness

Author: Labrug
Date: 02/05/2006 - 09:37

We'll forgive you ... this time Eye-wink

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

It is very true ...

Author: Logos
Date: 02/05/2006 - 11:29

that writers and performers are invariably the worst off of all "innocents" when sedition laws limit free speech. Comment on political and social figures can easily be interpreted as sedition by over sensitive law makers most of whom (however misguided) do believe that they are doing their best for the country and how can you operate when a mob of anarchists (of which I am proud to be one) are eternally criticising. I am very concerned that the eventual result of this law may be that the only entertainment I can watch will be eternal re runs of late fifties sit coms.

Watch This Space

Author: Labrug
Date: 02/05/2006 - 12:06

As the legislation is currently under review, (no doubt due to the extreme yet subtle pressure being applied by groups like the MEAA) I will attempt to keep a track of it and make posts hiere. I am also sure that others will be keeping tabs on their own. Hopefully they will also post here with what-ever they find...

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

Artists v. Politicians

Author: Na
Date: 02/05/2006 - 12:16

Hah! I'd like to see MEAA win over John Howard and the Bushite cheerleaders... Maybe then they can change immigration laws, remove the ridiculous new IR laws that are seeing everyone lose money and jobs, get more money for the health and education system, improve the mental health system and make sure that people aren't accidentally sent overseas, take care of the elderly, improve literacy, create world peace, talk to the aliens, get my DVD that I ordered last week to my house by the time I get home tonight (now due next week), oh and, give me a zillion dollars to do my own thing...

Yeah, right!

There's no way the pollies will back down over these laws. Just like John Howard will never say 'Sorry'. They don't want to admit fault...

And who's going to say that we don't need some new laws for anti-terrorism. Who's really going to believe in this day and age, that anti-terror mechanisms aren't needed?

We may have been lied to, we may have pollies who committed us to a war that most of us didn't want to be part of, and the laws are scary - but that's the point. Scary laws for scary times...

I don't like the laws, but there's no way anyone will be able to get rid of them now... Soften them maybe, but even that is unlikely.

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Woo there boy

Author: Labrug
Date: 02/05/2006 - 14:09

Hey they Na. Wipe the sweat from your brow. No need to get over heated. Eye-wink

I do not overestimate the 'power' MEAA can use against the Govt. They are a small time agency who represent Journalists, Actors, and so forth. Not a prime workforce, but certainly large. There are also other media groups who have joined the argument and even business networks of some strength, and currently they are not asking for a total removal of the laws but the identification of freedom of speech issues relating to Entertainment, Arts, Culture and Business.

As for the need for new laws, we already have anti-vilification and anti-racial legislation just to name two such protection of rights that can be applied in anti-terrorism legislation. That is not to say that we don't need more either. What is at stake is the right to complain, debat, and generally disagree with or make fun of authority. Until the laws are, as you say, softened down to allow such creative freedoms, I doubt that that these groups currently fighting the legislation will bow down. Yes, the pollies are a rather stubborn lot. They come from a stubborn breed, the general public. We taught them everything they know and we can be just as unapologetic and obstinate.

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

Optimism

Author: Logos
Date: 02/05/2006 - 13:13

I am more optimistic than you. Laws like these and worse have been passed in the past and have been repealed. I do not however agree that these laws will do any good. remember the guys that bombed London last year were all British citizens and up till the moment they did it had no history of dissatisfaction with the british government and way of life.

Pessimist

Author: Na
Date: 02/05/2006 - 13:28

I agree that these laws won't do any good. I'm merely saying that the voting public is a fearful one. That's why Fox News, Bush politics, and propaganda has worked for so long. And with that comes a fearful political policy. There may be a faction of politicians who disagree with these new laws, but in the minds of those who support it, they would rather 'save the many and stuff the few' as it were.

Consider - 3000 American lives lost in 9/11 versus a couple of innocent artists going to jail.

The laws aren't good, but I don't think they'll be going anywhere.

What laws and worse have been passed and repealed?

Slavery - still continues.
The Americans break all Geneva conventions by running Guantanamo Bay - international laws established since the 50s.
Discrimination against races, genders, etc. - still goes on...

The fact of the matter is that the public are no longer willing to revolt as we once did for the French revolution, the 70s, etc. Once we do, then the Government will move.

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The literacy Act

Author: Logos
Date: 02/05/2006 - 13:57

Censorship laws such as the various British and Australian certification acts have been repealed in the past. The Literacy Act supporting the White Australia Policy was repealed although this Government is considering bringing it back in. As I understand it the Americans are using a loophole in Gaunatamo Bay in that the prisoners there are considered to be either illegal or unprivileged combatants ie spies or traitors and therefore gain no protection under the Geneva Conventions. I don't agree with it but there you are. Slavery I can't argue with as far as I know it's illegal everywhere but of course the fact that it is illegal doen't men it doesn't happen. Discrimination. Yes I am over 50 and have shoulder length hair therefore as a male I am unemployable. Fun isn't it. Yes we should take to the streets but we won't we are fearful and even worse are buying into the whole neo conservative world vision. We don't want to oppose it becasue most of us agree with it.

Recent addition

Author: Labrug
Date: 18/05/2006 - 13:43

This recent posting to an unrelated topic caught my eye... Take a read.

http://www.theatre.asn.au/comment/reply/5973/23249

Maybe the author can get back to me regarding where he founf this little article.

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

Sedition and the Artist

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