Ten Australian laws which are so much more ridiculous than same-sex marriage
As the battle for same-sex marriage rages in Australia, PinkNews takes a look at some of the stranger laws on the statute books.
Millions of voters have been returning their ballots for weeks in the country’s non-binding postal vote on same-sex marriage.
An incredible 78% of eligible Australians have cast their vote – a bigger turnout than in the UK’s Brexit referendum.
The vote has no legal basis, however, and will merely inform MPs when the issue is permitted to go before Parliament.
But despite the sitting and last Prime Ministers’ insistence that a plebiscite must take place, there are a lot of strange historic laws in the country.
1. Peeing is allowed in public – but only on one tyre of your car
If a urinal is not readily available, it is legal to urinate on the rear left tyre of your vehicle
There is some grey area around this as states have their own laws when it comes to public urination…
2. Potato limit
It’s illegal to be in possession of more than 50kg of potatoes in Western Australia.
The state’s powerful potato regular, the Potato Marketing Corporation, has the power to stop and search any vehicle suspected of carrying more than 50kg of potatoes.
It is enshrined in a law from 1946.
3. Homing pigeons
It is illegal to interfere with or harm a homing pigeon specifically.
This law was written in South Australia and Victoria.
It states that nobody can kill, injure, ensnare, catch or take a homing pigeon.
The law specifically refers to homing pigeons.
4. Kids who smoke
While it is illegal for minors to buy cigarettes, alcohol or condoms, there is no law banning them from using any of the three items.
5. Common sense?
It is illegal in Australia to leave car keys in a vehicle that is unattended.
Surely this is just common sense?
6. Cat burglar
It is illegal in Australia to roam the streets wearing felt shoes, black clothes and black shoe polish.
Apparently this is because that is what cat burglars wear…
7. Bad company
Until 2005, it was possible to get arrested for being near or inside a house which is regularly frequented by thieves.
While the law was repealed, it was replaced with consorting legislation which more successfully defines what is meant by fraternising with thieves.
8. Horsing around
Bars in Australia are meant to have stables for their patrons.
They are also required by law to feed the horses accompanied by punters.
9. No questions asked
In South Australia and Tasmania, it is possible to be fined $500 for advertising a reward for lost property if it specifies that no questions will be asked.
10. Or forever hold your peace…
It is illegal in South Australia to disrupt a wedding… or a funeral.
The Summary Offences Act 7A sets out that someone purposely disrupting a wedding or a funeral can see prison sentences of two years or a massive $10,000 fine.
So Australia has these weird laws and a load of other ones… but same-sex couples still can’t marry.
EXPLAIN THAT, AUSTRALIA.