Australians may have a love of plain speaking but new
laws are set to curtail some of their more colourful language with
police issuing on-the-spot fines for obnoxious swearing.
The country's second most populous state Victoria is due to
approve new legislation this week under which police will be able
to slap fines of up to Aus$240 (US$257) on people using offensive
words or phrases.
Victorian Attorney-General Robert Clark said the penalties,
similar to those issued for speeding or parking illegally, would
free up police time.
"This will give the police the tools they need to be able to act
against this sort of obnoxious behaviour on the spot, rather than
having to drag offenders off to court and take up time and money in
proceedings," he said.
But even the state's top lawyer admitted to swearing
sometimes.
"Occasionally I mutter things under my breath as probably
everybody does," he told ABC radio.
"But this law is not targeted at that, it's targeted at the sort
of obnoxious, offensive behaviour in public that makes life
unpleasant for everybody else."