Ten Australian laws which are so much more ridiculous than same-sex marriage
Afghan man, Noor Mohammad (38) holds a pigeon on the rooftop of his home in the old quarters of Kabul on January 16, 2014. Noor has a flock of fifteen pigeons (kaboter) which he releases daily from the roof of his home for recreation. AFP PHOTO/JOHANNES EISELE (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images)
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
SCHOPSDORF, GERMANY – MARCH 09: Discarded car tires lie at a depot for wrecked and abandoned cars March 9, 2007 in Schopsdorf, Germany. The disposal of used tires is an environmental headache and waste tires present environmental, health, and safety hazards. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
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
Potatoes move toward their cutting site on October 1, 2009 in Matougues, northern France, at McCain deep frozen French fries factory. McCain Foods Limited, a privately owned company established in 1957 is the world’s largest producer of french fries and other oven-ready frozen food products. AFP PHOTO FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP/Getty Images)
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
Afghan man, Noor Mohammad (38) holds a pigeon on the rooftop of his home in the old quarters of Kabul on January 16, 2014. Noor has a flock of fifteen pigeons (kaboter) which he releases daily from the roof of his home for recreation. AFP PHOTO/JOHANNES EISELE (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images)
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
BRISTOL, ENGLAND – JUNE 10: A close-up view of cigarettes on June 10, 2015 in Bristol, England. Health campaigners have asked for a levy on the tobacco industry to help fund anti-smoking measures. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
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?
A man holding a pint of lager with his car keys next to it on a table in a British pub, 3rd July 1997. (Photo by Steve Eason/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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
SANTA ROSA, CA -OCTOBER 14: A lost cat poster is taped to a light pole in the fire-devastated Coffey Park neighborhood on October 14, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 32 people are confirmed dead with hundreds still missing. Officials expect the death toll to rise, and now estimate that 5,700 structures have been destroyed. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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…
(Photo: Creative Commons)
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.
