1. Life Imprisonment
While most of the related sites
claim that the life sentences in Australia are only 25 years, this statement is
just partially true. For example, in spite of the fact that in New South Wales
the average prison term for murder is 25 years, despite the Crimes Act 1900
(NSW) stating the sentence to be for the remainder of the offender's 'natural
life', there were four people who received natural life sentences for murder in
2009. And the longest non-parole period imposed is 37 years, has been applied
to Adam Mikhail and his father Frank for shooting dead convicted drug dealer
Frank La Rosa and his wife Kim in an ambush at their Chittering property in
June 2008.
2.
Minors
Rights
Children may not purchase cigarettes, but they may smoke
them. There is indeed no set age smoking. However, it is totally illegal in
every way to supply an underage person with smokes so the only way they can
legal be smoking cigarettes is if they found some.
3.
Legal
Sex Age
The legal age for straight sex is 16 in all states of Australia except
for South Australia and Tasmania, where the legal age is 17. However, if the person
is in the legal care of the older person, the legal sex age is 18.
4.
Cross-dressing
Law
In Australia, men are free to cross-dress as long as their
dresses are not strapless. The reason behind this funny law is possibly a
measure to prevent a cross dressing male's wardrobe from
"malfunctioning."
5.
Unattended
Vehicle
Based on the Australian Road
Safety Regulation 1999, it is illegal to leave keys in unattended vehicle. It
claimed that many cars are stolen from petrol stations, corner stores and
driveways where the owner has left the car, with key in the ignition, sometimes
for even less than a minute, so this law is for the owners’ good anyway.
6. Dangerous
House
There is quite unusual regulation, stating that just being near or in a
house that is regularly used by thieves, can get you arrested (Vagrancy Act
1966). However, any police officer or authorized person, who is found on
the property, will not be liable for an offence, even when there is a strong
suspicion that the person is actually associated with the thieves.
7.
Dangerous
Clothes
It is illegal to roam the streets wearing black clothes, felt shoes and black shoe
polish on your face as these items are the tools of a cat burglar. Also, having an article of disguise without a
lawful excuse is illegal (Vagrancy Act 1966). If you are a smart you can claim
that a lawful excuse means any excuse that isn’t unlawful so wearing disguise
is illegal only if you intend to use it to commit a crime. At least you can try
to protest this way. And as the separate restriction, you may not wear a ski
mask or costume that hides your identity when walking the streets at night or
near a market.
And in Victoria, it
is illegal to wear hot pink pants after midday Sunday. So, be aware on that as
well.
8.
Reward for Lost Item
If you are to
advertise a reward for the finding of a certain lost object, you have legal
obligations not to state that no questions will be asked (Crimes Act 1958). This
refers to section 89 (Victorian legislation):
“Where any public
advertisement of a reward for the return of any goods which have been stolen or
lost uses any words to the effect that no questions will be asked, or that the
person producing the goods will be safe from apprehension or inquiry, or that
any money paid for the purchase of the goods or advanced by way of loan on them
will be repaid, the person advertising the reward and any person who prints or
publishes the advertisement shall on summary conviction be liable to a level 11
fine (5 penalty units maximum)”.
9. Singing a Song
If you can be
heard by someone while singing an obscene song, you’ll be in trouble (Summary
Offences Act 1966).
10.
Witchcraft
It is illegal to read someone's
tarot, or give them a psychic reading as these are forms of witchcraft. The law
has been recently eliminated (2005), making witchcraft and fortune telling legal
in Australia.
11.
Walk
Left
In Australia, It is against the
law to walk on the right hand side of a footpath. Walking on the left of the
footpath puts you further away from the traffic when walking in the same
direction as traffic flow, as they still drive on the left in Australia. When
you are walking towards traffic you are closer to the road (still on the left
of the path but in the opposite direction), so can see oncoming traffic to
avoid accidents.
12.
Taking
Care of Horses
It is not far back, the horses
were indeed a very important transportation means in Australia. Therefore,
there are several funny laws, assuring good care for them. For example, taxi
cabs are still required to carry a bale of hay in the trunk. And bars’ owners
are obliged to stable, water and feed the horses of their patrons.
13.
Other
Animals
That is a good one. In
Australia, it’s illegal to give a name to any animal you plan to eat.
14.
Changing
Light Bulb
Studying for professional electrician means probably the highest job security in Australia, since only licensed electricians is legally permitted to replace a light bulb. Note that fine for abusing this law is 10 pounds. Why pound? This law is dated from pre-dollar Australia. Like UK, the pound is divided into 20 shillings and then a shilling is further divided into 12 pence. So, the government of Australia decided to decimalize the currency in 1966 by set £1 to $2. That’s because of more of Australia’s trade going to other nations which use decimal currency instead of Great Britain that once ruled Australia.
15.
Melbourne
Laws
Speaking about Melbourne, there
are some local laws, which should be included in the list:
- It’s considered an offence to
drive a dog or goat harnessed or attached to a vehicle in a public place
(Summary Offences Act 1966).
-You may not trade with Pirates (Crimes Act 1958).
-You may not fly kites or play games in public that annoy other people (Summary Offences Act 1966).
-You may not trade with Pirates (Crimes Act 1958).
-You may not fly kites or play games in public that annoy other people (Summary Offences Act 1966).
Sources and
Additional Information:
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