Author Topic: Aussie contiutional free speech tested by religious fanatics (Read 942 times)

silicon_toad2000 · « **on:** September 30, 2012, 10:44:56 am »

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Thanks to Adelaide's controversial street preachers, the challenge could see free speech recognised as a Constitutional right - comparable to the US First Amendment - and trigger a rewriting of state and council laws that were drafted to stop people being able to "preach", "canvass" or "harangue".

Tuesday's hearing in Canberra has such widespread ramifications that South Australia's Attorney-General has been joined in the matter by the Attorneys-General for the Commonwealth, NSW, Victoria, Queensland and WA.

The Human Rights Law Centre has sided with the Adelaide street preachers Caleb and Samuel Corneloup.

High Court Chief Justice Robert French has made it clear the hearing will be about legal principles rather than religion, telling the preachers: "It will not really be anything to do with, as you would appreciate, the merits of your preaching".

At present there is no guarantee of freedom of speech written into the Constitution.

If the court decides in favour of the preachers it may opt for a narrow interpretation limiting such freedom to political speech - but the justices could use the case as a vehicle for a much broader and more significant decision regarding rights relating to freedom of communication.

http://www.news.com.au/national/freedom-of-speech-gets-a-hearing-as-street-preachers-challenge-law/story-fncynjr2-1226484110392

Trestor · « **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2012, 01:35:44 pm »

Boy, what a bunch of ratbags we "religious fanatics" must be.

silicon_toad2000 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2012, 02:23:21 pm »

well, i don't know about the 'we' bit, these guys aren't far off the crazy guy yelling at people with a 'the end is nigh' sign around his neck.
Full marks for everyone who believes and follows something bigger than themselves.
I've seen some of these street preachers in action, I wouldn't say they were preaching as much as they we're just giving everyone in earshot a good telling off for being filthy sinners.