# Same problems in Australia **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 8, 2014, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246 "2014-01-08T04:35:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/101 "2014-01-09T05:06:20Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > [Moderating] > Don’t call other posters cunts. > > No warning issued. > [/Moderating] Can we call him a cunning runt? > [@SeldomSeen](#): > > I’ll see your Queenslanders and raise you five Texans… No fair! That stacks the deck. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/102 "2014-01-09T05:39:42Z")
Am I the only person who honestly read that as “daft constitution?” I need new glasses. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/103 "2014-01-09T05:47:12Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Am I the only person who honestly read that as “daft constitution?” I need new glasses. Why? Your current glasses are allowing you to read perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/104 "2014-01-09T06:24:30Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > That provision would be interpreted to mean that every citizen had a right to own property except for land, water etc specifically retained as part of the commonwealth. No way would it be interpreted to mean that people were not allowed to own land. Considering the source, i would not completely rule out the possibility that it means, “Land, water, and minerals are citizens, but aren’t allowed to own property.” ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/105 "2014-01-09T08:38:22Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > No, their draft constitution would abolish private ownership of land: > > The intention is that private citizens just lease land from the government. Proudhon would be proud. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/106 "2014-01-09T09:19:15Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > No, their draft constitution would abolish private ownership of land: > > - Abolish the common law. (They just want courts to determine “facts”.) Anything in there about Admiralty Law? That would be icing on the cake (or cream on the Pav if we’re being Aussie about things (no comments from the Kiwi’s thanks. )) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/107 "2014-01-09T12:16:00Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > It sits about 500 meters from the surface of the Sun, and everything alive out there is actively trying to kill you ? On the bright side, most of the [megafauna](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_megafauna) is extinct. We’re just a little worried about what killed them. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/108 "2014-01-09T12:22:21Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > Are only citizens allowed to own property now? I hope not. Else travellers would get all their shit took immediately after their passport gets stamped. Well, it’s one way to shore up the economy I suppose… ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/109 "2014-01-09T12:23:23Z")
> [@Eliahna](#): > > On the bright side, most of the [megafauna](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_megafauna) is extinct. We’re just a little worried about what killed them. That only means the deadly critters are able to sneak up on you and/or nest under the toilet seat. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/110 "2014-01-09T13:02:41Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Not just allowed, but encouraged. In that case, this calls for a song. _Asshole asshole asshole asshole Asshole asshole song! Asshole asshole asshole asshole Asshole all day long._ ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/111 "2014-01-09T15:35:42Z")
He’s not been back. I wonder if a suicide bomber got him. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/112 "2014-01-09T16:09:12Z")
Waste of a good bomb, probably could have used something smaller. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/113 "2014-01-09T16:18:05Z")
If only he had been allowed to keep his guns. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/114 "2014-01-09T16:22:30Z")
[Old school]Did anyone else read his name as ForsterForskin and think he was gonna try to sell us a Tug Ahoy[sup]TM[/sup][/Old school] ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/115 "2014-01-09T17:18:09Z")
Always nice to know the vile are a global problem. On the brightside I stumble over a post by **jjimm** which is cool so gibbering fuckwit’s thread wasn’t a compete waste of time. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/116 "2014-01-13T07:03:18Z")
_It shall be illegal to preach or advocate violence at any assembly._ Does that mean nobody can advocate going to war, or using force to bring in criminals? _Every person charged with a serious crime shall have the right to choose to be tried by a jury of 12 citizens chosen by the judge_ There couldn’t possibly be anything wrong with that. _While domiciled abroad for a period in excess of 12 months, Australian Citizens forego voting rights_ So members of the military and diplomats serving abroad lose their right to vote. \*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Citizens shall be treated the same as all other Australian Citizens except that some may choose to lead a traditional lifestyle in designated areas of the outback away from mainstream communities. The Parliament shall decide what areas shall be available taking into consideration the national interest and the wishes of the persons involved. Such persons shall be allowed to live such life styles free from any assistance or interference by mainstream agencies such as the Police, Welfare, Education, Taxation and Medical Services. Such persons shall have no access to money, alcohol or drugs and shall be protected from mainstream society. \* Abominably racist. _require practitioners in the arts to be cognisant of community standards_ No horrible nude statues, huh? _The powers of the President are as follows: … To declare war and the cessation of hostilities. (following a ‘yes’ vote at a referendum)_ Because who could ever think that it would be necessary to send troops into war in an emergency situation? I’m not even going to try to quote the convoluted process for electing a President. What a shambles. \*The President shall appoint a Chairman and Deputy Chairman to the Parliament after taking advice from the Public Service Board. The Chairman and his Deputy shall conduct the business of the Parliament and shall be accountable to the President. \* For a Constitution that keeps talking about separation of powers, this seems odd. _Credit cards shall be illegal._ Er, ah. _Only those items Australia cannot produce shall be imported… Imports shall not exceed the value of exports. Import of foodstuff that can be produced in Australia shall be disallowed._ So much for foreign trade. _There shall be no private ownership of land. The People declare that access to all the land of Australia not preserved as national parks and reserves shall be subject to lease arrangements._ ! _With this Constitution the People of Australia commit to a population of human beings of approximately 22,000,000. Total population of 22,000,000 shall not be increased by immigration. No incentives to increase the population above this figure by natural means shall be adopted._ ! _Because ownership and management of media are largely in commercial hands, the commission shall have the power to impose sanctions. Fines, cancellation of licenses and bans on the import of printing equipment, broadcast equipment, etc and the laying of charges of “unconstitutional behaviour” against the owners, editors and journalists are all within the powers of the Australian Media Commission._ So no freedom of the press. Plus, there is a provision for the banning of the import of printing equipment. Since the Constitution forbids the import of anything that can be produced in Australia, isn’t import of printing equipment already banned? \*[In the event of war …] Normal currency notes shall be suspended and reissued using notes printed in a different colour. These notes shall be known as Australian War Dollars (AWD) and shall be used for all commercial transactions for the duration of the war. … Adjustments shall be made so that every Citizen receives the same remuneration \* So all currency currently in circulation would be null and void, and all citizens would have to wait until the mint had sufficient War Dollars printed and distributed before they could buy food. This during war time. And even though you may have contracted to buy a house and had certain outstanding debts, you would suddenly find your income potentially seriously curtailed. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/117 "2014-01-13T07:12:30Z")
> [@](#): > > Something’s not right down under! There are doctors for that. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/118 "2014-01-13T09:25:28Z")
In a way, it’s refreshing to learn that Australia is also infested with blithering dolts. How many developed countries are following America’s lead into insanity? Is it mainly an Anglophone thing? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/119 "2014-01-13T15:00:09Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > _While domiciled abroad for a period in excess of 12 months, Australian Citizens forego voting rights_ > > So members of the military and diplomats serving abroad lose their right to vote. Not really. For the purposes of US law, and probably most common law jurisdictions, domicile is just where you have resided and intend to continue residing, long term. So a temporary overseas posting doesn’t mean you are domiciled overseas. > [@](#): > > \*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Citizens shall be treated the same as all other Australian Citizens except that some may choose to lead a traditional lifestyle in designated areas of the outback away from mainstream communities. > > The Parliament shall decide what areas shall be available taking into consideration the national interest and the wishes of the persons involved. > > Such persons shall be allowed to live such life styles free from any assistance or interference by mainstream agencies such as the Police, Welfare, Education, Taxation and Medical Services. Such persons shall have no access > to money, alcohol or drugs and shall be protected from > mainstream society. \* > > Abominably racist. Eh? We do the same thing in the US; it’s called the reservation system. Anyway, that’s essentially how Australian law treats aboriginal groups _now_: they can avoid societal obligations (and benefits) and retain their traditional way of life if they like. It’s a much more benevolent approach than [what used to be practiced](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolen_Generations). > [@](#): > > _With this Constitution the People of Australia commit to a population of human beings of approximately 22,000,000. Total population of 22,000,000 shall not be > increased by immigration. No incentives to increase the population above this figure by natural means shall be adopted._ > > ! But Australia is horribly overcrowded, man! It’s more densely populated than Iceland, Mauritania _and_ Suriname! You can’t expect a continent to support more than 22 million people! 😃 > [@](#): > > _Because ownership and management of media are largely in commercial hands, the commission shall have the power to impose sanctions. Fines, cancellation of licenses and bans on the import of printing equipment, broadcast equipment, etc and the laying of charges of “unconstitutional behaviour” against the owners, editors and journalists are all within the powers of the Australian Media Commission._ > > So no freedom of the press. Plus, there is a provision for the banning of the import of printing equipment. Since the Constitution forbids the import of anything that can be produced in Australia, isn’t import of printing equipment already banned? Maybe Australia lags a bit in printing technology. > [@](#): > > \*[In the event of war …] Normal currency notes shall be suspended and reissued using notes printed in a different colour. These notes shall be known as Australian War Dollars (AWD) and shall be used for all commercial transactions for the duration of the war. … Adjustments shall be made so that every Citizen receives the same remuneration \* > > So all currency currently in circulation would be null and void, and all citizens would have to wait until the mint had sufficient War Dollars printed and distributed before they could buy food. This during war time. And even though you may have contracted to buy a house and had certain outstanding debts, you would suddenly find your income potentially seriously curtailed. This sounds like just about the worst economic legislation in history. What the fuck is the point? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2014, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246/120 "2014-01-13T15:53:26Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Such persons shall be allowed to live such life styles free from any assistance or interference by mainstream agencies such as the Police, Welfare, Education, Taxation and Medical Services. Such persons shall have no access to money, alcohol or drugs and shall be protected from > mainstream society. This is self-contradictory. Without interference by mainstream agencies such as the police, how do you enforce lack of access to money, alcohol and drugs? Besides the whole thing being entirely stupid… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-problems-in-australia/678246.md?page=7)