Australian Photographers
As with recent British similar problems, Australia has decided it doesn't like photography in public places and is wanting to make certain areas 'camera free areas'.
Please sign the following petition as a sign of support and to allow photography in all places. http:///ausphoto/petition.html
Originally Posted by Sunday Telegraph News Article:
Tackling camera perverts
Sunday Telegraphy, 11 March 2007
"BEACHES and other public areas could become camera-free zones with a national working committee meeting next month to consider new legislation. Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock said uniform laws were needed to protect women and children at beaches, on public transport and at sporting events.
He said unauthorised photography was "clearly a problem" and the new laws could result in a maximum two-year jail sentence. The reforms follow several recent well-publicised reports of so-called "up-skirting".
At the Australian Open in January, three men were charged in separate incidents for using small hidden cameras to secretly film up women's skirts. A man was also caught in January taking photographs up women's skirts on Melbourne trams.
The Standing Committee of Attorney-Generals, made up of all State attorney-generals, released a discussion paper on the need for new laws to control unauthorised photography.
Surf Lifesaving Australia was among those who made a submission. It is particularly concerned at protecting its 40,000 young members. "We have a duty of care to protect our members," Sean O'Connell, of Surf Lifesaving Australia, said.
"There is no way of regulating how photos of children are used. "We just want some clarity and consistency in the legislation."
Coogee beach was hit by a spate of voyeurs who used their mobile phone cameras to take photographs of female sunbathers, some of them topless. A 25-year-old labourer became the first man convicted of using his phone for offensive purposes in December 2004 and was fined $500. Some men have been spotted using digital cameras to snap topless beachgoers."
"My camera can't undress you more than you already are, nor does it blow stuff up. It takes pictures..."