Parliament embarks on slippery slope to tyranny and oppression by passing bill to restrict free speech.
VICTORIA, Australia - October 16, 2011 - State Parliament is set to pass new legislation making it a criminal offense to "insult" Gaming Minister Michael O'Brien.
Fines of up to $11,945 will be given to anyone found guilty of upsetting the minister and his staff under the extraordinary new offense.
Premiere Edward Norman Baillieu’s government is seeking changes to the Gaming Regulation Act, which it says are "reasonably necessary to respect the rights and reputation of the minister and authorized persons." If passed, the ruling will become law.
The amendment proposed to the Act will make it an offense to "assault, obstruct, hinder, threaten, abuse, insult or intimidate" the minister or authorized persons exercising "due diligence" in monitoring gambling systems such as pokies.
State Labor has seized on the extraordinary amendment, with opposition gaming spokesman Martin Pakula branding the minister "Windscreens O'Brien - because this proves he's got a glass jaw."
"Is the minister so precious that he now needs legislation to protect him from insults?" asked Pakula. "I thought I better make these comments before the Bill passes, in case I breach the new rules and insult Mr O'Brien."
The bipartisan Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee also raised concerns about the move last week, noting "the criminalization of insults may capture behavior that is unlikely to hinder the exercise of powers... or impinge on anyone's rights or reputation."
Asked why the new law was necessary and what its intention was, a spokeswoman for Mr O'Brien, Emily Broadbent, tried to deflect attention away from the minister, despite his title being clearly attached to the legislation.
"This provision protects officers of the gambling regulator from bullying or intimidation when exercising powers at the direction of the Minister for Gaming," she said. "The minister can look after himself, but does not believe that those working on his behalf should have to put up with harassment."
The new offense relates primarily to "legacy monitoring" - accessing information from betting agencies Tatts and TAB about policing they did in gaming venues.
The Bill passed the Lower House last week and is expected to be introduced to the Upper House when Parliament resumes on October 25.
