Thoughts on Freedom

Australian Libertarian Society Blog

New Australian Libertarian Websites

Australian libertarianism is beginning to grow in the hearts and minds of many Australians.  Maybe like you, I have noticed that libertarian ideas and attitudes are rapidly spreading to family, friends and acquaintances. I think this is because we are becoming more vocal about our objections to the growth and celebration of the nanny state.  Avenues for our political expression, such as Facebook, have been invaluable to: 1) sowing ‘liberty thought’ seeds, and 2) becoming an alternative voice in political ‘comment wars’.

Certainly the emerging prominence of the Liberal Democrats is another measure of vibrant Australian Libertarianism.  As a matter of fact, this was the first election where I’ve left the polls with a positive attitude after seeing the LDP on the Senate ballot box.

Another measure of growing libertarianism in Australia is the growth of liberty-oriented websites that aren’t associated with any political party.  The last couple years have seen various kinds of Aussie Libertarian websites pop-up on the Internet.  Let’s look at a few:

Read more »

September 3, 2010 Posted by Washington Y Sanchez | Philosophy, Politics | Leave a Comment

Fred Nile did not have relations with that website.

The big news of the day was that Ports and waterways minister Paul McLeay has resigned after admitting to using his parliamentary computer to visit gambling and adult websites. He says although the websites were not illegal, it was a mistake to visit them and he accepts he acted inappropriately.

Actually it’s not all that big, NSW Labor politicians seem to be resigning in disgrace so regularly they are starting to resemble lemmings charging toward the abyss. There are indications that other MPs are likely to be called to account on this one.

Here’s where it gets interesting though. New South Wales Christian Democrat MP Fred Nile has made a statement that neither, he or his staff have been “perving” at internet pornography videos on their work computers, but they have been researching the issue. This sounds like those Japanese whalers down in the Southern Ocean researching whale populations.

He admitted using his work computer to access gambling and adult websites.

There are reports the audit also found Fred Nile’s computer had been used to access internet porn.

Mr Nile says, for research purposes, a senior researcher viewed the websites of organisations like the Australian Sex Party and the Eros Foundation, and then followed links from the sites. Read more »

September 2, 2010 Posted by Jim Fryar | Politics, Religion | 8 Comments

Shame

In looks likely that many Pakistani players will have trouble getting a game for a while, possibly forever. This is a shame – Pakistan has produced some amazing cricketers and some amazing cricket. Mohammad Amir is 18 and probably the best bowler in the world. If his career had run its course he would probably have been an all-time great. Instead he’s probably going to get drummed out of all forms of the game. The Indians in the ICC are no doubt salivating at the prospect.

And for what? It’s not because they ‘cheated’. Ball tampering is cheating, using unauthorised equipment is cheating, being Muralitharan is cheating; but playing badly isn’t. The only people cheated are the Australian team, who deserved to be beaten in Sydney, and the English team, who deserved to be beaten more soundly at Lord’s.

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August 30, 2010 Posted by Joseph Clark | Pop culture | 42 Comments

Sue Abbott – civil disobedient

It takes guts to stand up to the law, even when the law is stupid. Sue Abbott clearly has guts, not to mention patients and determination. She took on Australia’s illiberal and silly bicycle helmet laws and seems to have had a victory of sorts. The district judge has accepted her argument that she believes that a bicycle helmet would put her health at risk and has excused her from a fine imposed by the police. Even better the police have stopped behaving like pests, at least in terms of no longer fining her.

News article here:-

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/heady-freedom-as-judge-agrees-helmet-laws-are-unnecessary-20100827-13vz2.html

Her letter to the PM here:-

http://www.cycle-helmets.com/sue-abbott-letter.html

I like the ironic twist from the news article. Apparently a study in 1998 found that even with air bags in cars motorists could reduce head injuries by 25% if they wore bicycle helmets whilst driving their cars. Maybe cyclists should be allowed to ride without helmets and motorists should be forced to encase their skull in foam. Maybe pedestrians should do likewise. Kneepads for pedestrians might also reduce knee injuries. The number of imaginable stupid laws is boundless.

Maybe somebody should organise an annual helmet free bicycle event in honor of Sue Abbott and her stand against this stupid law. I’d be keen to join the ride.

August 29, 2010 Posted by TerjeP (say tay-a) | Civil liberties | 12 Comments

Policy Libertarianism vs. Structural Libertarianism

Just came across this post on differing libertarian strategies that I thought some of you might find interesting. Here’s the first part:

Libertarian thinkers can be plotted on many axes. Presently, the axis I am most concerned with is Policy Libertarianism vs. Structural Libertarianism.

Policy Libertarians (PLs) include the vast majority of the most visible organizations and writers in the modern libertarian movement: the Reason Foundation, the Cato Institute, the Ron Paul campaign, the LP, the Constitution Party, most libertarian economists (e.g. Milton Friedman), and single-issue organizations like Students for a Sensible Drug Policy. PLs, as their name suggests, focus their energies on inventing and advocating a list of policies that governments should follow. For example, you can find policy libertarians opposing liberal eminent domain laws, fighting for lower taxes and deregulation, supporting cultural tolerance, opposing invasive police searches, and advocating the rest of the familiar libertarian manifesto.

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August 29, 2010 Posted by Tim Andrews | General | 2 Comments

Hung Parliament = More Government, Not Less

Though there’s plenty of healthy cynicism over the notion of a “new paradigm” in Australian politics, there also seems to be an idea doing the rounds that since a hung parliament makes it difficult for legislation to be passed too easily, that it’s good for libertarian principles. Perhaps in some instances this is the case, but if history of the senate has taught us anything, it’s that those who hold the balance simply trade off: “You give me legislation in this area, and I’ll support you on this one.” I find it hard to recall of a time where an independent or minor party candidate ever successfully negotiated less government interference in our daily lives (though I’m happy if someone can point to an example.)

It now seems Tasmanian Independent Andrew Wilkie has decided that his main policy is poker machine reform (remember how in the 80′s, “reform” was all about removing market impediments? God, I miss the 80′s!,) and I’m guessing he’ll get some action in that area. Of course, poker machines would generally be a state issue, which is why Wilkie ever so helpfully suggested use of the Corporations Act – the Fed’s favourite tool for trouncing state’s rights. What this effectively means, is that an independent from Tasmania is laying down the law for NSW clubs and their patrons (all for the greater good, of course).

Just in case you were thinking this is a small enough price to pay, rest assured it’s just the tip of the iceberg. The new minority government (whichever side that might be) hasn’t even started legislating anything yet – all of the current “negotiations” are just for starters. I found the following to be a particularly ominous sign:

The trio (Gillard, Wilkie and Wilkie’s wife and media adviser, Kate Burton) then began talks over a jug of water and a thin black binder placed on a coffee table.

The binder looked identical to packages Ms Gillard handed recently to three other independent MPs which touted Labor’s record and election promises bearing on their electorates.

Welcome to the new paradigm.

UPDATE: Wilkie has now released his 20-point list of priorities. Delivering on these would cost billions – and that’s just for the dental plan. But most amusing was number 20, which basically asks for a bigger office:

Adequate staffing and office space to deal with the workload of an Independent Member of Parliament.

August 28, 2010 Posted by Fleeced | General, Politics | , , | 5 Comments

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