Thoughts on Freedom

Australian Libertarian Society Blog

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

Making the buses run on time.

The following podcast is well worth listening to. It outlines how the government of Chile has destroyed a thriving privately operated public transport sector.

http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2010/08/munger_on_priva.html

In short Chile went from having an average commute time of 40minutes to having an average commute time of 1 hr and 40 minutes because the government took over the bus industry in 2007. Not only did they take over the industry but they changed drivers incentives. Now the buses are half empty, people can’t get on them, they take longer to get anywhere, congestion has increased as people have shifted to cars and taxis and where the industry once made a modest profit it now loses masses of money. Tragic.

August 28, 2010 Posted by TerjeP (say tay-a) | General | 1 Comment

The worm turns in Bennelong

I previously wrote about my campaign efforts as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the federal seat of Bennelong. I must admit that at the time I wrote that piece my sense of optimism had taken a battering.

Now however the worm has turned as the media finally stops worrying about leaks and gossip and focuses in on our policies.

Liberal Democrat candidate Terje Petersen

August 14, 2010 Posted by TerjeP (say tay-a) | Politics | 76 Comments

Out Campaigning in Bennelong

I’m the Liberal Democrat (LDP) candidate for the federal seat of Bennelong in this 2010 election. This is made somewhat easier by the fact that I actually live in Bennelong. Today I figured I’d stroll down to the shops and see if anybody recognised me. Alas nobody came up to me to congratulate me on my pre-selection or to ask my views on immigration policy or tax rates. Me and the kids (my two eldest) soon gave up on the project and thought we would go and get some lunch and milkshakes.

Along the way we spotted a famous Australian tennis player. This guy was willing to be friendly and went to some effort to make me feel important. We had a bit of a chat about tennis. I asked him if he still plays tennis and I can confirm he does. He seems like a nice bloke so I didn’t bother him with my political aspirations. I wished him well and we went and had our milkshakes. I’m sure that once he figures out who I am he will surely vote for me.

Thanks to the nice lady wearing the Liberal Party shirt who took the picture for us. Stay tuned for further installments from Bennelong. I’ll see if I can get a picture with a famous ABC journalist or some such thing.

Left to Right: LDP candiate for Bennelong Terje Petersen with his kids

meets famous tennis player John Alexander.

July 24, 2010 Posted by TerjeP (say tay-a) | Politics | 22 Comments

Libertarian Quiz

Given it is election season and all I thought that you and some of your friends might be trying to figure out what you actually believe. Well don’t sweat it. We at the Libertarian Society have done all the hard work for you. Just answer the questions on the following quiz and we will tell you what you believe and the circumstances under which you believe it. ;-)

http://libertarian.org.au/quiz/

July 22, 2010 Posted by TerjeP (say tay-a) | Philosophy, Politics | 9 Comments

Liberals dump John Humphreys

Founder of the Liberal Democrats (LDP) and prominant libertarian identity John Humphreys has been dumped as the Liberal National Party (LNP) candidate for Griffith. So much for love and respect. John has a brief statement on his blog. The LNP currently have no candidate for the seat. It seems no candidate is better than John Humphreys.

July 17, 2010 Posted by TerjeP (say tay-a) | Politics | 23 Comments

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