More attacks on free speech
By Melanie Sjoberg
ADELAIDE — New by-laws passed by Adelaide City Council are about to be enforced following a three-month "familiarisation" period. The by-laws were approved by state parliament in May.
People placing fliers on car windows face a $50 fine and those attaching signs to an object or tree will be fined $15. Buskers will have to pay significant daily fees to perform in the mall. Represented by Jumbo the Clown, the buskers have made their opposition known.
Green Left Weekly supporters have been fighting the council for the right to distribute the newspaper in the Rundle Street Mall and the Central Market for several months.
The market manager has refused to consider any compromise, despite significant support for GLW sellers from shoppers and traders. One stallholder, disgusted by the council's attitude, has offered to display GLW for sale.
The council has requested a report on the situation for charities, distributors of non-commercial information and not-for-profit newspapers, which will be presented to the council on September 11. Hundreds of petitions collected by GLW supporters will be also be presented to the council.