It comes from a political satire group in Australia on the eve of their elections to be held on May 18. It is part of their series called Honest Government Adverts. Hard as it is to believe, it looks like the Australian political leadership is as bad as the one we have here in its corruption, devotion to the oligarchy, climate change denials, lying, and religious pandering. (Language advisory)
If you are curious as to why they spell it as ‘Australien’, it is because the government so hates being satirized, especially by this group known as The Juice Media, that it sought to pass legislation threatening jail time for ‘impersonating a government agency’ unless it is ‘genuine satire’, which only the government can decide.
Tabby Lavalamp says
I’m pretty sure the Aussie FREEZE PEACH! crowd were all over that.
(This time I honestly don’t know, but I find that bunch is usually pretty quiet when conservative governments crack down on free speech.)
johnson catman says
Is the Australian government competing with Poland and Pakistan to see who can be more repressive and idiotic? SORRY, the US government is leagues ahead already.
Lofty says
And in 10 days time we’ll hopefully replace this corrupt lot with a slightly less corrupt mob of wishy washy centrists. I wonder how much damage remains to be uncovered.
Crip Dyke, Right Reverend Feminist FuckToy of Death & Her Handmaiden says
Obviously when I first saw your headline, I also wondered if a typo had been involved. Of course, I had a bit of experience with my own post about cops losing the morel high ground, so I knew there was the distinct possibility that something devious was afoot. I, for one, am delighted to welcome our new Genuine Satire Overlords.
Roj Blake says
There is no legislated right to Free Speech in Australia.
In a ruling in 1992 (http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/HCA/1992/46.html and http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/HCA/1992/45.html) a majority of the High Court found there was an implied right to freedom of political communication.
There is an expectation under common law that free speech will be protected, but that can be legislated away at any time and we are currently under the most repressive government since Menzies. That was the one that passed a law in 1951 to ban a political party.
Holms says
Readers might also recall Juice Media from the Israel Peace Rap a few years ago, which in part led to those interminable arguments with …er, that guy that got banned for being incorrigibly silly on the subject of Israel. StevoR!
Ah, memories.
Holms says
Oops, forgot the link:
bargearse says
Tabby @ 1
Nah, they’re too busy explaining why Israel Folau should be allowed to shit homophobia everywhere.