Weird and obscure Tassie laws that can land you in jail
Did you know that in Tassie a tryst with a royal could have you locked away for good – or that leaving books in public could send you to jail? There are some weird and wonderful laws that still exist in this state. SEE THE FULL LIST >>
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From keeping a messy house to swearing in public, there are a slew of actions that could see you landing yourself in trouble under local Tassie laws.
The Mercury put it to Daniel Zeeman, a partner at Hobart firm Butler, McIntyre & Butler, and the result is this list of some of the more weird and wonderful obscure laws that were uncovered.
WEIRD AND ARCHAIC TASSIE LAWS:
STREET LIBRARIES
While they do immeasurable good for the communities that use them, placing a street library on public land could land you a jail sentence. Under Section 19AA of the Police Offences Act 1935 it’s illegal to place a cabinet with a door capable of being fastened or of staying shut in a public place.
DANGEROUS JUNK
If you’re planning to dispose of an old fridge or wardrobe on your next tip run, think again. The Police Offences act 1935 states that placing a refrigerator, ice chest, ice box, hot box, chest, trunk, wardrobe, cupboard or any other article with a door and that’s larger than 40L in size at a dump, tip, on a public place or on unfenced land could find you faced with a six-month imprisonment term.
MOUTHING OFF
Dropping the f-bomb or singing an obscene song could also land you in serious hot water. Section 12 of the Police Offences Act 1935 ensures that if you’re in hearing of a person at a public place and curse, swear or use indecent language you’re liable. Maybe DJ Funknukl aka Astro Labe could have done with this info before he headbutted then swore at then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2018.
TREASON
Having sex with Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall, even with her consent, could land you in prison for the rest of your natural life. The charge also applies to sexual relations with Prince Philip or the Queen. Section 56 of Criminal Code 1924 states “any person who violates the wife of the eldest son of the heir apparent for the time being of the King... is guilty”.
USING THOSE FAMILY STICK-FIGURE STICKERS ON YOUR CAR
You’ve seen them. And under the 297 Traffic Regulations Act 1999 it’s an offence if the stickers prevent a driver from having full view of the road.
DEBTOR’S PRISON
Fined by the Hobart City Council parking inspectors for overstaying your parking spot? Make sure you settle the debt. A Tasmanian court could commit you to prison for six weeks or until payment of the sum due, thanks to Section 4 of the Debtor’s Act 1870.
PLAYING FOR KEEPS
Taking part in a prize fight or promoting one contravenes the Criminal Code 1924. Only a boxing match that’s been okayed by the Commissioner of Police can get the green light to go ahead.
MESSY HOUSEMATES
A stoush over not stacking the dishwasher or failing to vacuum the house could be escalated up a notch thanks to Section 10 of the Police Offences Act 1935. This act states that a person occupying or keeping a house, shop or premises “shall not suffer any breach of the peace or riotous or disorderly conduct”.
RABBIT-PROOF FENCES
These prolific pests are such a burden on the state government that if your neighbour wants to build a rabbit-proof fence and tells you about it, there’s not much you can do to stop them. Section 9 of the Boundary Fences Act 1908 states that “any owner of land desiring to compel the owner of any adjoining land to contribute to the erection of a sufficient fence or a rabbit-proof fence... may serve on such last-mentioned owner a notice to join in...”
WOMEN AND PROPERTY
Women’s lib takes a back seat when it comes to outdated Tassie laws. Section 4 of the Married Women’s Property Act 1935 takes the stance that investments made by a husband and wife belong to the husband alone. And taking that a step further, if the married woman buys shares, invests in Commonwealth securities or makes interest from a bank loan from her husband’s account without his consent then the court can intervene and transfer any financial gain to her husband.
SERIOUS LIBRARY FINES
If you publish a book in Tasmania a copy must be delivered to the secretary in charge of the State Library Service, and if a publisher refuses The Libraries Act 1984 could come into play.
ALIENS CAN’T OWN A BRITISH SHIP
Foreigners to Tasmania may own real land and personal property, but there are plenty of exclusions. Under Aliens Act 1913, Section 3 it’s illegal for “an alien to be or become the owner of a British ship or any share therein”.
And there’s more: it’s illegal in Tasmania to falsely claim to be an architect; take or be in possession of a meteorite; open your business on the morning of Anzac Day, with some exceptions; and taking part in an old-fashioned duel.
But Tassie is not alone in harbouring archaic laws within its legislation, in Western Australia it’s illegal to possess more than 50kg of potatoes and they’re serious about it. Police there have the authority to stop and search a vehicle suspected of carrying more than the legal load; also in WA it’s illegal to carry a weapon but perfectly excusable to carry an electrified briefcase. While in Victoria it’s illegal to correspond or do business with pirates, fly a kite to the annoyance of another person, or to make unreasonable noise with a vacuum cleaner after 10pm or before 7am on weekdays and 9am on weekends.
Originally published as Weird and obscure Tassie laws that can land you in jail