Woman deemed within right to set up QR code linked to right-wing propaganda in country pub

The case against a woman charged with placing a QR code linked to a right-wing, anti-vax website in a South Burnett pub was dropped after a magistrate ruled she was acting within her right to political free speech.

The case against a South Burnett woman who set up an anti-vax QR code in a country pub was dropped after a magistrate determined she was acting within her right to free political speech.

Rachel Jean Knipe, 43, was charged back in May after setting up the QR code in a Wondai pub bathroom, which reportedly sent anyone who scanned it to a right wing, anti-vaccination website.

Contrary to earlier reports that multiple codes had been scattered around the pub, police prosecutor Pepe Gangemi told News Corp that Knipe had stuck a singular QR code on the mirror in the women’s bathroom.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said since she hadn’t tampered with official COVID check-ins, Knipe was acting within her right to free political speech.

Knipe also pleaded guilty to two further charges of possessing marijuana and a pipe, which date back to a May 15 search warrant.

She was placed on a six month good behaviour bond for the drug charges.

Originally published as Woman deemed within right to set up QR code linked to right-wing propaganda in country pub