[LINK] Govt looks at fines for boycott campaigns, protests

[Rick Welykochy]

Howard Lowndes wrote:

> <hfl>
> This stinks.  It really is about the coalition looking after their mates 
> at the top end of town.
> </hfl>
> 
> 
> http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/20/2038707.htm?section=justin
> 
> 
> The Uniting Church wants the Commonwealth to clarify whether protesters 
> will be fined for speaking out about companies' unethical behaviour.
> 
> The Federal Parliament is considering allowing the Australian 
> Competition and Consumer Commission to fine groups up to $750,000 if 
> their protests result in a loss of profits for a company.

Tit for tat, then.

If a company uses its (often huge) financial resources to libel and
denigrate another business, and cause that business loss of profits,
then the ACCC should fine that company for such behaviour.

This may put paid to FUD campaigns and shonky and misleading
advertisements that cut into competitors bottom lines through lies
and misrepresentations.

I see no difference between a "protester" (whatever that is) and any
other public campaign which aims to speak out against a corporation.

And I certainly hope this legislation is not specifically aimed at
"protest groups". That would discriminatory and non-democratic. *ANY*
party that causes loss of income due to their speaking out (which
includes advertising of any sort) should be subject to this ... rather
strange law.

Thanks, LJH, for "harmonising" us with the Americans courtesy of the
AUSFTA.


cheers
rickw



-- 
_________________________________
Rick Welykochy || Praxis Services

Traditionally, most of Australia's imports come from overseas.
      -- Keppel Enderbery