Greens Councillors Oppose Censorship by City of Sydney
November 12th, 2008
I joined my colleague Cr. Irene Doutney at a rally organised by the Sydney Free Speech Alliance on Monday 10th November to speak out against the new City of Sydney law that targets ‘bill posters’. We then proceeded to defy the council regulation by putting up two posters, advertising The Walk Against Warming, on council smart poles. Other protestors then joined in putting up posters along George Street outside the Town Hall. The protest attracted much media attention.
We were disappointed with the Council’s new campaign that targets ‘bill posters” within the city’s boundaries. We believe the eight dedicated poles are completely inadequate, in terms of their size, shape and location, for the free dissemination of political and community information.
Irene and I agree that the new laws discriminate against small activist, political and community groups who wish to advertise rallies and meetings. Pole posters and leaflets are one of the only means small groups have of getting their message out to the public.
The City is using the Protection of the Environment Act 1997 to fine and prosecute those who post notices in the public domain. Although Council claims the law is aimed at big professional postering companies, small political and human rights groups have received notification that they will be fined if they put up posters within the city limits.
This is a gross attack on freedom of speech and penalises those groups who do not have the resources to take out paid advertising. It is unbelievable that there are only 8 small display poles for the whole city none of which are south of Surry Hills.
A warning letter sent to the state office of the Greens NSW claims that the action is being taken to prevent posters disintegrating and finding their way into the storm water system. The Greens are also concerned that posters might end up in storm water drains but strongly oppose a policy that criminalises the imparting of information in a vibrant and diverse community.
We asked staff to tell us exactly what types of posters will be targeted and what posters will be “overlooked”. We received vague and inadequate descriptions of what will and won’t be allowed. This kind of arbitrary and highly discretionary approach is unfair and if allowed to stand unchallenged is tantamount to censorship of what can and can’t be promoted.
We think that the City of Sydney should meet with groups that they see as problematic and work out a protocol that will prevent posters ending up in storm water drains. The City should also look at its own practice of letterboxing hundreds of thousands of leaflets. These leaflets also end up all over the streets, in drains and no doubt in Sydney harbour.
Maybe the first fine should go to the Office of the Lord Mayor.
