BY KIM BULLIMORE
SYDNEY — In an attack on free speech, Burwood City Council has attempted to fine Max Lane, the Socialist Alliance candidate for the seat of Lowe in the November 10 federal election for "delivering an address-meeting without approval" and for "use of a loudspeaker/amplification without approval".
The two "penalty notices", issued on November 5, each carry a $220 fine. They were issued after a Socialist Alliance speak-out and march held in Burwood on November 3 against the war on Afghanistan. Attended by around 40 people, the speak-out was addressed by range of speakers in Burwood Park, including Lane and the Greens candidate for Lowe, Mersina Soulos. Unlike Lane, Soulos has not been served with any penalty notices.
In a letter to the Labor mayor of Burwood, John Faker, Lane pointed out that John Murphy, the incumbent Labor candidate (who was re-elected as the MP for Lowe) had also delivered an address that morning with amplification just minutes before the Socialist Alliance speak-out. When contacted by the Socialist Alliance, Murphy's campaign manager was surprised to hear of the fine and that candidates had to seek permission to speak in public.
"I am completely stunned that any candidate during an election period should be fined for making an election speech", Lane told Green Left Weekly. "We have since sought clarification from the mayor of Burwood asking whether the issuing of the penalty notices is a prank."
Lane and the Burwood Socialist Alliance branch have sought advice regarding the matter from the Council for Civil Liberties and the NSW ombudsman's office.
The Burwood Socialist Alliance branch is urging all supporters of free speech to write to the Burwood Council asking that the penalty notices be withdrawn. The council can be contacted on (02) 9911 9911 or at <council@burwood.nsw.gov.au>. Please send copies of emails to <burwood@socialist-alliance.org>.
From Green Left Weekly, November 28, 2001.
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