BY ALEX BAINBRIDGE
HOBART — A Hobart City Council committee decided on November 15 to recommend a motion to the full council that would "continue to refuse requests to sell and distribute newspapers and other goods [in the Elizabeth Street mall] unless permitted under the by-laws". The next day council officers directed Green Left Weekly volunteers to stop distributing the paper in the mall and called police to enforce the ban.
By-laws prohibit "offer[ing] anything for sale or purchase" without a permit. Since February, the council has used this by-law on a number of occasions to stop the distribution of GLW in the mall.
Green Left has made two applications for a permit since February. The second application, made in July, is yet to receive a written response. Distribution of GLW in the mall has continued while the permit applications were being processed.
Since the July application was lodged, council officers have rarely attempted to remove GLW distributors from the mall. The November 16 incident indicates a renewed push by the council to stop the distribution of the paper in the mall.
The council meets on November 26. Green Left Weekly is urging all supporters of free speech to write to the council in support of our permit application. Send letters to Hobart City Council, Attention Pru Bonham, Chair of Parks and Community Services Committee, GPO Box 503E, Hobart 7001.
Messages can also be emailed to <hcc@mailnet.hcc.tas.gov.au>, phoned to (03) 6338 2711 or faxed to (03) 6234 7109.
Please send copies to Green Left Weekly, 225 Murray St, Hobart 7000 or <hobart@greenleft.org.au>.
From Green Left Weekly, November 21, 2001.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.