BY SHUA GARFIELD
HOBART — The Hobart City Council is considering banning the distribution of Green Left Weekly in Elizabeth Mall, one of the city's main public spaces.
Council referred a motion banning the newspaper's distribution back to sub-committee on October 22, requesting a rewording to remove specific references to Green Left Weekly, which in turn raises the spectre of all literature distribution being banned in Hobart's main mall.
Though the newspaper has been distributed in Elizabeth Mall for 10 years, council attempts to ban its distribution only began in February.
Citing a council by-law that prohibits distribution of such material without a permit, council officers asked Green Left Weekly sellers to leave the mall.
Representatives of the newspaper then applied for the permit and, expecting it to be granted promptly, street sellers continued distribution in the mall.
On hearing of council's latest attempt to bar sales, supporters of the newspaper publicly defied restrictions on literature distribution on October 23, meeting immense sympathy from passers-by. Nearly 150 people signed a petition opposing the ban in the first hour. Many were amazed that by-laws restricting free speech even existed.
Hobart City Council will vote on the re-drafted motion at its next meeting on November 15, and will give representatives of Green Left Weekly three minutes to make their case against the ban.
Activists have said that in the meantime, they will continue to collect signatures and defy council attempts at censorship.
If you can help in any way, please call 6234 6397. Readers are also encouraged to write to Pru Bonham, Chair of Parks and Community Services Committee, Hobart City Council, GPO Box 503E, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, to oppose the restrictions.