We may not associate the law with wackiness, but sometimes, some strange ones are implemented throughout the world. For anyone living in Australia, these may be well-known already. Although, it can still come as a surprise depending on what area you are from. Still, for foreigners visiting or immigrants it can be a surprise, with not much explanation of why they exist.
This is a contributed post and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Meet The Harris Family.
It’s important to be aware of these laws, so you don’t have to find yourself getting legal assistance for something you didn’t realize was a crime. After all, ignorance of the law is not excusable in court. If you’re down to dig deep, read on for some of the weirdest laws that are still a thing right now in Australia.
You can’t dress up as Batman.
This one has a lot of debate surrounding it, and it has become a myth of sorts. That said, some laws constitute why this has circled around. It is illegal to wear any clothing that counts as a disguise of sorts, much like that of the well-known crime-fighting vigilante. On top of that, you are not allowed to stalk around at night wearing all black garb that can be part of a cat burglar’s outfit. All of these elements do fit into the Bats’ aesthetic, so be wary if you’re going out with no occasion to dress up. Cosplay conventions should be a safe space for you if you want to go for it, though.
Tarot-reading and activities in that same line can be punishable by law.
There are still laws standing against forms of “witchcraft” today, so if you know someone who likes delving into the occult, does palm reading, and has a deck of tarot cards they like to whip out at parties, warn them to take extra care about this if in Australia. Of course, enthusiasts are off the hook, but anyone who asks for a price in exchange for these services and any predictions of one’s fortunes will be looking at a hefty fine. It should be noted that this no longer applies to all states.
You cannot have more than 50 kilograms of potatoes.
It may seem strange to be penalized for owning a ton of vegetables, but this is one of those older laws that just never got changed. Though it’s unlikely that it will still hold up in court or even have to be put into practice, it’s still a legitimate law they have that must be followed.
Getting drunk in a pub is illegal.
Pubs are filled with booze overflowing, so it may seem like an obvious expectation to see some drunk people hanging around the place. That said, no one is allowed to get hammered in a place that serves them these drinks, ironically. There are even some areas where you are not allowed to drink alcohol publicly at all. Pub owners can also get fined for serving alcohol to someone who is already wasted.
You can’t have a pet bird if you got it in the wild.
While you really shouldn’t be grabbing animals from their natural habitat anyway, it may feel like a natural inclination to take in an animal that you rescued from injury or whatnot. With that in mind, it’s illegal to keep a native bird like a dove or pigeon and more in your house if you got it from the wild. So, if you’re going to help a bird out there, make sure to deliver it to the right spaces instead of keeping it.
You cannot do electric work in your house if you’re not an electrician.
Sometimes, things conk out in the home, and you need to make some repairs or replacements. Light fixtures and wiring are not immune to this phenomenon, either. However, an outdated law noted that those in Victoria were not allowed to switch out a light bulb in their house unless it was their job.And while exemptions were eventually made for this, you are still not allowed to do your electrical work sans electric license.
Wedding crashers can be imprisoned.
People hate an uninvited gatecrasher ruining festivity. And the laws back up these frustrations, as those who crash a wedding or funeral get a major fine and can even be sentenced for years in prison. A law already stands specifically for marriage, on top of those against party crashers in general.
These may be some of the most off-beat or unexpected laws, mostly because they seem so specific, and the punishment for them is relatively grave considering the parameters of the offense. However, you can spend all day discussing how hyperbolic some of these statutes may be, but you’ll still need to abide by them if you want to peacefully make your way through the Aussie lands.
