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| Down Under |
| Man flies flag against 'bureaucracy gone mad' |
| 2005-01-31 |
| A Launceston man facing a fine of up to $50,000 for flying an Australian flag outside his home is refusing to take it down. Launceston City Council notified Ian Garwood, 72, that his flag, which is on a three-metre flagpole, is in a heritage area and contravenes the city planning scheme. Mr Garwood says he has been invited to submit a development application to keep the flagpole but says he has no intention of doing so. Launceston City Council general manager Chris Brooks says under the city's planning scheme, all structures erected in a heritage area must have planning approval. But Tasmanian Liberal Senator Guy Barnett says people should not need approval to fly a flag. "I think it's unnecessary and I think it's bureaucracy going mad," he said. "We should be encouraging all Australians to fly the flag and if they have a flagpole which is reasonable in size and shape, it should be [a] right and you should not require a piece of paper from the Launceston City Council or any other council for that purpose." |
| Posted by:God Save The World |
| #1 "So piss off, you bloody wankers!" |
| Posted by: mojo 2005-01-31 11:05:30 AM |