Weird Laws: 6 of the Strangest Laws from Australia’s History
The land down under is a weird and wonderful place. With drop bears on the loose and everybody riding kangaroos around, things can get a little hectic. We’re obviously kidding about the kangaroos, but something we’re not kidding about is the fact that Australia has some pretty strange laws. Below we’ve compiled six of our favorites to give you a bit of a giggle, so read on to discover some of the strangest laws from Aussie history.
It Is Forbidden to Light Up Your Own Life
This one may seem a bit over the top, but if you follow the exact letter of the law in Australia, it is illegal for anyone other than a registered sparky to change a light bulb. This applies to bulbs in both homes and businesses, and although you probably won’t need the best lawyers in Wodonga to come to your rescue for changing your own globes, it is a fun fact to know.
The Police Can Technically Come After You for Wearing Booty Shorts
While Australia is generally fairly laid back in terms of clothing requirements – thongs are perfectly acceptable shoes, after all – it apparently won’t just be the fashion police coming after you if you’re caught wearing hot pink hot pants down under. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, if you’re caught after midday on a Sunday wearing bright pink booty shorts in Victoria, it’s technically considered an offense. This one is hotly debated, but is it really worth the risk?
This Law Really Sucks
Night owls, beware – if you’re caught vacuuming after 10 pm in Victoria, you’re performing an illegal activity. This one is related to the amount of noise your vacuum makes, as it can impact your neighbor’s quiet time. The laws around the use of power tools are quite similar, so we guess this one kind of makes sense. Still, it is rather inconvenient for those who run on nocturnal schedules.
No Witchy Vibes Allowed
This one is very rarely enforced, but it is technically illegal to give or receive a tarot or fortune reading as it’s considered the practice of witchcraft. It’s also illegal to do business with or even speak to pirates. Doing so can land you in jail for up to a decade. However, we doubt these laws have been enforced for a long time.
Horse People Unite
Finally, this one will give horse lovers a bit of a giggle. If you roll up to the pub with your horse, they’re legally required to provide your four-legged friend food, water, and somewhere to hang out while you’re a patron. This one stems back to the olden days when horses were everyone’s primary form of transport, but we love the fact that it still stands today.
Keep Quiet
Another absurd law in the state of Victoria is that it’s illegal to be heard singing an offensive song in a public place. While we’re all for being kind to those around us, the ambiguity of this law lands it a spot on our weird legislation list. After all, while some things are universally offensive, the term really is highly subjective. Could someone land themselves in hot water by singing the latest Taylor Swift track if they do so around someone who isn’t a fan? Weird laws are present all around the world, and while they’re mostly just fun to laugh at, a few of them are downright concerning. Hopefully, this piece has brightened your day a little – just remember not to brighten your own home in Australia!
