How can we sleep when our beds are burning?

[plaidpaint]

I've posted this question in the 'Law Library' subforum, but so far just crickets chirping. Well, not the question above, that's just to get people's attention .

The wife and I are moving to Australia this winter for a year or so, and I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on the laws pertaining to carrying knives. We'll be based in Brisbane, which the internet tells me is in Queensland. However, we plan on travelling, so if the laws are different in the various states, and possibly New Zealand, it would be best to know all that I can. The internet has provided me with a lot of untraceable remarks passed off as law, but none seem to have any official status. Many also seem to disagree with each other.

I currently live in Canada, so I can carry basically whatever I want, as long as I don't wave it around threateningly. Currently a Spyderco D'Allara drop point and a Leatherman Wave at work, and generally an Opinel or something else friendly looking when out in public. I'm guessing this will have to change somewhat, but I'd like to be prepared.

[Danzo]

Hi Dan

Another member of the DanClan!

We are an elite sub-group of BB members.



Australian knife carry law has become very restrictive. However because Oz is a country composed of federal states the laws can vary from state to state, much like Canada, of course.

I know that New South Wales, and Sydney in particular, have become very restrictive. To the extent of following the Irish example that the carry of ANY knife is illegal without good reason, including a sub 3" slipjoint.



Queensland always used to have more liberal laws, but that has changed. Even the Northern Territories, which used to have virtually no weapons laws at all, has restricted stuff.

I'll try and dig up the current legislation for you, if no Aussies come along!



Danzo

[Jerseyman]

Nomex pyjamas?

[Danzo]

For those who don't get the title of the thread, here's the mighty Midnight Oil, on full power:


http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=10BbpGKLXqk




Danzo

[BorderReiver]

Thanks for the eye opener Danzo, I hadn't realised there was a message in the song.

Good on 'em.

[JohnnyG]

Hi Dan

Another member of the DanClan!

We are an elite sub-group of BB members.





I know that New South Wales, and Sydney in particular, have become very restrictive. To the extent of following the Irish example that the carry of ANY knife is illegal without good reason, including a sub 3" slipjoint.




I'll try and dig up the current legislation for you, if no Aussies come along!



Danzo

Can you point me to where you read that Danzo please...



Here's one for ya...

During the course of the last few weeks I have had the garda up at the house...nothing silly, just giving statements re. break in ...car theft and "noise pollution" from the nightclubs..


Anyway as Im sitting there at the kitchen table giving a statement to garda "a" and garda "b", my eyes are drawn to my keys. On the keyring is a benchmade benchmite...(shock horror)



So i ask them while handing over the bunch
..."am i alright with this on my keys like this..."

Garda "a",
"...what is it..?...oh it's a little knife...ah yeah that's a grand little yoke alright...very handy on the keys sure..."

Me :
"..yes, but is it illegal for me to walk around with it on my keys like that..."

mild grin from garda "b" as he glanced at garda "a"

"...it's a little knife on a keyring...it's very handy if you ask me....i wouldn't worry about it..."

I left it at that....

[Danzo]

Can you point me to where you read that Danzo please...



Here's one for ya...

During the course of the last few weeks I have had the garda up at the house...nothing silly, just giving statements re. break in ...car theft and "noise pollution" from the nightclubs..


Anyway as Im sitting there at the kitchen table giving a statement to garda "a" and garda "b", my eyes are drawn to my keys. On the keyring is a benchmade benchmite...(shock horror)



So i ask them while handing over the bunch
..."am i alright with this on my keys like this..."

Garda "a",
"...what is it..?...oh it's a little knife...ah yeah that's a grand little yoke alright...very handy on the keys sure..."

Me :
"..yes, but is it illegal for me to walk around with it on my keys like that..."

mild grin from garda "b" as he glanced at garda "a"

"...it's a little knife on a keyring...it's very handy if you ask me....i wouldn't worry about it..."

I left it at that....

Aye of course.

Your boys from the Garda are, in my experience, really rather practical and sensible fellows. Much the best police officers I've ever encountered anywhere, especially in rural areas. One grand fellow helped me push our car out of a huge puddle somewhere in Northern Donegal. This was a two foot deep puddle. Gardai went back down the road, got a van out to haul us out of the puddle and had booked us a room at the only hotel in town!

As to the law bit, about the carry in Ireland, it happened a few years back. I'm pretty sure I'm right.

Danzo

[Zilth]

G'Day!

The general rule is "if looks like a knife and can be accessed, then don't carry".

Multitools and anything with the knife is a secondary item can be argued with 'I need it to perform my job as a thing bender/box opener". I've seen relatively few gerbers or leathermans on belts (in the city) but never on someone who looked like they'd be involved in a bar fight. Too many chilly cavity searches?

Fixed or folding will get you in trouble and a date with last nights crazies if it's seen. If it is 'found' on your person then your date will be with bubba while you await trial.

If you have to carry then put it in a non-attached bag and stay away from bars/streetfights...

Sorry, I don't like it either and plan to go bush/country town...

[Zilth]

oh and Peter Garrett is our Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts

[plaidpaint]

The general rule is "if looks like a knife and can be accessed, then don't carry".

Thanks, that's seems like a pretty simple rule to follow, if unfortunate . How do you open boxes and things in Australia? I'm afraid I'm going to feel a little naked for a while until I get used to it.

Does that apply mainly in the cities? Would there be more freedom/leniency when out camping in the bush? Wouldn't want to be fishing around in a duffle bag if I'm being attacked by wallabies.

[ZDP-189]

oh and Peter Garrett is our Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts

Ooooooh, how I would love to comment.