Quote Originally Posted by Wayne View Post
I'm not sure you are correct Sextus. I think laws have been changed in the name of antiterrorism and child protection; and in the interests of commercial property. I've got two personal anecdotes.
One, a former colleague of mine was arrested on Coogee Beach for filming surfers. The police charged him with filming minors. It was thrown out of court, but his career was finished.
How did it get to court? No wonder it was thrown out. Google Luna Park images (for example) and look at the avalanche of innocent photos of children being themselves. Minors in photographs is merely capturing public reality. The polices' highest purpose is to protect rights, not abuse them. In this case they should be better advised by their superiors, as they are subject to civil suits for wrongful arrest.

Quote Originally Posted by Wayne View Post
Two, an acquaintance was fined for photographing the harbour bridge from the opera house. He is a professional journalist and the maritime board said he breached their copyright over the harbour shores - you are not allowed to photograph Sydney Harbour without permission.
Suppose you use a telephoto lens and get shots of the harbour from Potts Point?

There was a report in the paper the other day at Barangaroo where Ken Duncan, AO, called the bluff of Sydney Harbour rangers who tried to prevent him taking photos. They threatened to call the police on this Order of Australia guy. He replied: "Bring it on. I can't wait to see tomorrow's headline: "Ken Duncan arrested for taking photos." A police officer said he'd come, sure - "to shake Duncan's hand."

It is just money grubbing council bullshit and toothless intimidation. Everyone has a civic duty to ignore them.