The law is a set of rules put in place to protect us, but sometimes it can get taken a little too far. At the end of the day, these strange rules Aussies have to follow can give us all a good laugh – and a few things to keep in mind as well.
1. It is illegal to have more than 50kg of potatoes in one place
Believe it or not police have a right to stop and search a person and their vehicle if there is suspicion of more than 50 kilograms of the vegetable in your possession. This strange law only applies in Western Australia (fortunately for everyone else).
2. Your grandkids probably can’t buy spray paint
Spray paint cans are only legally allowed to be purchased by a person over 18. However as weird as this law might seem, the government reports graffiti vandalism costs NSW local councils, business owners and private property owners up to $300 million each year alone.
On a national scale, removing illegal graffiti can come at a hefty price – a staggering $1.5 billion dollars is spent annually
3. Change your showerhead if you want to – but know it’s illegal
Rental property laws in Victoria require an owner to be asked by a renter to install “fixtures” or make “alterations” to a home. So, changing your lightbulb might not be a crime but don’t even think about changing your showerhead unless you want to break the law.
4. Walking on the right-hand side of a footpath in a busy Australian street is against the law
Police have the right to fine you if you are caught walking on the wrong side of the footpath – literally.
5. Pigeons are not ‘pets’ – according to Australian law
In Australia, native birds like cockatoos, finches, doves, ducks or pigeons are not allowed to be kept as home pets if they’ve been caught in the wild.
6. Don’t be a wedding or funeral crasher in South Australia – it’ll cost you
This obscure law prohibits anyone from attending a wedding or funeral in South Australia uninvited. If you choose not to listen, you might just get fined up to $10,000.
Did you know about any of these obscure laws in Australia? Tell us in the comments below.