Thread by @ellymelly

.@RebelNewsOnline are challenging the constitutionality of #Victorian police censorship.

You can watch along with us.

Cotterill v Romanes on #Vimeo vimeo.com/579189795?ref=…

Victorian woman Kerry Cotterill was standing by herself outside holding a fun, handmade sign critical of #DanAndrews when she was swarmed by #VictorianPolice and fined $1,652.

"TOOT TO BOOT [dan andrews]"

Political communication was not included in the provisions for lawful reasons to leave home during Victoria's #StayAtHome orders - despite all other rules being observed.

Do Victorians have the right to dissent from the premier?

Restrictions were meant to control a global & dangerous pandemic but the question remains whether the Act should have preserved the implied freedom of #PoliticalCommunication - especially if there is no scientific basis to support holding a sign is more dangerous than exercising.

"She no longer stands in jeopardy of being charged with an infringement against the directions. [...] She will have the satisfaction of knowing that she was right. [...] In our view, that is not a basis for standing."

"We would argue that it is not in the interests of justice to go ahead to decide a constitutional question."

We are now at whether or not a person wearing a political T-shirt should be allowed to exercise if they are considered to have a 'duel purpose'...🧐

"If they leave for two purposes -exercising & engaging in a political communication- we say, that's not how to construed the direction. That person is not engaging in a permitted activity for the entire time they are out of their home."

Is the gov outlawing political commentary?

We still haven't reached the real point. Would she have been approached by police if her sign had been 'pro-government' in nature?

There is considerable doubt that #Victorian Police would have harassed her if she had an 'I love #DanAndrews' sign.

This is basically, 'people are free to wear what they want - subject to exceptions... exceptions which amount to being nice to #DanielAndrews'.