澳洲骂人者将被处罚款

澳大利亚第二大州维多利亚将于本周通过一项最新法令，规定执法警务人员可以对那些在公共场所爆粗口的人当场实施罚款，最高可罚240澳元。

Australians may have a love of plain speaking but new laws are set to curtail¹（缩减） some of their more colourful language with police issuing on-the-spot fines for obnoxious²（讨厌的） swearing.

The country's second most populous³ state Victoria is due to approve new legislation this week under which police will be able to slap fines of up to Aus$240 (US$257) on people using offensive words or phrases.

Victorian Attorney-General Robert Clark said the penalties, similar to those issued for speeding or parking illegally, would free up police time.

"This will give the police the tools they need to be able to act against this sort of obnoxious behaviour on the spot, rather than having to drag offenders⁴ off to court and take up time and money in proceedings," he said.

But even the state's top lawyer admitted to swearing sometimes.

"Occasionally I mutter things under my breath as probably everybody does," he told ABC radio.

"But this law is not targeted at that, it's targeted at the sort of obnoxious, offensive behaviour in public that makes life unpleasant for everybody else."