Australia: To Bare Or Not To Bare

Jan 1, 2009 by SWARAAJ CHAUHAN, International Columnist

Sydney’s Bondy Beach is among a few designated beaches in Australia where top-less bathers are permitted to enjoy the sun, sand and the sea. In fact such beaches are a major draw for tourists too!!! But as Australians begin their long summer holidays this year, a campaign is on to tighten nudity laws.

A Christian fundamentalist politician, the Rev Fred Nile, is calling for topless sunbathing to be outlawed, and he has received backing from several mainstream MPs, reports The Independent.

“While nudity is illegal in Australia except on designated beaches, local councils consider toplessness acceptable. Mr Nile wants the legislation to be tightened. ‘The law should be clear,’ he said. ‘It must say: ”Exposure of women’s breasts on beaches will be prohibited”.

“In the 1940s, a legendary beach inspector, Aub Laidlaw, patrolled the golden sands, ruler in hand, ensuring that men’s and women’s bathing costumes conformed to bylaws governing public decency.

“The fanatical Mr Laidlaw retired in 1969, eight years after the bikini was legalised, but now his ghost is once again stalking Sydney’s beaches.” More here…

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