This has implications for any freelancer shooting pics in many public areas – Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and Waverley Council for example have quite nasty restrictions. [oops! I could have been very seriously busted a few times recently!]

Duncan chairs an umbrella body, Arts Freedom Australia, which represents Australia’s major photographic associations as well as many individual photographers, is protesting the growing laws that restrict photography.

Duncan (who made his fortune before today’s regulations were put in place), says that these days, Australian photographers (professional, part-time or amateur) can risk getting a criminal record for taking a picture of a rock.

AFA recently completed a comparative study of legislation and policies imposed on photographers and film-makers within Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America and found Australian photographers and film-makers were seriously affected by a myriad of rules and regulations that impose prohibitive restrictions, high fees, and bureaucratic application protocols.

More information here: http://www.artsfreedomaustralia.com/blog/?p=99