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Hey folks, 1st message, G'day, I'm a non-traditional one-man band (I sit down).
OK, straight to it. I'm right in the middle of a legal case involving being fined $200aus (2 seperate fines) for busking on Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne. This street is home to regular buskers, and I have busked there on and off over the last 6 years. I have not heard one word mentioned about a permit being required by the council and after speaking to other buskers, no-one else has either. This isn't a case of me being pissed off about being fined for not having a permit that I should have enquired about in the first place. I have busked in 15 countries, and always have been warned by either other buskers, council workers, or police, usually the case, ay? Well, without going into too much detail, I was warned in a strange sinister way.....ooooh.....see this old man who was standing metres away from me buskin (not watching, just hangin out) finally approached when a police arrived on the scene and surrounded me.
The mysterious man pulled out a badge - undercover council worker out at midnight. After the exchange of the usual 'What? A licence? Wow, didn't know, I'll look into it' the man says bla blah, if I get a licence within the next 2 working days (council time) I won't be fined. No worries, I thought. Went into council, wrote a letter of application, walked straight out with unfinished letter upon finding out it cost $41.20aus (25euro roughly) a week! Believe it or not. This is just your average 'alternative' street, not a big money maker. No fine was sent so I thought it was a one-off
After much investigation, I learnt that the council hasn't accepted a permit for at least 2 years, the last time being some kids at Christmas a few years ago. I went back to busk there 2 months later, and was busted again by police, no council worker. I showed no identification, didn't give my name. The police asked 'Have you got a licence, mate? to which I replied 'No, you can't get one'. The policeman then says with a smile 'That's right mate, now pack up'. Who knows how many buskers have been busted like this, but a few days later I received 2 fines, each dated for the above mentioned situations. Of course the second one will never hold up in court as I didn't show ID. That same council worker told me in a meeting I had the other day that he saw me from across the street, then must have went to work the next day and compiled a little report on me. Wow, what an employee!
So this is a situation of the council pretending they issue permits for ridiculous prices, don't accept any, then pretend to give buskers a chance at getting one, then hit 'em with a fine!
It is winter here now. It's pretty much myself and one other busker, so it's easier of course for council to take action, rather than summer when buskers are everywhere.
Anyway, wanna say thanks to all who gave information to this site and others that has helped with this case.
Cheers
OK, straight to it. I'm right in the middle of a legal case involving being fined $200aus (2 seperate fines) for busking on Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne. This street is home to regular buskers, and I have busked there on and off over the last 6 years. I have not heard one word mentioned about a permit being required by the council and after speaking to other buskers, no-one else has either. This isn't a case of me being pissed off about being fined for not having a permit that I should have enquired about in the first place. I have busked in 15 countries, and always have been warned by either other buskers, council workers, or police, usually the case, ay? Well, without going into too much detail, I was warned in a strange sinister way.....ooooh.....see this old man who was standing metres away from me buskin (not watching, just hangin out) finally approached when a police arrived on the scene and surrounded me.
The mysterious man pulled out a badge - undercover council worker out at midnight. After the exchange of the usual 'What? A licence? Wow, didn't know, I'll look into it' the man says bla blah, if I get a licence within the next 2 working days (council time) I won't be fined. No worries, I thought. Went into council, wrote a letter of application, walked straight out with unfinished letter upon finding out it cost $41.20aus (25euro roughly) a week! Believe it or not. This is just your average 'alternative' street, not a big money maker. No fine was sent so I thought it was a one-off
After much investigation, I learnt that the council hasn't accepted a permit for at least 2 years, the last time being some kids at Christmas a few years ago. I went back to busk there 2 months later, and was busted again by police, no council worker. I showed no identification, didn't give my name. The police asked 'Have you got a licence, mate? to which I replied 'No, you can't get one'. The policeman then says with a smile 'That's right mate, now pack up'. Who knows how many buskers have been busted like this, but a few days later I received 2 fines, each dated for the above mentioned situations. Of course the second one will never hold up in court as I didn't show ID. That same council worker told me in a meeting I had the other day that he saw me from across the street, then must have went to work the next day and compiled a little report on me. Wow, what an employee!
So this is a situation of the council pretending they issue permits for ridiculous prices, don't accept any, then pretend to give buskers a chance at getting one, then hit 'em with a fine!
It is winter here now. It's pretty much myself and one other busker, so it's easier of course for council to take action, rather than summer when buskers are everywhere.
Anyway, wanna say thanks to all who gave information to this site and others that has helped with this case.
Cheers
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