I swear, the very fabric of our society is under attack from the state government's proposed anti-swearing push, with blue language at the footy, rude jokes at a live comedy show and rowdy banter at the bar all technically in breach of the Summary Offences Act.

In truth, they've all been out of bounds since the Act was introduced in 1966, but until 2008 anyone thus charged had to have their case heard in court. That took time and effort and got in the way of more pressing cases. Frankly, who could blame the legal system if it collectively decided it really couldn't be arsed to hear such matters - matters that Ross Garnaut might feasibly have described as "pissant"?

Wil Anderson ... ''Suddenly my [comedy festival] show is going to cost me a lot more next year."

But in July 2008, the former Labor state government introduced a trial under which police were given powers to issue on-the-spot fines of $238.90 to anyone deemed by an officer to have used indecent or offensive language in a public place. An amendment to the Act now before Parliament, and likely to be passed this week, will enshrine those powers.

Comedian Wil Anderson yesterday tweeted in response to the news. "Victoria announced on-the-spot fines of $240 for indecent language. Suddenly my [comedy festival] show is going to cost me a lot more next year."



Gold Logie winner Karl Stefanovic also tweeted his outrage. "Just [heard] the government wants to fine people for swearing. That's bullshit."



Melbourne International Comedy Festival director Susan Provan said she was taking a wait-and-see approach. "We at the Comedy Festival will be waiting with bated breath for news on what does and does not constitute swearing," she said. However, she added that the festival may need to consider hiring people "with bleepers in all areas of our activity".