Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

I dunno, I think it's sometimes useful for getting a bit of perspective when you feel yourself raging over really insignificant stuff; however, I agree that it can be used to prevent any dissent about anything and can be used a bit like way way back when grandparents would say, "eat all your dinner; there are starving children in the world!".

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

But what's the definition of that 'absolute' term? In The UK it is 'reasonable grounds to suspect' that an [indictable] offence has been committed (and also seen committed).

If the burden of proof for a store detective is absolute, then I can't think how they would ever detain anybody?


S

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

Sounds an easy solution. Just keep walking. Assuming you haven't stolen anything, any physical detainment is assault.

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

Yeah, it certainly is...


S

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

Well, here's the situation in NSW: The Bagcheck Code of Practice for NSW The Bagcheck Code of Practice for NSW

Looks like Cert IV in Bag Checking is a must :)

Personally, it doesn't always bother me, but if I am weighed down with multiple bags, then I'll probably avoid the shop rather than enduring the rigmarole of going through a couple of bags. Then it becomes their loss...


S

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

It says you can refuse. But then the shopkeeper can ask you to leave the property - you were leaving anyway.

Now this is open to interpretation. I certainly wouldn't want a sign like this outside my shop, but then again I wouldn't conduct bag searches because I would understand that my customers are the ones that put food on my families table.

Signage establishing entry conditions should be prominently
displayed at entrances to stores, be written in simple language
and should indicate:
 that agreeing to checks is a condition of entry; and
 that checks are done on bags, parcels, cartons and containers
Supplementary signage should indicate the shopkeeper's
commitment to the Bagcheck Guidelines, particularly in regard to
the checking of personal handbags.
The Bagcheck Guidelines Summary Statement will be
incorporated into any literature that the store manager provides
to customers on receipt of enquiries.

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

Come on - it's NSW, where even the simplest things need complex rules, regulations or codes of practice...


S

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

Actually, these set of rules are so vague they aint worth the paper. Same with most of the Office of Fair trading rules. They are more guidelines than rules

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

No one has ever asked to look in my bag.

However; my 14 year old daughter and her friends always get checked.

I've seen people be checked and as long as they hold their bag open they get a cursory glance and waved on. It seems pointless to me!

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

what does 'reasonable grounds to suspect' mean? mere suspicion? actual sighting? recorded sighting? if the 'reasonable grounds' turned out to be incorrect, can i sue for illegal detention?

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

Apparently not in the UK. 'I arrest you on suspicion off . . . " its used as a way of detainment.

The US uses "I arrest you for ........"

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

The impression I get is that staff who are employed to do these tasks are often not the sort of people who are necessarily quick over 40m or 100m let alone out to the carpark...you could probably lap a few times around the mall until they tire...

Even the Melbourne burly ticket inspectors are now instructed to not give chase - on the grounds of elfin safety -but there have been incidents where they have got a bit excited.

In shops, I just swing my bag in their direction - in most cases they are not interested and a helpful smile too helps.

Tell me about some of the rules in place for the simplest things Swervo!

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

Well, in recent months the bureaucratic excitement myself and my neighbour had to go through to get a rotten and dangerous tree removed. Despite the fact that it was rotten and termite damaged through its core and had dropped a huge limb into my garden and was plainly dangerous, the council were unwilling to let it be removed because it still had some green leaves on it. Even the tree surgeon had condemned it and stated it was a danger to people in the case that it dropped more limbs. But we still had to go through a lengthy appeal process where we had to explain all of this, and detail how the tree was intruding into the sewer and undermining the foundations of the surrounding houses. Still no go. In the end it was only when we asked the council to assume responsibility for any future damage and/or injury that the tree may cause in the future did they decide that it should probably come down.

Another is the fact that I have discovered that I need to submit a full development application - architects drawings, environmental impact assessment, disability access assessment etc - so that I can repaint my front door a different colour.

And trying to get visitors parking permits so that I can have more than one car owner come over for dinner on a Saturday evening evening - also not a simple process. Lots of red tape and stuffing about for something that should be reasonably simple.


There's your starter for three :)


S

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

Unfortunately bureaucracy and red tape has been taken to a whole new level in Australia. Importing a vehicle is an obvious example.

Re: Bag checks when leaving Australian shops
 

I used to get that all the time from Mum, except it was the starving children in Africa (obviously, Mum thought that all children in other countries were well fed)

I get what you're saying about perspective and that's a good thing to keep in mind. Nevertheless, if you're having a rant about something and someone tosses in 'first world problem', that's hardly likely to improve your mood :lol: