Home   >   Opinion   >   Article       Doyle's dizzy graffiti
'solution' points to policy chaos  September 16 2002  The
Victorian Liberals' rush to appear tough on crime makes them
look more like Big Brother, writes Charles Richardson.  The
State Opposition is proposing that young people convicted of
graffiti offences should, as a deterrent, be prevented for an
additional year or two from obtaining drivers' licences.
Criticism of the idea will come from those who regard it as too
harsh on graffitists, seeing them perhaps as misunderstood
artists. Most people find this an implausible position; at least
for the sake of argument, it seems we can assume graffiti to be
a genuine problem.  Nor can it be suggested that being allowed
to drive is a "right" in any strong sense - if it were, the
arbitrary age restriction already imposed upon it would be more
of a concern. I am happy to believe there are many people on the
roads who never should have been given licences. Besides,
Melbourne's roads are overcrowded, and g