This case was about '[a] student, in the course of a political demonstration against the Vietnam war, hung a placard upon, and squatted on the pedestal of, a statue erected as a public memorial to King George V outside Parliament House, Canberra.' It was held that this behaviour was not 'offensive' within the meaning of s 17(d) of the Police Offences Ordinance 1930-1961 (ACT).

Ball v McIntyre (1966) 9 FLR 237

Offensive conduct and language offences in New South Wales aim to regulate public behaviour by enforcing community standards. However, these laws rely on broad police discretion, which has led to disproportionate impacts on Aboriginal people, especially in regional areas. This has prompted continued calls for law reform.