A Sydney driver is claiming a serious infringement of his freedom of speech after transport authorities compelled him to surrender his personalised number plates, asserting they pay homage to one of history's most notorious figures.
The Disputed Plates and The Official Response
Eddie, a business director, was ordered by Transport for NSW to hand back his 'ILDUCE' plates or face having his vehicle registration suspended. The term 'Il Duce' translates from Italian as 'The Leader'. Eddie explained to 2GB radio host Ben Fordham that he chose the plates to reflect his role as company director, asking, "What's wrong with that?"
Transport for NSW, however, deemed the plates inappropriate, political, and promotive of violence, also suggesting they contained a sexual reference. The authorities had received complaints from members of the public who found the plates offensive due to their association with fascist Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who famously used the nickname Il Duce.
A Deeper Historical Context and Other Controversial Plates
Josh Murray, Secretary for Transport for NSW, later clarified the decision, noting that while the events may seem distant, the term 'Il Duce' is overwhelmingly associated with Mussolini. He highlighted the historical impact, stating, "There were 450,000 Italians who died during that reign and Mussolini was the ally of Hitler." Mr Murray added that the term has been largely retired in Italy itself, with Italians preferring the English word 'leader' to avoid the connection.
In his defence, Eddie argued this was a transgression of his rights to political speech and an example of the "woke left imposing their thoughts on our society." He also pointed to what he considered a more offensive plate in western Sydney, '44YRI', which he claimed translates to a rude phrase in Arabic.
A Wider Pattern of Plate Rejection
This incident is not isolated. Transport for NSW rejects approximately 500 number plate applications per year for reasons including offensive language, racial or cultural issues, or references to speeding. In a recent similar case, a Lebanese-Australian man was required to surrender his 'FU2IDF' plates, which he had registered as a silent protest regarding the Gaza conflict, after authorities decided they could cause public disagreement.
Eddie, who had paid $900 for the now-confiscated plates, maintains that his intent was purely professional, with the car being under his company's ownership. The dispute underscores the ongoing challenge for authorities in balancing personal expression with public sensibilities on official vehicle registrations.
