My understanding of lasers being "attached" to telescopes is that they must in some way be "permanently" attached to the scope and not removable. In this case I believe you don't need a permit? I guess they figure you aren't going to hold the scope in your hands and start waving it around. If you are holding the laser in your hand, or are able to remove it from the scope, then you need a permit. I have my 30mW attached to the scope with a Lumicon bracket, which is removeable, but the only time I have taken it off was when the 5mW had gone dead due to the cold. Of course the 30mW was even colder and you could barely see the beam on the palm of your hand
The ASV enquired about getting a "group" license (which is implied in the response from the police) but it was refused, so I wouldn't hold my breath about getting some sort of group consideration in NSW (probably in the legislation to give the a "heart"...it is just not beating).
So my lasers are legal, I have done everything according to the law (IFAIK), I am paid up! So I just wish this whole issue would just go away so all of us who have no intention of misuse could just get on with our observing and public viewings. If they catch someone, I hope they chuck them in jail for a very long time....and throw away the key....maybe even shoot them at dawn
after they have been hung, drawn and quartered
....especially if they are a registered astronomical user (this would be the equivalent of treason)
.