Charity begins on the morning train

When is collecting for charity illegal? Surely it must be wrong to try to solicit money on public transport.
This morning we had two young collectors all suited up in their red cross track suits trying to get commuters to sign up for direct debit payments to their cause.
In Martin Place in the 7 blocks from Barrack Street to Macquarie Street I often have to avoid these pond scum as I walk to and fro. They are mostly backpackers making a quick buck so that they can keep travelling but I'm offended by the fact that they are being paid to collect for various charities. I give to 3 charities regularly. The creeps in the street don't know this of course (dont worry I have thought about wearing a sign) but they should take no for an answer. We are harrassed and chased and cajoled as we walk along and it is really annoying. I feel that if the charities have to pay these people then it's less money going to whoever needs it. The marketing strategies are quite intense too. You see them every morning in a little huddle...red cross, cancer research, sids, greenpeace etc all with uniforms on (another expense) getting instruction from their 'group leader' being given their quota for the day and being given lessons on how to entrap people who are just walking in the street trying to get to and from work.
I absolutely hate being approached by one of these insincere little twerps with their "HI" "HOW IS THIS LOVELY LADY TODAY?" They open their arms out wide (all the better to catch you with) smile this big, white, even toothed smile (all the better to talk you to death with) and look hurt if you ignore them or tell them to P*** off. Worse, they want you to sign up to have funds directly debited out of your account each month. Yeah like that's going to happen.
Soooooo imagine my annoyance at being confronted on my way to work on my favourite mode of transport. The worst part is that they are counting on you being too embarrassed to be rude to them. I could hear them coming down the isle of the train asking people if they were having a nice day and wouldn't it make them feel nicer if they signed up for a lifetime of being harrassed by money grubbing, feel nothing management companies that would sell their own mother to a Lebonese brothel if it would make them a dollar.
My only defence, I decided, was to be totally and unequivically filthily rude.
I looked up at my annoyer as she was speaking to me, I said nothing, I just stared at her with all the anger and frustration at her interuption showing on my face and kept staring at her until she faltered in her spiel and decided that it was not a good idea to keep talking.
I will give her 10 points for tenacity, she moved on to the next person without really skipping a beat.
A phone call to the charity involved a lot of 'holding' and no satisfaction at all. I had some goober telling me that it was not their policy to have people harass others at all let alone on public transport and that we should report any behaviour like that to someone who cares.
Couldn't give me a number to call of course.
Oh well I guess it is just another colourful thread in the rich tapestry of life. (retch)