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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 10 Hansard (3 September) . . Page.. 2925 ..

MS FOLLETT (continuing):

I think it is also important that there be consistency in the decisions that are made in relation to films, publications and computer games, and clearly, if the director has the ongoing responsibility for decision-making, we ought to see that consistency occurring. I understand that the Bill has also simplified the making of applications for exemptions and so on, so that people who want to, say, mount a film festival do not get tied up for years in red tape in getting the necessary approvals.

I think we have come a long way in the debate on censorship in the past few years, particularly in this Assembly, and that is progress that I very much welcome. We have certainly shown small-l liberal and very adult attitudes to other sensitive issues which may well divide the community, and it is high time, I think, that we took a similar attitude to matters which come under the broad umbrella of censorship.

Mr Speaker, I believe, though, that I would be remiss in talking on these sorts of matters if I did not yet again mention my desire to see even further action taken against violence in films, video games and so on, and I know that this is a matter that has been taken up at the national level. I do not think it is time to drop the ball. I think it is an issue that remains current, and I believe it is an issue that the majority of the community would like to see action taken upon.

I support the Bill, Mr Speaker, and I look forward to further action being taken which would make the popular entertainment of films, video games and so on less violent and, in my view, less prone to brutalise, particularly, young people who may become used to that kind of violence and regard it as the norm, unfortunately. With those few thoughts, Mr Speaker, as I say, we support the Bill.

MS TUCKER (11.22): Mr Speaker, the Greens also will not be opposing this Bill. The purpose of the Bill is to extend the powers the Minister has to grant exemptions and approvals in respect of a film, publication or computer game to the director of the Classification Board, and the example that is cited in the presentation speech is film festivals. This Bill is part of an ongoing process to establish uniform laws across Australia, and earlier this year we debated the new censorship agreements. There seemed to be general agreement that a national approach is the best way to go, although there may be some exceptions, of course.

The question of censorship is often a tricky one, and there has been a lot of debate recently about the depiction of violence in films, videos and computer games. Protecting young people is probably the issue of greatest concern. As the National Committee on Violence noted in its report, the issue of violence in our society is very complex and is related to a number of factors, including cultural factors, schooling experiences, the home environment, influences of the media and films, as well as alcohol and other substance abuse, and so on. As far as censorship is concerned, the need to take into account community concerns about violence and material that condones sexual violence must be balanced against a principle that adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want because freedom of expression is also important.

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