<< back to archive index Date: 31st January Censorship? Contrary to popular belief, the sale of non-violent erotica, or Adult films rated X by the Office of Film & Literature Classification (OFLC) is illegal in NSW due to scare mongering by the Fred Niles of this world back in the 1980’s. Regardless of that fact, any person over the age of 18 can walk into an Adult bookshop, and purchase a video or a D.V.D. You can mail order it from the ACT and it’s OK to own it, but not meant to buy the stuff here! The X classification is a legal category under the Federal Act, but illegal in NSW. However, X 18+ rated non-violent erotic films are being sold in all manner of outlets such as petrol stations and family video stores in NSW despite penalties of 12 months jail.There is now an emerging market selling sexually violent RC (Refused Classification) pirated material. According to the EROS Association, over 3 million adult videos and DVDs are sold in NSW with a turn over of more than $45 million a year! The profits made from the sale of X-rated films are very substantial. The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft estimated the cost of counterfeit movie and pornographic DVDs to be worth $200 million.The Eros Association estimate that 80% of adult videos sold in NSW are pirated copies and 75% haven’t been classified. The Carr government had a chance to bring the NSW Act into line with the Federal Act and enable effective classification regulation but chose to keep their heads in the sand. A parliamentary inquiry into the Classification Act recommended “the Attorney-General consider either establishing a licensing scheme, similar to that which operates in the ACT to allow controlled premises to sell X-rated material in NSW or taking more enforcement action against breaches of the legislation. But, the Car government has failed to act on either options and films showing the most abhorrent sexual acts are being sold in Adult bookstores, along side Adult films which have been classified X18+ non violent erotica by the (OFLC). It is clear current laws are now obsolete and the police have better things to do than busting someone for selling Debbie Does Dallas. Progressive M.P.’s have recognized that the law needs to be changed and the State has to regulate the sale of X-rated adult films in NSW to and close operators who also sell (R.C.) films in Adult bookshops. The Premier has shown lack of leadership and consistency on the censorship debate. “The Premier came out courageously against the banning of the French Art House film Baise Moi when he was quoted in The Australian May the 13th 2002 saying: “I don’t like the idea of adults being told what they can see and what they can read.” The Carr government and the Coalition did not support amendments to regulate the sale of X-rated films in NSW moved by Reform The Legal System MLC, Mr Peter Breen, and opposed attempts made by Dr Chesterfield-Evans to refer government legislation amending the Classification Act to a parliamentary Committee in parliament last night. “Bob Carr pretends to be a civil libertarian and anti-censorship. He talks the talk, but won’t walk the walk on a controversial, but common sense issue that only a handful of progressive MP’s are willing to take a stand on,” Dr Chesterfield-Evans concluded.

home | about | ace at work | issues & projects | media | links | sitemap

updated: March 24, 2005