Page 1007 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 26 July 1989
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MR STEFANIAK: I will read it out. There seem to be some further problems. For anyone who does not have a copy, the amendment is to the motion that the Bill be agreed to in principle. I move:
That all words after "That" be omitted and the following words substituted: "whilst not opposing the Bill, the Assembly is of the opinion that -
(1) x-rated and excessively violent film and video material is highly undesirable in the ACT;
(2) this material can be degrading to women and encourage violent attitudes in young people; and
(3) the ACT Government must introduce urgent legislation to ban the sale, distribution and exhibition of x-rated and excessively violent video and film material".
MR DUBY (5.11): I rise to support the Bill and to oppose the amendment, Mr Speaker. Whilst I acknowledge the motives behind Mr Stefaniak's proposed amendment, stating that the Assembly is of the opinion that X-rated and excessively violent film and video material is highly undesirable, I feel that he is simply not addressing the point.
He has said quite categorically throughout his address that excessive violence is the issue at hand here. X-rated films, I remind members, are of the type that should properly be called non-violent erotica. I think it has been proved time and time again, in all research that has been done, that X-rated or non-violent erotic film material has no adverse social effects.
To that point, I would like to address members' attention to the video and music business magazine of May 1989, I believe, and refer them to the editorial. If members like, I could read the editorial, which goes into the issue of censorship and X-rated material. I do not propose to do that, because of the simple fact that I think all members in this house have received a copy of this magazine. If they have not read that editorial, by goodness, they should.
It goes on to show a number of facts. It refers to overseas studies that show that there is absolutely no link whatsoever between erotic material and increases in sexual crimes, sexual assaults, rapes, et cetera. It does point out that, of the States of Australia, the one with the most stringent anti-erotic legislation and classification is Queensland but that it has the highest rate of rape in Australia.
I do not know the figures. I certainly would be prepared to bet that the rate of rape, sexual assault and crimes of a sexual nature in the ACT would be much, much lower than in Queensland or any other State where X-rated material is not available.
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