Page 2048 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 5 June 1990
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local women's organisation which originally drew the item to my attention and that of the appropriate authorities. I will be interested to see what classification the Commonwealth applies to that particular item.
Mr Speaker, in view of the fact that the matter is yet to be considered for classification, I feel it would be inappropriate for me to outline specific details to the Assembly, but I would like to say that I do have a copy of the particular item and if anyone would like to see it they can see me later. Also I seek leave to table a photocopy of a photo.
Leave granted.
MS MAHER: I congratulate the Attorney-General for proposing these regulatory measures and we will watch with interest his endeavours to encourage a national approach to the regulation of the X-rated video industry and the introduction of a new national classification - that of RV, or restricted violence - which is of greater concern to most of the population than X-rated. This initiative must await the outcome of the next meeting of the State Attorneys-General. As you are aware, our Attorney-General, Mr Collaery, has already put it on the agenda and has written to the Federal Attorney-General.
Also of great concern to me is the public presentation of material which in my opinion appears to trivialise and glorify violence, particularly violence towards women. It is a matter of great regret that the ACT has been denied the power to make laws about the classification of materials for the purpose of censorship. We should not have to rely on another authority - namely, the Commonwealth - however well intentioned or competent, to determine what is permissible in publications circulated within the ACT. I welcome the introduction of this legislation and will be watching its enforcement with interest.
MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition) (8.16): Mr Speaker, this is a most peculiar Bill from a most peculiar Attorney-General and a very peculiar Government indeed. The Bill, together with the video tax Bill, proves that the current Government is completely opportunist, if any further proof were needed.
The Bill shows that the Residents Rally and the Liberals care nothing for consistency or logic, and it follows in the grand tradition that they established with the fluoride debate of making up one's mind one way on a matter of great principle, arguing about it at length, shouting it from the rooftops, and then ending up doing exactly the opposite.
The Bill contains one or two provisions to which we have no objection. For example, the new offence created by clause 5 of this Bill, of assisting a minor to obtain an X film, appears reasonable. The amendment in clause 7 which
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