Page 1412 - Week 05 - Thursday, 13 May 1993
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Apart from that, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I must say that the Opposition does support the principle that there ought to be some controls over access to these sorts of films, whether in cinemas or in video outlets. I do believe that some resources should be devoted to ensuring that this is more than just tokenism; "Oh, we have some concern out in the community. We had better do something about this, so we are going to do something about it by passing a law - not enforcing it, but passing a law". That would not be a good position to be in. I hope that this Bill is administered; that it is resourced to the extent necessary to actually make cinema owners aware that there is a duty on them; that their duty and how they can best discharge it is explained clearly to them; and that we do protect young people in this community from exposure to some films which could in fact affect them on a long-term basis in a way we would not wish to see as members of this community.
MS SZUTY (11.25): Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, the Government has expressed its support for the Prime Minister's initiative to introduce a new classification which denotes the more violent and explicit film and video releases. This classification is to be called MA, for mature audiences, and the two Bills before us today give effect to that support.
I have supported in past debates in this chamber, and I do now, the need for better classification of video and film material which allows both parents and young adults to choose appropriate entertainment for themselves. From now on parents will know that they are expected to accompany their children to movies with an MA rating, that PG-rated movies indicate that parental guidance is needed, that M-rated movies contain material which is considered likely to disturb, harm or offend and are recommended for mature audiences over 15, and that G-rated movies are considered as being suitable for all age groups, with minimal reference to violence, sexual behaviour or coarse language. These ratings, along with the existing adults only R and X ratings, clarify the situation, particularly after the wide coverage given to the issue by the media.
There is also a proposal to extend this revamped classification system to television broadcasts. TV currently uses a system which uses a special C classification for material suitable for children, PG which indicates the need for parental guidance and judgment as to the suitability of the material for children, and AO which denotes adults only. As the films which are shown on television can be from any category of the film and video classification, I feel that there is a lot of merit in using the same system for theatre and video outlets and television broadcasting. I feel that the system does strike some difficulties when it comes to classification of the news, which is not currently classified, while talk shows and other live entertainment are classified. With the common complaint that the news is often more violent than any movie or drama, perhaps it is time we started tackling this difficult problem of classification.
While on the subject of television program ratings, I would also like to lend my support to the retention of the C rating for children. It serves an exceptionally useful role in allowing parents to see at a glance what television programming is appropriate for their younger children. For example, if the C classification were removed, cartoon programs, Play School, reruns of Hogan's Heroes, Toxic Crusaders and Home and Away would all, I presume, receive a G rating. The content of each is quite different, and without the C classification I am not sure that many parents would recognise new programs as being particularly suitable for primary
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