Review of the National Classification Scheme Announced
21
Dec
21 December 2010
| Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor will |
| ask the Australian Law Reform Commission to conduct a review of classification in Australia |
| in light of changes in technology, media convergence and the global availability of media |
| content. |
| “As Australia’s foremost law reform institution the ALRC is well suited to lead this important |
| work. The Commission previously conducted an inquiry into laws relating to classification |
| and censorship in 1991,” Mr McClelland said. |
| Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor said current classification categories would be |
| considered as part of the review. |
| “It has become increasingly clear that the system of classification in Australia needs to be |
| modernised so it is able to accommodate developments in technology now and in the future,” |
| Mr O’Connor said. |
| “When the National Classification Scheme began, classifiable content and the way it was |
| delivered to consumers was relatively static.” |
| “Today, films can be watched in a cinema, on DVD, on TV or downloaded. Many video |
| games include significant film segments to tell stories, and some films have interactive |
| content. The National Broadband Network will increase this ready access to classifiable |
| content.” |
| “People, particularly parents, need a system of classification in Australia that allows them to |
| make informed choices about what they wish to read, see and hear,” Mr O’Connor said. |
| “This important review will look not only at classification categories, but also at the whole |
| classification system to ensure it continues to be effective in the 21st century.” |
| The National Classification Scheme is a cooperative scheme between the Commonwealth and |
| the States and Territories. |
| The Attorney-General’s Department is seeking comments on the proposed terms of reference |
| for the review. The proposed terms of reference can be found at www.classification.gov.au. |
| Any comments should be provided by 28 January 2011. |
| Media |