DISSENTING REPORT BY GOVERNMENT SENATORS
1.1
The Australian Government recognises that the National Classification
Scheme is in need of review, particularly in light of changes in technology,
media convergence and the global availability of media content. For this reason,
the Attorney-General has asked the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to
conduct a review of the National Classification Scheme to ensure it continues
to be effective in the 21st century.[1]
1.2
As the Attorney-General and the Minister for Home Affairs and Justice
have noted, the ALRC's National Classification Scheme Review will be comprehensive,
and will involve widespread public consultation across the community and
industry.[2]
In addition, the Attorney-General has appointed Professor Terry Flew, a Professor
of Media and Communication in the Creative Industries Faculty at Queensland
University of Technology, as Commissioner in charge of the ALRC's National
Classification Scheme Review.
1.3
The ALRC's National Classification Scheme Review is ongoing and will not
report until January 2012. Government Senators believe that the ALRC's review,
given its comprehensive nature and expert leadership, is the appropriate forum
in which to consider reform to the National Classification Scheme. For that
reason, Government Senators cannot support many of the proposals in the
committee's report.
1.4
Government Senators do, however, agree with and support the following
recommendations in the majority report: Recommendations 3, 12 and 30.
Senator Trish
Crossin Senator
Mark Furner
Deputy Chair
Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page