Crack-down on material showing teenagers involved in explicit sexual activity

2/7/94

The State Government has taken action to crack down on magazines and literature depicting teenagers and young people engaging in explicit sexual activity.

Under new policy, effective immediately, the State Advisory Committee on Publications will refuse classification to material which carries a title suggesting sexual involvement of teenagers or contains pictorial material involving or suggesting teenage sexual activity.

The change will affect all future publications bought for sale in Western Australia.

Attorney General Cheryl Edwardes, the Minister responsible for censorship matters in WA, said today that the decision reflected community concern about the availability of magazines using young models in sexually-explicit poses.

She had asked the committee to apply a more stringent interpretation on the classification guidelines.

"Magazines which portray young people engaging in explicit sexual activity are a real concern to me - whether it is as the Attorney General, Minister for Women's Interests or as a mother," she said.

"My prime motivation has been the best interests of our young people and I am confident the vast majority would agree with this decision.

"These sorts of magazines clearly breach acceptable community standards.

"It would be hypocritical in the extreme to continue classifying this material when we have led the charge against paedophiles and sex tours."

Mrs Edwardes said that the industry had been notified of the change.

Media contact:  Hugh Ryan 222 9595