Announcement of ban on book detailing suicide methods

Arts Minister Kay Hallahan today announced a ban on the sale of a controversial new book detailing methods of suicide.

In a rare move, Mrs Hallahan overturned a recommendation of the WA Advisory Committee on Publications which favoured no restriction on the sale of the book 'Final Exit' by American based author Derek Humphry.

Mrs Hallahan, who has responsibility for censorship, said she was concerned about the effect the book might have on impressionable or depressed people.

"The book deals very explicitly with ways to commit suicide and ways to help terminally ill people hasten their own death," she said.

"I understand the Commonwealth Censor is recommending that a complete ban be placed on the book Australia wide.

"For this reason, in the interests of national uniformity, I have decided not to restrict the book but to impose an outright ban on its sale.

"If the book was only restricted in Western Australia, the State would be out of step with the rest of the nation and would be an opening to the Australian market for the publishers," she said.

The Minister said she understood a paperback release by Penguin Books was imminent.

In another move, Mrs Hallahan announced a crackdown on 'People' magazine over the offensive cover on its March 4 edition.

Mrs Hallahan said she had decided to impose restrictions on the sale, display and advertising of the edition.

This meant it would now be an offence to sell the magazine to people under the age of 18 years, and it could not be displayed or advertised.

"The cover depicts a young, naked woman on her hands and knees and wearing a dog collar and leash," she said.

"Our community cannot expect that attitudes toward women will improve when young people are exposed to this kind of image. It is way over the top."

Mrs Hallahan said she had asked the State's Advisory Committee on Publications to consider restricting all future issues of the magazine.

"The restriction could be lifted if it became clear that the publishers were taking a more responsible approach," she said.