FILM CENS0RSHIP LAW TO BE AMENDED

Some amendments to the film censorship legislation were forecast by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Highet, today. He said he had taken note of the concern expressed by organisations and individuals on the nature of some of the films being exhibited. He had seen several of the films himself and he shared some of the misgivings expressed by others.

"I have no intention of setting myself up as a censor of films. If the current Act is deficient it is because it places too much responsibility on the shoulders of the Chief Censor and it would be wrong to shift the responsibility onto the shoulders of a Minister of the Crown. The last thing we want is political censorship," said the minister.

"Under the Act the Chief Censor is required to examine films to determine whether they are likely to be injurious to the public good and the Act lists a number of relevant considerations. Any person who has submitted a film and who is dissatisfied with the Chief Censor's decision, may refer the film to a Board of Review. In its first year of operation (1977-78) only three films were reviewed by the Board.

"I know that the Chief Censor is very carefully following the wording of the legislation", Said the Minister. "However, the result is that relatively few films are being referred to the Board of Review and I doubt that it was Parliament's intention that the Board should be so little involved in the censorship process. The board consists of seven members with different backgrounds and experiences and these members can provide a quality of community judgement which is beyond one person's capability.

D A Highet

31 October 1978

I have therefore asked my Department to draft legislative proposals which could enable the Board of Review to consider more of those films which are a cause of community concern. We must avoid swamping the Board with films for their consideration, but we must also ensure that they see sufficient films to enable certain standards to be established which will be a helpful guide to film makers, distributors and exhibitors.

"I would be very happy to receive proposals from the industry, community organizations and individuals on how the Act might be amended to achieve the objectives I have outlined. When I have considered the various proposals submitted I will advise the Government on the action I propose and I would expect an amending Bill to be placed before Parliament in 1979", said the Minister.