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