National MP Anne Tolley's Members Bill to ban child pornography in any Films, Videos or Publications in New Zealand has
been drawn from the ballot and will get its day in Parliament.
"This Bill will protect children from exploitation. It will ensure that child pornography, in any form, is deemed
objectionable and banned from our country.
"It will stop lawyers finding loopholes which force judges to let this despicable material into our country," Mrs Tolley
said.
A recent Court of Appeal decision (Moonen v Film & Literature Board of Review) ruled that regard must be given to the right to freedom of expression as specified in the
Bill of Rights when classifying an item as objectionable.
"These sorts of court decisions have muddied the waters about the interpretation of the original Act. I am concerned
that this will mean censors are more likely to err on the side of freedom of expression and increase the amount of
written objectionable material available, as it would take longer to review publications.
"Parliament didn't want any child pornography in our community whatsoever when it passed the original law and I am
determined to ensure that this intention is made explicit," Mrs Tolley said.
The Films, Videos, and Publications Classification (Prohibition of Child Pornography) Amendment Bill will give the
Censor the power to disregard the right to freedom of expression as specified in the Bill of Rights when classifying an
item deemed to depict, support or promote child pornography.
"The last thing we want is any form of child pornography in New Zealand - regardless of peoples' right to freedom of
expression," Mrs Tolley said.
Ends