Anne Tolley
National Women's Affairs Spokesperson
National Early Childhood Education Spokesperson

21 September 2000

Select Committee Stymies Child Porn Bill

National MP Anne Tolley is calling for the Government Administration Select Committee to get on with it and seek public submissions on her private members bill that would prohibit child pornography in any films, videos or publications in New Zealand.

"It has been three weeks since Parliament referred the Bill to the Select Committee and still public submissions have not been called for.

"The Government must get on with it. This Bill is too important to flounder at the Select Committee stage.

"The Films, Videos, and Publications Classification (Prohibition of Child Pornography) Amendment Bill would allow the Censor to disregard the right to 'freedom of expression' granted by the Bill of Rights when classifying an item deemed to depict, support or promote child pornography.

"This Bill enacts the original intention of Parliament in prohibiting child pornography.

"The Film and Literature Board of Review's recent decision on the Moonan case clearly states their belief that Parliament intended that child pornography be banned, without consideration of the Bill of Rights.

"My Bill will correct this anomaly and it would be outrageous for this Government to stymie the progress of this Bill and leave it wallowing in the Select Committee," Mrs Tolley said.

Ends

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