Classification Board

A recent audit of 30 teen sex magazines by the Australian Classification Board found 27 illegally on the shelves of corner stores, convenience stores and petrol stations. 15 were wrongly classified, 12 had never gone through the classification system. The Classification Board looked into the matter after the titles were referred to it by Julie Gale, director of Kids Free 2B Kids. Classification Board director Donald McDonald wrote to Ms Gale saying that police had been notified as none of the distributors had complied with the call-in notice. Women’s Forum Australia said: The response vindicates the assertion of Kids Free 2B Kids and WFA that many Category 1 magazines sold in the public arena do not adhere to the guidelines, are not classified or contain RC (Refused Classification) content. These magazines are sold in milk bars, 7-Elevens, newsagents, convenience stores and petrol stations throughout Australia. Many of the titles incite sex with minors and promote rape and incest. Following complaints, BP, Shell/Coles Express and Mobil removed the sale of all Category 1 magazines from their stores nationwide. We are still waiting for 7-Eleven, United Petroleum and McDonalds Fuelzone franchise to do the same.
Action: Womens Forum Australia is asking people to contact these organisations urging them to remove this material
Contact details:

• 7-Eleven: http://www.7eleven.com.au/contact/
• McDonald’s Fuelzone Customer Service email: mcf33dback@au.mcd.com
• United Petroleum: http://www.unitedpetroleum.com.au/contact.asp

Naltrexone Hopes

The West Australian had a special feature on Drugs and your Family April 15, 2009 which outlined tips for parents and ways to get a fresh start. It showed the work of George O’Neil who for 11 years has been offering Naltexone treatment and Christian teaching to drug addicts. During Premier Colin Barnett’s weekly slot on 6PR Radio Station 6PR talkback this week, Dr O’Neil called him, saying the clinic, Fresh Start, was in dire financial problems and would not be able to survive beyond coming Wednesday. Mr Barnett gave an indication the Government was considering funding the clinic. For info and to make a donation visit: http://freshstart.org.au/

Christian survey

A survey of 2500 Australians by the Centre for Public Christianity found that 87% know that Easter concerns the resurrection of Jesus while 4% confused Easter and Christmas. For more: http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=12853