Internet Filtering

The Communications Minister Stephen Conroy announced that the Govt will make it compulsory for Internet Service Providers to filter the worst of the worst pornography and violence from the internet.

This means that child porn, rape porn, bestiality and anything else judged as Refused Classification (RC) under Australia’s classification laws, such as instruction in crime and drug use, will be blocked.

The Australian Christian Lobby says that this is a great first step in protecting children from the harms of pornography online.

For Conroy’s media release: http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/115

Action: the ACL asks people to write to Sen Conroy thanking him for this move. The ACL says that it is important that the minister hears from people when he announces good policy and from people with real concerns for the safety of kids online. Contact details:

Senator Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Level 4, 4 Treasury Place
Melbourne Vic 3002

His e-mail address is senator.conroy@aph.gov.au.

Kids Free 2B Kids

Kids Free 2B Kids is coming to Perth Nov 8, 2009, 12-4pm Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre. Discussed by various experts at the Generation Next seminar will be internet and cyber safety, media and sexualisation, alcohol & Drugs, Parenting Tips & Traps, Sex and Teenagers. For more: http://www.gennextseminars.com/program.html

Sex party

The Australian Electoral Commission has been seeking comments relating to formation of a new party, The Australian Sex Party. If you believe that the party should not be registered because under the Electoral Act the party does not meet the eligibility criteria for registration, or the party’s application has not been correctly made, or the party’s name and/or abbreviation are prohibited you may lodge an objection to the AEC by July 17. For more info go to http://www.aec.gov.au.

The Party is supported by the Australian adult industry trade group, Eros Association.

For more on the party: http://www.sexparty.org.au/

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

Petrol stations

Mobile Australia has joined BP and Shell in removing category 1 porn magazines from its service stations. The think tank Women’s Forum Australia (WFA) and child advocacy group Kids Free 2B Kids have jointly commended Mobil Australia for responding to the concerns of women. To read their media release visit: http://www.womensforumaustralia.org/images/081211Mobil%20congratulated.pdf

BP removes porn from petrol stations

Petrol retailer BP Australia is said to have pulled pornographic magazines off shelves at 250 of its outlets.
The ACL says BP Australia’s President, Gerry Hueston, is to be congratulated for his stand against the degradation of women. Please e-mail him now at csccomplaints@se1.bp.com. Thank him and tell him you will buy BP fuel.
More info visit: www.acl.org.au

New Sex party

ACL has challenged Australia’s main political parties to ensure the newly-formed Australian Sex Party is placed last on how-to-vote cards in upcoming State and Federal elections.
The new party, founded by the Eros Association, was launched at the Melbourne Sexpo yesterday.