CANBERRA, Australia - The federal government will put its new pornography bans for Aboriginal communities into effect on Sept. 14. According to a recent report, the Australian Feds are using print and radio ads to warn Northern Territorians of the upcoming bans.
The controversial ban, proposed by Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, is an attempt to fight child sex abuse among the country's indigenous communities. The move has been met with support from Christian lobbyists. Aboriginal leaders argue that the decision is discriminatory.
“These bans help create a safer place for the children, a living environment where they are not exposed to sexually explicit material,” Attorney General Philip Ruddock told The Age.
Under Prime Minister Howard's initiative — which was passed into federal parliament last month — hardcore pornography will be completely banned, and any computers that are publicly funded will be ceased and checked for pornography. The sale, possession and transportation of alcohol in the Northern Territory will also be banned, along with tighter restrictions on welfare payments. The bans will be enacted for six months, after which the policy would be reviewed.
According to The Age, people caught in possession of prohibited material will face fines ranging from $5,500 to $11,000. People caught in possession of five or more prohibited items will be automatically considered traffickers, even if they are not seeking financial gain out of supplying the material, and will face up to two years imprisonment.
Howard's initiatives are based on a controversial report, commissioned by the Northern Territory government, which found abuse existed in all of the 45 remote communities it visited but was unable to quantify the problem, instead suggesting that many abuse cases went unreported.
In addition to the educational advertisements, a 24-hour information line has been established to provide advice and information on the new policy.
