Gregory Johnson
Qld State
Member of Parliament
National Party
Electorate: Gregory
Had these concerned words to say in the debate into the Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development Legislation Amendment Bill 2005.
QUEENSLAND PARLIAMNENT
51ST PARLIAMENT
TUESDAY, 10 MAY 2005
Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—NPA) (4.20 pm): The Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development Legislation Amendment Bill 2005 is a very important piece of legislation. I know that parallels have been drawn with the national classification system for home computer games and films. I believe that we have to take a long, hard look at our society today in relation to the classification system. I know that the minister is passionate about this issue, too. I think we share a common view about what is happening. Some of these exhibitions, whether they be movies or computer games—and I want to particularly talk about movies—leave a lot to be desired. Late last night, at about 10 or 11 o’clock, I turned on the TV to SBS. What I saw on SBS was absolute filth. That is what it was—absolute filth. I am no prude, but a little kid could be up at that hour—we know kids are up at that hour—and could see that sort of exhibition. What hope have we got? I draw the parliament's attention to that today. We have review mechanisms in place in this legislation. I know there are review mechanisms in place, but at the same time I think some of the responsibility should rest with the people who put these programs to air. They should be showing leadership and responsibility in relation to what is shown on our screens. I know there are adult shops around the place and I know that people can buy adult films, but at the end of the day we have to protect our young people. There is a table in the explanatory notes that lists existing film and computer games classification types. There is G, which is general; G8+, which is general for age eight and over; and M15+, which is mature for those aged 15 and over. What is the difference between a seven-year-old and an eight- or nine-year-old? I know that this is the old classification system, but this is where there needs to be closer scrutiny. I know that members on both sides of the House have canvassed these issues in the past, but it comes back to one thing: there is violence on the square box—there is no doubt about it—and the violence is unacceptable in many cases. We should be taking a long, hard look at some of these films in question. If I see a violent movie or see something violent even on the news, I turn the TV off and walk away. I do not like it and there are probably a lot of people who think that way. When a young person sees that sort of thing, they must think that people condone that. That is how their little minds become warped. I hope that the measures in this legislation will address that. At the end of the day, it is up to the parents. A lot of parents and guardians work different hours. But what price can you put on our young people? We cannot put a price on them and they are not negotiable. I think we have to closely scrutinise how this is policed in the future because, when it comes to crime, these films and computer games can be the root of evil. The police are trying to do a job and when they ask juveniles, ‘Where did you see that?’ they answer, ‘I saw it on TV.’ They think it must be okay because they saw it on the TV. We live in a permissive society today. There is a different set of values today from the set of values that the 89 members of this parliament were brought up with. I think we have to be hard and fast about making some changes. I hope that the minister can keep her hands on the wheel and that we will see outcomes of better viewing for our young people and hopefully more enjoyment and entertainment. When I was a child we did not have TV. In latter years some good movies came out and we can still watch those movies today.
Barnaby Joyce
Qld Federal
Member of the Senate
National Party
On his very first day in the job he set out his pro-censorship credentials by issuing these two media releases.
Media Release
Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce
Friday, 1 July 2005
Religious 'Comedy' Crosses the Line.
New National Senator Barnaby Joyce is outraged a television series banned in Britain and New Zealand will be aired next week on Foxtel's Comedy Channel. (IT IS NOT BANNED IN NEW ZEALAND. IT HAS BEEN SCREENING SINCE JUNE 9TH)
Senator Joyce says 'Popetown', and animated 'comedy' show set in the Vatican, is highly offensive and has no place on Australian screens.
"The program is a huge insult to the Catholic Community and to all Christians, who have a respect for the Papacy," Senator Joyce said.
"There is a line between what's considered satirical humour and what's just offensive. 'Popetown' crosses that line.
"It shows a serious lack of respect for a key world figure and sets a terrible example for young Australians (AND PEDOPHILE PRIESTS DO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE?)
"If this is the standard of programming we can expect then I suggest we should be looking at our television licensing agreements and where we're directing our funding (UNLESS HOWARD HAS WORKED OUT SOME SECRET DEAL WITH PACKER AND MURDOCH, EXACTLY HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT FUND FOXTEL? YOU HAVE TO PAY AT LEAST $50 A WEEK TO RECEIVE IT)
"We need to raise the bar when it comes to media censorship and what we as Australians find acceptable entertainment," he said.
Media Release
Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce
Friday, 1 July 2005
Senator Disgusted at Late Night Viewing
"Inappropriate and insulting" is how the National Senator Barnaby Joyce has labelled the documentary 'In Search of the Perfect Penis', screening tonight on SBS Television.
The Senator is horrified advertising for the documentary in a major newspaper included pictorial references to the Pope.
"It is especially insulting to the Catholic Community and shows a great lack of respect for all Christians," Senator Joyce said.
This really is the lowest form of entertainment and viewers have nothing to gain from tuning in.
"If this is the standard of programming we can expect then I suggest we should be looking at our television licensing agreements and where we're directing our funding
***
In Senate Estimates on October 31st 2005, Joyce
had his first chance to grill SBS. Programs up for discussion included
(surprise, surprise) QUEER AS FOLK and the documentary Lost
Worlds: The Real Family of Jesus. The latter, a program that prompted
Joyce to say:
"I want you to take it on notice that we are on notice, that we are watching and that every time this sort of garbage comes out we are going to haul you to task over it."
"I cannot see the reason why we bother sending any money your way."
Full marks to the Shaun Brown and Julie Eisenburg from SBS for defending the station so well in the face of questioning from this little prick.
A word to Barnaby. If you intend to fill Brian Harradine's boots then you had better do some more research before opening your mouth. Mr Brown and Ms Eisenberg are correct. SBS screened the 1962 Stanley Kubrick film, not the 1997 R18+ rated Adrian Lyne version.
Senator JOYCE—In May you had Lolita on. Lolita is rated R, if you got it from a video store. How did you manage to get that on?
Mr Brown—It was not rated R for—
Ms Eisenberg—Was that the Stanley Kubrick version?
Mr Brown—The Stanley Kubrick 1960s film
***
ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE ARTS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Special Broadcasting Service: Discussion
Commitree Name: ENVIRONMENT,
COMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE ARTS LEGISLATION
COMMITTEE
Date: 31 October, 2005
Database: Estimates Comm.
Proof: Yes
Source: Senate
Page: 89
Mr Shaun Brown Acting Managing Director
Ms Julie Eisenburg, Head of Policy
Senator Barnaby Joyce
CHAIR—We are waiting for Senator Conroy. In the meantime, perhaps I might ask you about how successful your cricket coverage this year was and what kind of audiences you received.
Mr Brown—It was very successful. It was one of those test series where the action went right to the final day.
CHAIR—It was, yes.
Mr Brown—On the final day we achieved a 21 per cent share, which is an all-time record for SBS, between six and midnight. That is a measure of that success. More than that, it introduced a lot of new viewers to SBS, which was part of our reason for securing that property.
CHAIR—Have you found that it has flowed on? Are you having a bigger audience share now post the series than you did before?
Mr Brown—Yes, we are experiencing what is called a halo effect. Our average audience up till the end of October stands at 6.3 per cent across the year. That is compared to 5.1 per cent last year. So it has had a marked effect. The underlying schedule has been performing more strongly as well.
CHAIR—What about your second channel? Can you tell us how that has been proceeding and how successful it has been?
Mr Brown—Our second channel is exclusively in languages other than English. In essence, it is a rotation of World Watch content with some updates as well. We do not track the ratings on it.
CHAIR—You do not?
Mr Brown—No. I would be surprised if it were pulling big numbers. I am sure it is not in fact. It is more of a service to a smaller group of viewers who cannot see World Watch in a timely fashion and therefore can access it at another time of the day.
CHAIR—Are you getting positive feedback on that?
Mr Brown—Yes. I think it is well received. Obviously, we wish more people had taken advantage of digital technology. But if we continue to get lift-off of that technology then I think it will be a significant service.
CHAIR—The uptake of digital is interesting. In many other parts of the world there is multichannelling and interactivity. Do you think that would assist here? You do have multichannelling yourself, of course.
Mr Brown—I think multichannelling is the key. It provides tangible additional services that create demand. I think unless one has that demand then digital is in danger of being a sort of fringe activity rather than a central one.
CHAIR—It is not so much the picture but the other things, I think, that will attract people to digital.
Mr Brown—I think it is all about content.
CHAIR—The interactivity and the multichannelling, I think.
Mr Brown—The international experience is that interactivity is yet to prove a significant driver, but it is an important part of the mix.
Senator JOYCE—Going to your interpretation of the Office of Film and Literature Classification, how do you operate within that code?
Ms Eisenberg—Under the SBS Act, the SBS board is required to develop programming policies. Those programming policies appear in our codes of practice, and the current SBS codes of practice include a reference to the OFLC principles as a guideline. But obviously in the television context and in the SBS context they are interpreted in a way that is appropriate to that context.
Senator JOYCE—Would there be anything that is specifically to be interpreted by someone watching SBS that would be interpreted differently to someone watching Channel 9 or Channel 7?
Mr Brown—Inasmuch as the content that is produced at all?
Senator JOYCE—Inasmuch as the content.
Mr Brown—Our content does operate under a different set of codes than the commercial free to airs.
Senator JOYCE—Why would that be? Are people intrinsically different who watch your television station? Is there something that personifies them as being peculiar or different?
Mr Brown—No, to the contrary, there is nothing peculiar about the SBS audience. No, I think it is the way it has been set up in legislative terms—that we are responsible for setting codes and ACMA is responsible for finally overseeing them. I believe with the commercial broadcasters it is a different approach.
Senator JOYCE—It seems, though, that there is obviously a disparity between how you see the Office of Film and Literature Classification and how Channel 9, Channel 7 and Channel 10 would?
Ms Eisenberg—It is probably easier to respond to a specific example. That would be helpful.
Senator JOYCE—In May you had Lolita on. Lolita is rated R, if you got it from a video store. How did you manage to get that on?
Mr Brown—It was not rated R for—
Ms Eisenberg—Was that the Stanley Kubrick version?
Mr Brown—The Stanley Kubrick 1960s film.
Ms Eisenberg—I think we would need to take that on notice. There was another version of it which was made a number of years later which had a different rating. R rated content is not permitted on SBS under our codes of practice.
Senator JOYCE—Do you think there is somehow more latitude in SBS? It just seems peculiar. There seems to be a range of examples of things that make it onto SBS—and, being a father of four kids, yes, I know we should put them into bed early at night—that would not make it onto other television stations.
Mr Brown—All of our codes are subject to a formal complaints procedure. From time to time we do get a complaint about classification. In the event of the outcome of that complaint not satisfying the complainant, it can be appealed to the independent authority, which was the ABA and now ACMA. I think I am right in saying that in recent years we have not had any upholds in that area.
Ms Eisenberg—The only one that I am aware of a number of years ago was an issue relating to whether a program—it was a repeat of the Movie Show—should have been rated G or PG. That was one finding where it was found that if should have been classified PG, but it was a borderline breach.
Senator JOYCE—Do you change for different states or does it all come out as a block? Do you have a different timeslot now for Queensland or is it on the same timeslot?
Mr Brown—We have a national signal, but it is shifted so that it is on the same time in each state.
Senator JOYCE—So 10 pm in New South Wales is—
Mr Brown—Would be 10 pm in Queensland.
Senator JOYCE—Without making any assertions about it—I will just read this anyway—on Queer as Folk, which is on at 10 pm:
In tonight’s episode, there is a hot new stud at Babylon and Brian immediately targets him but is amazed when the guy rejects his advances and he won’t accept the fact he’s been given the brush-off because that would mean facing his advancing gay mortality. Michael and Ben are proud of how Hunter is handling the backlash at school, but when Ben goes to school to attend Hunter’s debate, he discovers what has really been going on for Hunter. Emmett is a success at Channel 5 but Brian’s claim that he’s just another sexless fag for ratings leaves Emmett with second thoughts about his TV role. Since having plastic surgery, Ted now looks like a hot stud. His extreme makeover has given him confidence and when a lover from his past passes by, Ted takes the opportunity to pay him back.
Does that sound like the sort of thing that my children and someone else’s children should have access to?
Mr Brown—It is shown at 10 o’clock at night, which I think would be commonly regarded as an adult viewing time. It is preceded by warnings and it is officially classified MA so that it can be shown. It is a program that would be shown in other countries around the world. There is a British version of Queer as Folk.
Senator JOYCE—But is that how we rate things now—that if it is shown in other countries around the world then it is acceptable?
Mr Brown—No. I really only mention that to say that it is not exceptional as being shown here in Australia. It does beg the question of course whether or not Australia should suppress content that is shown elsewhere around the world.
Senator JOYCE—I do not care whether it is two blokes or a bloke and a girl. Either way you put it, it is a dynamic that implies explicitness, even in just how you advertise it.
Mr Brown—The explicitness will be reflected in its classification. I think if you watched it you might form a view that the classification is not inappropriate, not for 10 o’clock at night.
Senator JOYCE—Let us go to something else. Let us talk about things that might be determined by some people to be offensive. Let us go to what is on on Sunday night. This is what is said about Lost Worlds: The Real Family of Jesus:
In part one, genealogist Tony Burroughs deals with the common misconception that Jesus was the single child of a nuclear family.
That is news to me. It goes on:
Evidence from the Gospels, history and archaeology as well as the interpretations of religious experts—
I would love to meet them—
reveal that not only did Mary have other children, but that Joseph had a previous marriage that produced children. Interviews with scholars reveal that Jesus had in fact two half-brothers, James and Joseph, two half-sisters, Salome and Miriam, and two full brothers, Simon and Judas. Other family members are revealed including Jesus’ Uncle Clophas and Mary’s cousin Elisabeth, who was the mother of John the Baptist—another relation and a key spiritual figure in the development of Jesus.
Do you think there are people in the community who might find that offensive?
Mr Brown—It is possible that some people may not be prepared to have an analytical approach to their religious belief.
Senator JOYCE—It is not a matter of being analytical. Do you think people in the community would find that highly offensive?
Mr Brown—My answer stands. I think some people may find it offensive.
Senator JOYCE—I would say some people would find it highly offensive. If you put that on about the Prophet Mohammed, you would be probably end up with bomb threats, wouldn’t you? Would you do the same thing about the Prophet Mohammed?
Mr Brown—I cannot answer that. That is a documentary that we have acquired from overseas. If similar material was available dealing with other faiths, yes, we may well carry it. That is a 7.30 evening slot. I do not think there is a classification issue there. You are suggesting there is a sensitivity to religious beliefs?
Senator JOYCE—I am saying that it would be deemed to be highly insulting to some people. That is what I am saying. I am not asserting that. I am saying that it is highly insulting to a range of people and that it shows absolutely no belief by you that other people would find it highly insulting and that you have actually targeted what is the most fundamental, deepest philosophical belief of a whole range of people in our community without any tempering of it by yourself. Do you think that it is a fair thing for the public money of the taxpayers of Australia to go to that sort of program?
Mr Brown—I do not agree with your premise that that is not a legitimate area for scrutiny by a public broadcaster. I think religious beliefs are something that should be scrutinised and discussed and analysed and debated. Certainly for a multicultural broadcaster that services a number of different religious beliefs, it does not seem to me inappropriate. In this day and age where we are talking about the Da Vinci Code, the Holy Grail, the debate about the Christian faith is wide ranging. I do not think people would ordinarily be offended by the fact that it is being considered and discussed.
Senator JOYCE—But it is using what a lot of people would deem to be the closest most focal point of their lives and basically rubbishing it. What is the factual content of this? This is all new information. Would you stand by this? Do you think this is a factually precise document? You have done the research into it and it has passed your imprimatur as being a factually worthwhile thing to put on television.
Mr Brown—I would have to take that on notice. I have not seen the program. I am reliant on the description you are giving me.
Senator JOYCE—You will get to see it on Sunday night. What is put to me as a representative of the people of Queensland is that this sort of thing prompts them to ask why we bother sponsoring SBS. They give it so much latitude in so many areas, but then it always manages to go that step that just takes it from questioning to insulting.
Mr Brown—I think before one forms that judgment one should see the program.
Senator JOYCE—I am reading what it says. It is on your web site. It is a statement. It makes a statement. It deals with a ‘common misconception that Jesus was the single child of a nuclear family’. That is a statement. It does not say ‘We question’; it says it deals with the ‘common misconception that Jesus was the single child of a nuclear family’. It also states:
Evidence from the Gospels, history and archaeology as well as the interpretations of religious experts reveal ...
It does not question, it does not say it needs to be discussed or that there is an area of doubt. It says ‘reveal that not only did Mary have other children, but that Joseph’ must have been married before and have had children from that marriage. That is interesting. I have grabbed my bible— I cannot find anywhere Joseph’s previous marriage. So where did it come from? It is on your program. It is taxpayers’ money that is going to sponsor this trash.
Mr Brown—As I said, I have not seen the program. I am quite happy to take on notice the consideration of whether that particular listing that you have taken from the web accurately reflects the program.
Senator JOYCE—I want you to take it on notice that we are on notice, that we are watching and that every time this sort of garbage comes out we are going to haul you to task over it.
Mr Brown—I think, with respect, the time to call it garbage is after you have seen it.
Senator JOYCE—I do not have to. This is yours. This is off your web site. This is what it says is going to be on. It does not talk about questioning. It makes statements. It makes statements so my nine-year-old daughter, who can read quite well, can read that and has now come forward with a thing that says, ‘Dad, apparently Joseph was married before and Jesus was not part of a nuclear family and that Mary had other children.’ Who are these half brothers?
Mr Brown—I do not know, because I have not seen the program.
Senator JOYCE—Read your web site, because it is there. We have Queer as Folk on tonight, and that says what it is, and then there is this. I cannot see the reason why we bother sending any money your way. Those are my questions.
***
In June 2006, Joyce was involved in putting pressure on Channel 10 to remove BIG BROTHER: ADULTS ONLY. When the final four episodes were scrapped, a spokeswoman for Communications Minister Helen Coonan claimed:
"It is purely a decision for Channel 10. They
were obviously responding to legitimate complaints from their
audience,"
It's Big Brother Cut. Herald Sun 24.06.06
Joyce however could not help himself. Claiming it was he who pressured C10 to remove the show.
Quoted from:
Ten pulls Brother after MP scalding. The Australian 24.06.06
Barnaby Joyce said yesterday he harangued the executives over Big Brother on Thursday in a meeting arranged by Ten to argue the network's case for media reform.
"I listened to what they had to say then told them in no uncertain terms that they were doing themselves no favours arguing for reforms while Big Brother was still on the air," Senator Joyce told The Weekend Australian.
Mr Joyce said the delegation argued the adults-only version, screened at 9.40pm on Mondays, had been sanitised after complaints about last year's series.
"And I said, 'The other night you had simulated anal sex on the TV just three hours after The Simpsons'," Senator Joyce said. "Tell me how I explain that to my daughter."
Senator Joyce were last night pleased with Ten's decision to scrap the adults-only version of Big Brother.
Senator Joyce said the Ten delegation had remained largely silent during his spray on Thursday. "They just sat there sheepishly, looking around for the nearest exit," he said.
***
Now this is just great.
'The other night you had simulated anal sex on the TV just three hours after The Simpsons'," Senator Joyce said. "Tell me how I explain that to my daughter."
Judging from photos, Barnaby's four children all look rather young. Which begs the question, what would his daughter be doing watching a show called BIG BROTHER: ADULTS ONLY? How about some parental responsibility Barnaby. Just because parents like you that use the TV as a babysitter, it doesn't mean that all programs should be PG! If you send her to bed after THE SIMPSONS then maybe you wouldn't have to explain anal sex to her!