UPDATES: April 26th 2008 
Bad Language on TV: Senate Inquiry 
Religious Right in Parliament demand more censorship 
Vic, Qld, and NSW object to Adult Stores 
Eros Magazine Vol.9 No.1.

UPDATES: April 20th 2008 
GRAND THEFT AUTO IV: Australian Rating Report
BULLY: SCHOLARSHIP EDITION Rating Complaints
UNDERBELLY upsets sensitive Christians
Labor wants to ban pro-anorexia websites
IIA calls for public submissions for Internet code

UPDATES: April 13th 2008 
Rockstar confirms GTA IV is cut
BELLADONNA'S BUTTHOLE WHORES 2: Censored in Australia
Porn obsessed Steve Fielding censors Senators
Australian DVD Censorship Update 

UPDATES: April 6th 2008 
GRAND THEFT AUTO IV Censored in Australia
COMING OUT BI Censored in Australia

Australian Censorship News 
26th April 2008

Bad Language on TV: Senate Inquiry

Back in March, the South Australian Senator Cory Bernardi spoke out against the bad language used in an episode of Gordon Ramsay's KITCHEN NIGHTMARES. The result is an entirely unnecessary INQUIRY INTO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BROADCASTING CODES OF PRACTICE. More information can be found here.

David Marr has taken a look at the fifteen submissions received so far, and in the article below sums them up as:

"....three in support of the networks, two lost in outer space and 10 against"

The closing date is Friday May 2nd. You have one more week to get your opinions in and prove that the Religious Right are not the only ones who can respond to these inquiries?

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Religious Right in Parliament demand more censorship

On a related note, the ever-reliable David Marr has written this excellent piece looking at how Labor and the Liberals are going to need to keep Steven Fielding happy. It also covers the background to Cory Bernardi's complaint against Gordon Ramsay's KITCHEN NIGHTMARES. 

Carve-up in political kitchen. SMH 26.04.08

God is making a political comeback this winter. This is not another yarn about the Pope's big Mass at Randwick. We're talking Canberra here, and Labor's uncertain prospects in the Senate unless the Government wins a place in the affections of Family First's Steve Fielding.

Scholars of Christianity's strange grip on the politics of the nation know that for many years until his retirement in 2004, Tasmania's Catholic warrior Brian Harradine could make or break legislation in the Senate. Now, after a short secular pause, the mandate of heaven is about to fall on another independent Christian senator. Not a canny Cold War plotter this time but a happy clapper from Melbourne's Bible belt.

Fielding has inherited not only Harradine's mantle but his red leather ringside seat on the Senate floor. Much to the irritation of the Greens, who want to take over that quarter when the new Senate assembles in a few weeks' time, Fielding refuses to budge. It's his territory. A rogue senator has sat here nudging politics Christ's way since 1975.

The maths are simple: once the new Senate assembles in early July, Labor will need the backing of all the Greens and the independents to defeat Coalition attempts to block legislation. So keeping Fielding happy is looming as a persistent headache for Labor. Party insiders rather sheepishly say it's this that explains the Government's support for the latest in a long line of Senate inquiries that's about to start into filth on television.

Fielding isn't a fire and brimstone kind of guy but he does share the deep disquiet many Christians have about the corrupting possibilities of the screen. He wants all booze ads banned until after 9 at night; he wants compulsory filtering of the internet by service providers, and he was among the most vociferous critics of Big Brother.

"How many more warnings before action is taken?" he cried after the turkey slapping incident. "How many more sleazy incidents do we need before this show is evicted?"

The problem now is the Nine Network's failure to stop celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay from swearing on air. Fielding is not the moving force behind the Senate inquiry looking into this scandal - the credit goes to newcomer Cory Bernardi from Adelaide - but this exercise has the backing of both Government and Opposition, each hoping to to keep the Melbourne Pentecostal happy.

The Ramsay kerfuffle broke at a bad time for the networks. They believed they were on the brink of persuading the Australian Communications and Media Authority to ditch what are known as the Harradine clauses from the industry's code of practice. These 1998 bans on sex and nudity were Harradine's price for allowing legislation establishing digital television through the Senate .

The pattern of these things doesn't change. Back then the show in question was Channel 10's Sex/Life, a grab-bag of gynaecology, skits and marriage counselling watched by about a million viewers. The industry was in the midst of drafting a new code of practice. Again, there was a Senate inquiry. The community was worried about violence. Harradine was worried about sex. He won. The show was canned.

Now, a decade later, with the television codes once more in flux, campaigning conservatives have whipped up a moral uproar over a cooking show: Ramsay's straight-talking Kitchen Nightmares watched every Thursday by about 1.6 million Australians.

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Vic, Qld, and NSW object to Adult Stores

The expansion of Adult Stores across Australia has resulted in a number of recent battles with local councils. Objections have been voiced against shops opening in Victoria, NSW, and Queensland. 

No Sextastic Adult Store for Berwick

In Victoria, Casey Council has prevented an Adult Sore called Sextastic from opening in Berwick.

Sex shop barred Parkenham Cardenia Leader 02.04.08

Councillors barred the sex shop because it was too close to children's gym Funtastic Gymnastics.

Mr Gowans said he was considering appealing the decision at the state planning tribunal.

"We're not sure yet if we will appeal the decision. We'll wait and see their reasoning," Mr Gowans said.

"Our view is the proposal meets all the planning requirements. If the knockback is purely based on proximity to Funtastic Gymnastics, then we'll appeal at VCAT."

Green Light for Everything Adult Store in Manly

Meanwhile in NSW, Manley Council has lost a fight to prevent a branch of Everything Adult opening. The Land and Environment Court overturned the council's December rejection, and the store will now open.

Shop for adults not welcome Manly Daily 06.10.07

Everything Adult wants to open in Roycroft Arcade next door to a children's clothing shop and in view of the mayor's office, the library and the 145-year-old Manly Congregational Church.

Manly Mayor Peter Macdonald yesterday issued a strong message to the adult shop - it is not welcome.

``My personal view is that it is quite inappropriate for Manly. We do not need a seedy shop like that here,'' he said.

Cr Macdonald said the situation was made worse due to its close proximity to a children's shop.

``It's not wanted in Manly.''

Cr Macdonald has also vowed to make sure the application is brought before the elected council so councillors can react on behalf of the community.

Nearby business owners also told The Manly Daily they do not want a late-night adult store operating above them.

Owen McGill, who has run his shoe repair business from the arcade for 36 years, said it was not something he wanted two doors down.

``You'll get the deviants coming and we have got enough now,'' he said.

Bill Sivyer who has recently opened Property Management Services in the arcade was also worried about the sort of people Everything Adult would attract.

``One adult shop (Good Vibrations) in Manly is more than sufficient,'' he said.

``It would not be good for business in terms of security.''

Mr Sivyer said the arcade had just overcome the problem of people hanging around at night and worried this would happen again if the adult store opened.

Aris Athans, owner of the proposed Everything Adult store, refuted claims his business would attract the wrong people to the area, arguing that people from all walks of life shopped in stores like his.

``It is not a brothel,'' Mr Athans said. ``The sex industry is much more open these days.

``The everyday person comes in - your mum, your dad, labour workers, politicians and your local policeman. It is just a shop for adults to spice up their sex lives.''

A social and environmental study commissioned by Mr Athans also rejects the idea the store will pose a security risk.

Mr Athans said his store would bring more business to the area.

``If anything, it is positive,'' he said.

``You get more people coming to where the shops are - it is a domino effect for everyone.''

Concerns on youth access to adult store Manly Daily 16.04.08

Plans for Everything Adult, which wants to open in Roycroft Arcade near the Mayor's office and in view of a church, were rejected by Manly Council last December.

Yesterday the Land and Environment Court, which is considering an appeal by owner Aris Athans, heard there should be video surveillance to detect minors and barriers to section off explicit material.

Commissioner Robert Hussey said: "If the operator is out in the storeroom or stacking shelves at times when they consider it's not busy, underage people can get in there, which is undesirable."

He said during a brief site visit to nearby adult shop Good Vibrations, in The Corso, the owner very quickly entered and "denied us entry".

"That worked and would be the situation if younger people went up there," Mr Hussey said.

"This (Everything Adult) is a large area up the top. If there's only one person there is the risk of having people not authorised to go in."

Rick O'Gorman-Hughes, barrister for Mr Athans, said a buzzer could be placed near the entry to the store thereby alerting the staff member to people walking up the stairs.

Ms Colleen Schofield, solicitor for Manly Council, said there were further concerns about signage.

"The council's position is a more discreet sign in the arcade to be more appropriate ... rather than a sign on the awning in Sydney Rd," she said.

Law change as sex shop gets all-clear Manly Daily 24.04.08

DAYS after a city court allowed a second sex shop to be built in Manly, the council has beefed up its laws to stop more "seedy" adult premises from being set up.

Land and Environment Court commissioner Robert Hussey defended his decision by stating the amended plans met "conditions of consent" under Manly's planning laws.

On Monday councillors unanimously voted to strengthen its Local Environment Plan by recategorising adult stores as restricted premises.

This would require business owners to lodge a fresh development application rather than a "change of use", which has to meet less-stringent regulations. The new definition related to premises restricting access to people over the age of 18 "including sex shops and similar premises", but not hotels, motels, pubs, brothels or escort services.

New plans include obscure glazing, visibility barriers, closed-circuit video cameras and a buzzer on the stairs to monitor customers and stop minors from getting in.

Queensland changes law for Adult Stores

The plan to open an Adult Store in the North Queensland town of Proserpine has resulted in an inquiry by the State Government.

Council's hands tied over sex shop 10.04.08 Brisbane Times 

Mayor Mike Brunker said the council even considered offering to relocate the store, but found the cost prohibitive.

If residents wanted the store removed, their only option was to not use it, he said.

"This being a legal activity in a legal location, council's hands are tied," Mr Brunker said.

The council has met with both the school and the retailer to mitigate the store's impact.

The store will construct a fence so the building can't be seen from classrooms, and the school will block access from a laneway that runs alongside the store.

But Darren Foster, of the school's Parents and Friends Association, has vowed to continue fighting for the store to go.

"I'd hate to wish anybody in business to go broke, but I certainly would like to urge the owners of the business strongly to try and find another location, perhaps on the main street," Mr Foster told ABC Radio.

The sex industry's peak body says Queensland's "archaic" laws had created the problem.

Eros Association executive officer Fiona Patten said not only were adult stores unregulated in the state, but the sale of X-rated videos and DVDs was technically illegal.

Ms Patten said Queenslanders bought more adult products than any other state, but its laws were inconsistent.

"It seems quite bizarre in Queensland, where brothels have been legalised ... that it's quite legal to sell sex but not pictures of it," she told AAP.

"The industry much prefers to have a balance in the community, so that those who don't want to see an adult store in their face, they don't have to."

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning 
The Honourable Paul Lucas 
Media Statement
Thursday, April 10, 2008

State to review adult shop location issues

The State Government will review issues surrounding adult stores opening close to schools, Acting Premier Paul Lucas said today.

Mr Lucas said the State Government would consult with the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) regarding potential changes to planning and other regulations that may impact on the location of adult stores.

“We want to be sensible about this,” Mr Lucas said.

“These are legitimate businesses but I do understand that some communities are concerned that stores may open up too close to schools.

“I have asked the Department of Infrastructure & Planning to conduct a review of the regulations in conjunction with the Office of Fair Trading.

“The State Government will look at ways – whether through changing state policies or strengthening council planning schemes – to regulate how close to schools adult stores could be established.”

Mr Lucas said there were already strict regulations about what stores could sell and display. He said while any changes were unlikely to impact on existing stores one possible measure may include providing councils with standard planning scheme provisions.

“I’m advised that already under the Integrated Planning Act, councils have the power to amend their planning schemes to address legitimate issues relating to the location of stores.”

“But in any case, there are good reasons to look at this on a state-wide basis. That’s why I’ve asked my department to set up a working group with the Office of Fair Trading and the LGAQ to examine the issues. They will consult with other relevant State Government agencies and industry representatives.

“The State Government is currently reviewing the Integrated Planning Act and one measure being actively considered is the introduction of standardised planning schemes for councils across the state.

“This would not mean all councils would have the same planning schemes – just that they would work from a standard template. I have asked my department to specifically look at including provisions in the standardised planning schemes regarding distances between adult stores and places such as schools.”

Outrage as sex shop opens near Catholic school. ABC Radio 11.04.08

MATT WORDSWORTH: The growth in Queensland's adult industry has been remarkable. It's believed a new shop opens every three to four weeks.

But the Queensland Government also stands alone as the only state not to have planning laws specifically relating to adult stores. They're classified like any other business, and as such can set up virtually anywhere.

MATT WORDSWORTH: Fiona Patten from the adult industry group, the Eros Foundation, says it should be an opportunity to relax Queensland's tough restrictions on what sex shops can sell.

FIONA PATTEN: Currently, magazines that are available in New South Wales newsagents are illegal to sell in Queensland, and in fact you can go to jail for selling one.

MATT WORDSWORTH: So what about the stuff that the adult shops sell, how do they get away with that?

FIONA PATTEN: A blind eye is turned for much of the material, and frankly the Queensland police have got far better things to do with their time than raiding adult shops for selling adults adult material.

The laws are totally out of step with community attitudes and it's, you know, it's policy that goes back to Joh Bjelke-Petersen days, and it's really time that they, that Queensland came into the 21st century.

TONY EASTLEY: Fiona Patten from the Eros Foundation, speaking with Matt Wordsworth.

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Eros Magazine Vol.9 No.1.

We may not agree with their opposition to an R18+ for games, but that won't stop us giving them a mention. The latest issue of Eros Magazine, Vol.9 No.1 is out now. Subscription information, and a selection of some of the articles can be found here. 

Here is Fiona Patten from Eros on the need for Queensland to reform its laws for Adult Stores.

Sex shops - Healthy Fiona Patten 23.04.08

SO often, critics of the adult industry have far more to say about the detail of the industry than the industry itself.

It is rare to see Proserpine mentioned in the pages of major newspapers (Perspectives, April 16). But a woman opening a small adult shop around the corner, and over 100m from a school, has attracted national attention.

The residents of this small northern town are bemused and surprised at the fuss. Me? Well, I just think those who protest may be protesting just a little too much. The vast majority of Queenslanders support the legal and regulated sale of adult material. Twenty national polls since 1984 confirm this. Queensland is the only state in Australia to prohibit the sale of adult magazines and films that feature adults only and are classified by the Federal Government as non-violent erotica. These products can only be sold to adults, and in most states can be sold only from premises restricted to adults, that is, adult shops. The result of this prohibition in Queensland is a lack of laws that provide regulations for adult shops.

Consequently, the adult industry finds itself in agreement with most of its detractors in arguing for greater regulation.

The lack of regulation and recognition of our industry is highlighted by the current case of a Gold Coast adult shop operating successfully for five years, with community support, in a discreet industrial area. They have been closed down and forced to relocate to a prominent retail area. In most other states adult shops operate in industrial areas and in the ACT they are restricted to those areas.

While there is no evidence in Australia or internationally to suggest that adult retail businesses increase crime or attract criminals, the industry wants to find a realistic balance in communities of all sizes.

Both the ALP and Coalition's national censorship policies meet that balance. They state that adults should be able to read, hear and see the material of their choice in private, subject to adequate protection against persons being exposed to unsolicited material offensive to them and preventing conduct exploiting, or detrimental to the rights of others, particularly women and children. (ALP Platform 2007).

According to La Trobe University, 26 per cent (nearly a million) of Queensland adults regularly buy adult material. Per capita, Queenslanders buy more adult media than other Australians. The average buyer now is a 35-year-old couple with two children and a mortgage.

The shops that cater to them are large, well-lit, friendly and relaxed. The detractors of a regulated industry have either not been into an adult shop this century or wear guilt-coloured glasses when they make their furtive visits. The most irrational and hypocritical part of Queensland's adult industry is its laws. It is quite legal for adults to buy Debbie Does Dallas, but an adult shop employee who sells such a film to another adult faces a jail term. This is treated more seriously than showing a minor the same film.

The law sets up a dangerous and grossly unfair situation in criminalising only one side of the transaction, which penalises the seller and not the buyer. If the Queensland Government really believes that Queensland adults are not mature enough for adult material then they should ban the purchase and possession of it as well.

However the most sensible solution would be to bring Queensland's censorship laws into line with the Federal Classification Act. License adult shops as you would license any business that sells an adult product, and establish common planning grounds. Increase penalties for those who sell adult material outside a licensed venue and for those who expose children to any adult material. The licence fees will probably cover the costs of regulating the industry. Adult shops cater to people with a natural and healthy interest in their sexuality. In Queensland this is about 30 per cent of the population. This is more people than belong to the Catholic faith in Queensland and way more than belong to a political party. They need to have their entertainment rights secured under proper and modern legislation.

Fiona Patten Executive Officer of the Eros Association

Update 26th April 2008
Refused-Classification.com 

Australian Censorship News 
20th April 2008

GRAND THEFT AUTO IV: Australian Rating Report

Speculation is rife as to what Rockstar has removed from the Australian version of GRAND THEFT AUTO IV. Now thanks to Mick we can take a read of the Classification Board report where the censored version was rated MA15+. Using this, those playing the uncut version will be able to work out what is missing.

For those of you considering ordering the uncut version from New Zealand, think again. Despite having an 18 rating for games, they will be receiving the censored version. All previous versions were passed there uncut, so this is most likely a case of the small NZ market size, as opposed to any worry about it being banned.

On a related note, even the nanny state of Singapore has now introduced an 18 rating for games!

Singapore introduces video games classification system

Singapore, 14 April 2008 – Gamers in Singapore can look forward to a greater variety of video games with a new two-rating classification system that will be launched end April, the Board of Film Censors (BFC) under the Media Development Authority (MDA) announced today. In line with the new guidelines, consumer advisories will be introduced to allow consumers, especially parents, to make informed choices about the video games available in the market.

With effect from 28 April 2008, the new video games ratings are:

1. Mature 18 (M18) – For persons 18 years old and above. M18 is a restricted category and retailers will need to conduct age checks at the point of sale.

2. Age Advisory – Suitable for persons 16 years old and above. This is an advisory category to assist consumers in making informed choices. While retailers need not conduct age checks at the point of sale, they are encouraged to exercise responsibility by not selling these games to those below 16 years of age.

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BULLY: SCHOLARSHIP EDITION Rating Complaints

Back in 2006 the Rockstar game BULLY was the subject of a great deal of controversy prior to its release. Perhaps mindful of this, Rockstar retitled the game to CANIS CANEM EDIT outside of the U.S. and Canada. However, when it came to being rated by the Classification Board it was awarded an M (Moderate themes, Violence and Sexual References). The Board even went to the unusual step of issuing a press release explaining their decision. 

On its release the usual suspects spoke out against the game, though none we can guess had ever played it. The NSW Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt even vowed to ask the federal government to review the "M" classification. Nothing ever came of it, and CANIS CANEM EDIT has been freely available for the past couple of years.

In January a revised version titled, BULLY: SCHOLARSHIP EDITION was again rated M (Moderate themes, violence and sexual references). Released in March, the game has once again become an issue with Parenting Australia chief executive Jane King saying:

"It's scary, it's outrageous, it's gross,"

For a full rundown of the Australian BULLY controversy check-out the games database entry.

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UNDERBELLY upsets sensitive Christians

Once again the Australian Communications and Media Authority have caved into complaints from Christians and has this time agreed to an investigation into the M-rating that Channel Nine has been awarding UNDERBELLY. Festival of Light was also successful in October last year when the ACMA began an investigation into the MA15+ awarded to CALIFORNICATION. We are still waiting for an outcome to this, so don't expect any quick resolution to the UNDERBELLY review.

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Labor wants to ban pro-anorexia websites

Labor's Anna Burke has been calling for a ban on pro-anorexia websites for the past couple of years. Just before winning government Kevin Rudd promised that the ALP would ban such internet sites. Labor is now in power, and Anna Burke is again pushing for a ban. Interestingly, both times it has been the Liberal Party that has spoken out against a ban, and has been the voice of reason.

September 2007
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock 
 "Ultimately it remains the responsibility of parents or guardians to make decisions about appropriate entertainment material for their children''.

April 2008
Bruce Billson
"... it would be difficult to regulate and it was the parents' responsibility.

Labor to ban websites promoting eating disorders Daily Telegraph 02.09.07

KEVIN Rudd said a Labor government will ban Internet sites advocating anorexia after the Howard Government put the issue in the too-hard basket.

Opposition Health spokeswoman Nicola Roxon promised the initiative following the Government's rejection of a campaign by Labor backbencher Anna Burke to get the current laws changed.

In letters to Ms Burke, the Australian Communications Media Authority informed her that, in the authority's view, the impact of the so-called "pro-ana'' sites was regarded as "no greater than moderate''.

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock also advised Ms Burke that: "Ultimately it remains the responsibility of parents or guardians to make decisions about appropriate entertainment material for their children''.

This was despite Ms Burke pointing out that the "pro-ana'' sites - regarded by some as suicide sites - promote anorexia regimes for pregnant women and give teenage girls tips on how to disguise their bulimic vomiting from their parents.

Ms Roxon said: "Any responsible government would be looking at shutting down these sites and the ALP will look at all options''.

Ms Burke says one option would be to establish formal links with anti-anorexia lobby groups in the US

Call to ban anorexia websites 17.04.08 SMH

Anna Burke said she had been calling for ban on anorexia websites for some time.

"It's something we really need to explore," Ms Burke said. "This is dangerous information on the internet."

The Government is developing a cyber-safety policy that includes internet service provider filtering for all Australian homes, schools and public computers, but there is no indication that pro-anorexia sites would be included in the "black list" created by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Nicola Roxon, the federal Minister for Health and Ageing, said the Government would consider whether any action regarding the sites was appropriate.

But Bruce Billson, the Opposition spokesman for broadband, communications and the digital economy, said it would be difficult to regulate and it was the parents' responsibility.

"Parents should maintain an active interest in the use of the internet by members of their family," he said.

Nina Funnell, a researcher in the media and communications department at the University of Sydney, said once censorship started, it became a slippery slope. "It's also a token effort because every time one of these websites is shut down, two tend to pop up in its place."

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IIA calls for public submissions for Internet code

The Internet Industry Association has released a draft code of practice for internet content providers. You have until May 15th to make a comment.

Industry code offers safer online experiences 
Monday, 14 April 2008 

The IIA released its draft code of practice for internet content providers for public comment. The deadline for responses is 15 May 2008.

The Internet Industry Association (IIA) launched its draft code of practice for internet content providers for public comment. The deadline for responses is 15 May 2008.

“We are confident that the Draft Code achieves a sensible balance that promotes safer internet experiences for the community (particularly children), implements workable regulation and supports growth of the local industry,” IIA’s chief executive, Mr Peter Coroneos, said.

In Australia, internet industry codes must be approved, monitored and enforced by the government regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (‘ACMA’).

To have the Draft Code approved by ACMA, the IIA must now undertake a process of formal industry and community consultation.

A copy of the Draft Code is available at http://www.iia.net.au/images/content services code - public consultation.pdf .

“The Draft Code is a big step forward,” Mr Coroneos said. “It provides a way for locally-based commercial content service providers and live content service providers to ensure that potentially restricted commercial stored content services or live content provided by commercial content services now complies with Australian classification schemes.

The Draft Code provides industry with guidance

handling complaints (Part C), taking-down notified content or content services (Part D ) promoting online safety for Australian families (Part E) implementing restricted access systems for some content services (Part F); and regulating certain chat services (Part G). It also explains the Internet Industry Association’s ‘Family Friendly’ scheme. Once finalised, Content Service Providers that comply with the new Code will be eligible to join the scheme.

The Act requires a minimum 30-day public consultation period for the Draft Code. Submissions can be made by email to code_consult@iia.net.au . A two page summary is also available at http://www.iia.net.au/images/about-the-draft-iia
-code-for-content-service-providers.pdf

The IIA welcomes comments by 15 May 2008, which is the deadline for the consultation process.

Further information about content regulation is available from the ACMA website at www.acma.gov.au .

About the IIA

The Internet Industry Association (www.iia.net.au) represents the main net providers, content creators and associated services. It issues policy guidance to government and advocacy on business and regulatory issues, to promote laws and initiatives that enhance access, equity, reliability and growth of the Net within Australia.

For further comment or background, contact Peter Coroneos, Chief Executive, IIA 
Ph: 02 6232 6900 
Release Date: Tuesday 15 April 2008

Update 20th April 2008
Refused-Classification.com 

Australian Censorship News 
13th April 2008

Rockstar confirms GTA IV is cut

Last week Jason Hill's Screenplay blog broke the news that Rockstar had censored the Australian version of GRAND THEFT AUTO IV prior to submission to the Classification Board. This contradicted a Rockstar spokesman who in February told palgn.com.au that the game was complete. The confusion has now been cleared up with a statement from Rockstar that confirms the Australian release has been cut. They are playing down the censorship describing it as:

"...some minor differences between the Australian and US/EU versions"

What exactly those minor differences are will have to wait until gamers take a look, as you can be sure that Rockstar will not tell us.

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BELLADONNA'S BUTTHOLE WHORES 2: Censored in Australia

Back on March 9th BELLADONNA'S BUTTHOLE WHORES 2 was banned by the Classification Board. Since then Calvista have been busy with editing the DVD and have just been rewarded with an X18+ (Explicit Sex) rating.

Adult DVD Talk have an in-depth review of the DVD where you can read about all the scenes that were censored for an X18+ rating.

Other Belladonna titles to have been banned, and censored include: 

Indeed, it wise to assume that anything that has Belladonna's name attached to it and has an X18+ rating has probably been pre-cut before submission to the censors. Remember, just because the Classification Board label it as an 'Original Version', doesn't mean that it has not been censored before they get their hands on it. RC ratings, and re-submissions cost time and money. Can we blame the distributors for playing it safe?

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Porn obsessed Steve Fielding censors Senators

Brian Harradine's Senate successor Steve Fielding has achieved an early win with his Christian views being imposed on all other Senators. Crikey are reporting that Senators are being prevented from accessing "inappropriate" internet content at his request.

Senators caught up in the Fielding Filth Filter Crikey 11.04.08

Steve Fielding, the Senate choice of 1.88% of Victorians, is obsessed with pornography. Since he arrived in Canberra, no Estimates session has been complete without Fielding earnestly declaring that Australian families weren't safe from the flood of porn ready to roll out of their PCs. His greatest direct contribution to public policy since he was "elected" was to badger the Howard Government into wasting tens of millions of dollars on the ludicrous Netalert internet filter scheme.

Now he has managed to impose the views of his bizarre monotheistic cult on other Senators and their staff. Since 28 March, Senators have been prevented from accessing "inappropriate" internet content at the request of Senator Fielding, who has convinced Senate President Alan Ferguson to impose the same filter as that in place for bureaucrats, though not the Parliamentary Library.

Accordingly, anything related to sex, drugs, weapons or other "inappropriate content", regardless of what it actually is, is blocked.

Senator Lyn Allison has written to Ferguson demanding to know why Fielding was permitted to impose his own reactionary view of the online world on other Senators, who determines what is "inappropriate" and how Senators are supposed to do their job properly.

Allison reels off a number of topics now blocked by the Fielding Filth Filter: reproductive health; sexualisation of children; drug abuse and rehabilitation, the opium crop in Afghanistan, weapons trading – all issues of legitimate interest to those engaged in the policy process, and all now blocked as "inappropriate".

Perhaps Ferguson is concerned that Australia’s Senators are a bunch of sex-crazed, coke-snorting would-be terrorists. Of course, this only describes the Australian Greens. The only available evidence that any politician has been using the Parliament House network to look for inappropriate content comes from the culprit himself – Senator Fielding, who last year boasted of his ability to obtain porn from his Parliament House computer with two (presumably one-handed) clicks.

Strangely enough, Fielding will be one of the senators critical to the passage of the Government’s legislation after 1 July. But only a conspiracy theorist would think the Government had caved in to Fielding in the hope of attracting his support for its bills later in the year. After all, the Government itself wants to replace Netalert with an even sillier ISP-level filtering scheme to stop people from accessing "inappropriate sites". Maybe the Senate is a trial run for the entire country.

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Australian DVD Censorship Update 

Here is Rod William's from the Chopping List with his review of the latest DVD censorship news.

The uncensored director's cut of COMMANDO is now available in the Definitive Edition two-disc release. This is not mentioned on the packaging. Note that the uncut version with 5.1 audio is on disc two. Additional audio commentary accompanies the restored footage; I think that's a first. And yes, the garden shed scene is now complete! 

SAW IV, HALLOWEEN (2007), and PLANET TERROR are the longer and gorier editions on DVD. DEATH PROOF is also the extended edition, but there does not appear to be any restored violence or sleaze. TOXIC AVENGER II is also reportedly uncut at last, and LORD OF WAR is apparently the longer US unrated version. I have yet to confirm these titles. 

The local R4 CUTTING CLASS (a fun slasher movie) might be the more violent version released in the UK, compared to the unrated US disc, which I saw the other night and is shorter than the UK edition – another one that needs confirmation. The repackaged HALLOWEEN III with the awkward anamorphic transfer is still the censored version compared to the US disc. 

Update 13th April 2008
Refused-Classification.com 

Australian Censorship News 
6th April 2008

GRAND THEFT AUTO IV Censored in Australia

Following in the controversial footsteps of previous installments, and three weeks before release,  GRAND THEFT AUTO IV is being reported as being censored before submission to the Classification Board. This contradicts Rockstar's assurance back in February that the version submitted to the Classification Board was complete.

******

COMING OUT BI Censored in Australia

On February 4th Metro Interactive had the Gino Colbert's COMING OUT BI banned by the Classification Board.  Two months later, and with the help of a little censorship, the DVD has been awarded an X18+ (Explicit Sex) rating.

Synopsis: Tracy wants more. Sure she loves Mark but her secret desires are always there just behind the surface. Her confusion is soon given direction by Jamoo a bi-sexual mentor of sorts. When he guides her on the journey of sensual awakening there's no turning back. Some fantasies can smoulder only so long. COMING OUT BI will open doors open hearts open minds and change a life forever.

Update 6th April 2008
Refused-Classification.com 

Updates: March 2008