Media Standards

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:16): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Attorney-General a question in relation to media standards in Australia and, therefore, South Australia.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: Members would probably be aware that Free TV Australia is seeking to change the times at which certain classifications of programs can be aired and, specifically, to change the times at which the classification applies. By example, the M-rated time slots would apply from 7.30 instead of 8.30 currently; the MA-rated time slots would apply from 8.30 instead of nine currently; the PG-rated time slots would apply all day, which essentially eliminates specific children's viewing and G-rated programs, or eliminates the need for the specific classification; and there would be the entire removal of the AV classification.

If introduced, these changes would mean that there would be more violence, sex and swearing viewed throughout the day including, potentially, during children's times (or what have been traditionally children's times), and it also means that alcohol advertising would be brought forward from 8.30 to 7.30 in a number of circumstances.

Members may or may not be aware that it is already legal to use the F-word and similar language during the middle of the day, at 12 o'clock, on commercial television, and these changes, as far as I am concerned, seek to erode standards further. My question is: what is the government's position on this proposal, and will the government make a submission to the Classification Board in order to state their position?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:17): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions and will refer them to the Attorney-General in anther place and bring back a response.