Anne Tolley

National Early Childhood Education Spokesperson

National Women's Affairs Spokesperson

13 September 2000

No rights for child pornography

There is no place for freedom of speech when children have been exploited in order to create pornographic material, National MP Anne Tolley said today.

Mrs Tolley was commenting on the Film and Literature Review Board's decision on a landmark Court of Appeal ruling that said freedom of speech applies to child pornography.

The Court directed the Film and Literature Board of Review to review its decision classifying as objectionable material containing child pornography. But the Board has stood its ground and confirmed its decision banning some material.

"We do not need our censors and courts pitted against each other when the exploitation of children is at issue. Parliament didn't want any child pornography in our community whatsoever when it passed the original law. I hope to get Parliament's support for my Bill so we can make our intention to ban child pornography explicitly clear.

"My Private Members Bill will ban child pornography in any Films, Videos or Publications in New Zealand. The Bill will protect children from exploitation," Mrs Tolley said.

The Films, Videos, and Publications Classification (Prohibition of Child Pornography) Amendment Bill will give the Censor the power to disregard the right to freedom of expression as specified in the Bill of Rights when classifying an item deemed to depict, support or promote child pornography. The Bill is currently before the Government Administration Select Committee.

"The last thing we want is any form of child pornography in New Zealand - regardless of peoples' right to freedom of expression," Mrs Tolley said.

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