MEDIA RELEASE

6 November 2008

Parliament Is But Public Isn't Protected from Porn Parade

Family First NZ says it is ironic that the Wellington Boobs on Bikes parade is banned from entering the grounds of Parliament tomorrow, yet the lawmakers have failed to protect the general public from being exposed to the offensive parade.

"The parade, featuring topless porn stars, is simply a commercial venture advertising hard core pornography and is a symbol of the failure of politicians to act to protect families and to establish laws which prevent this type of offensive stunt," says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. "The porn industry is simply giving a symbolic '2-finger wave' to the politicians in their own backyard for their inaction."

Family First welcomes the decision to ban the parade from the grounds of Parliament but says that the restriction should also apply to the city streets where families and children and others offended by the nature of the parade do not want to be confronted with it.

"On the day before the country votes for who should represent them in Parliament, the Boobs on Bikes parade will be held in our capital city as a cynical gesture and display of the ineffectiveness of our laws, and how our politicians have failed to deal with the problem and harmful effects of pornography to families, children and women and the negative stereotypes and aggressive sexual behaviour it encourages."

"Until a political party or individual MP with backbone is willing to have the Crimes Act 'toughened up' to more clearly define 'offensive behaviour', the problem will continue."

"For those who stand for decency, and who seek to protect families and children, a topless pornography parade during lunchtime in the centre of Wellington will cause widespread offence."

"This parade simply highlights the complete lack of action and concern on this issue by our politicians, and the liberal and inconsistent interpretation of the law being adopted by both the judiciary and the police," says Mr McCoskrie.

ENDS

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