• Terry Flew
• Australian Law Reform Commission

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09 June 2011On 24 March 2011, Attorney-General of Australia, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, asked the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to inquire and report on the framework for the classification of media content in Australia, based on the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (Cth) (the Classification Act) and Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Cth). In the terms of reference provided to the ALRC for the National Classification Scheme Review, it is required that the Review have regard to:

• the rapid pace of technological change in media available to, and consumed by, the Australian community;

• the needs of the community in this evolving technological environment;

• the need to improve classification information available to the community and enhance public understanding of the content that is regulated;

• the desirability of a strong content and distribution industry in Australia, and minimising the regulatory burden on industry;

• the impact of media on children and the increased exposure of children to a wider variety of media including television, music and advertising as well as films and computer games;

• the size of the industries that generate potentially classifiable content and potential for growth;

• a statutory review of Schedule 7 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and other sections relevant to the classification of content.