Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995 (Vic)
Version No. 042
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
No. 90 of 1995
Version incorporating amendments as at
1 March 2019
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Section Page
Part 1—Preliminary
1Purpose
2Commencement
3Definitions
4Exhibition of film
5Application of Act
5AFilms consisting only of classified films
Part 2—Films
Division 1—Exhibition of films
6Exhibition of film in public place
7Display of notice about classifications
8Exhibition of RC and X 18+ films
9Exhibition of unclassified, RC, X 18+, R 18+ and MA 15+ films
10Attendance of minor at certain films—offence by parents etc.
11Attendance of minor at certain films—offence by minor
12Private exhibition of certain films in presence of a minor
13Attendance of minor at R 18+ film—offence by exhibitor
14Attendance of minor at MA 15+ film—offence by exhibitor
Division 2—Sale of films
15Unclassified, RC and X 18+ films
16Classified films
17Display of notice about classifications
18Films to bear determined markings and consumer advice
19Keeping unclassified, RC or X 18+ films with other films
20Sale or delivery of certain films to minors
Division 3—Miscellaneous
21Power to demand name, age and address
22Leaving films in certain places
23Possession or copying of film for the purpose of sale or exhibition
23APossession or copying of commercial quantity of RC or X 18+ films
24Making objectionable film
Part 3—Publications
25Sale of unclassified or RC publications
26Category 1 restricted publications
27Category 2 restricted publications
27ASale or delivery of publications contrary to conditions
27BConsumer advice for Unrestricted publications
28Misleading or deceptive markings
29Sale of restricted publications to minors
30Leaving publications in certain places
31Possession or copying of publication for the purpose of publishing
32Producing objectionable publications
33Display of certain parts of publications and advertisements
Part 4—Computer games
34Sale or demonstration of computer game
35Display of notice about classifications
36Unclassified and RC computer games
36AR 18+ computer games
37MA 15+ computer games
38Demonstration of unclassified, RC, R 18+ and MA 15+ computer games
39Private demonstration of RC and R 18+ computer games in presence of a minor
40Computer games to bear determined markings and consumer advice
41Keeping unclassified or RC computer games with other computer games
42Sale or delivery of certain computer games to minors
43Power to demand name, age and address
44Leaving computer games in certain places
45Possession or copying of computer game for the purpose of sale or demonstration
45APossession or copying of commercial quantity of RC computer games
Part 5—Advertisements
46Publishing of advertisements—approvals under Commonwealth Act
47Certain films, publications and computer games not to be advertised
48Screening of advertisements with feature films
49Liability for certain advertisements
50Sale of feature films with advertisements
51Advertisements with computer games
52Advertisement to contain determined markings and consumer advice
53Misleading or deceptive advertisements
54Advertisements for Category 2 restricted publications
55Classification symbols etc. to be published with advertisements
Part 6—On-line information services
56Definitions
57Publication or transmission of objectionable material
58Publication or transmission of certain material to minors
59Advertising of objectionable material etc.
Part 7—Call–in provisions
60Calling in submittable publications for classification
60ACalling in films for classification
61Calling in computer games for classification
62Calling in advertisements
62ACalling in a publication, film or computer game for reclassification
62BObtaining copies for review
Part 9—Enforcement
68Interpretation
69Entry, search and seizure
70Informed consent
71Search warrant
72Announcement before entry
73Details of warrant to be given to occupier
74Seizure of things not mentioned in warrant
75Forfeiture
75AForfeiture—commercial quantity etc.
Part 10—General
76Restricted publications area—construction and management
77Restricted publications area—offences
78Evidence
79Commencement of prosecution for an offence
80Proceeding against body corporate
81Employees and agents
82Costs
83Publication to prescribed person or body
84Regulations
Part 11—Repeals, consequential amendments and transitional provisions
87Transitional and saving provisions
87ATransitional provisions (1998 amendments)
87BTransitional provisions (2001 amendments)
87CDefinition (2005 amendments)
87DFilms and computer games classified before 2005 amendments
87EOffences committed before 2005 amendments
87FOther transitional provisions (2005 amendments)
87GTransitional provisions (2009 amendments)
88Transitional provision—Crimes Amendment (Sexual Offences and Other Matters) Act 2014
89Transitional provision (2015 amendments)
Schedule
═══════════════
Endnotes
1 General information
2 Table of Amendments
3 Amendments Not in Operation
4 Explanatory details
Version No. 042
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
No. 90 of 1995
Version incorporating amendments as at
1 March 2019
The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows:
Part 1—Preliminary
1Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to give effect to the Commonwealth/State/Territory scheme for the classification of publications, films and computer games set out in the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 of the Commonwealth by—
(a)providing for the enforcement of classification decisions made under that Act; and
(b)prohibiting the publishing of certain publications, films and computer games; and
(c)prohibiting certain material on on-line information services.
2Commencement
(1)Part 1 comes into operation on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.
(2)Subject to subsection (3), the remaining provisions of this Act come into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed.
(3)If a provision referred to in subsection (2) does not come into operation within the period of 12 months beginning on, and including, the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent, it comes into operation on the first day after the end of that period.
3Definitions
In this Act—
acceptable proof of age, in relation to a person, means documentary evidence that might reasonably be accepted as applying to the person and as showing that the person is an adult;
adult means a person who is 18 or older;
advertisement has the same meaning as in the Commonwealth Act;
Advertising Scheme means the scheme for the advertising of unclassified films and unclassified computer games that is determined from time to time under section 31(1) of the Commonwealth Act;
approved advertisement means an advertisement approved under section 29 of the Commonwealth Act;
approved form means a form approved under section 8A of the Commonwealth Act;
assessed, in relation to an unclassified film or an unclassified computer game, means assessed in accordance with the Advertising Scheme or under section 33 of the Commonwealth Act;
Board means the Classification Board established by the Commonwealth Act;
business day means a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday appointed under the Public Holidays Act 1993;
buy means buy or exchange or hire and includes offer to buy or exchange or hire, agree to buy, exchange or hire and cause or permit to be bought or exchanged or hired, whether by retail or wholesale;
classification certificate means a certificate issued under section 22CG or 25 of the Commonwealth Act;
classified means classified under the Commonwealth Act and includes re‑classified under that Act;
Code means the National Classification Code, set out in the Schedule to the Commonwealth Act as originally enacted, as amended in accordance with section 6 of the Commonwealth Act;
commercial quantity, in relation to publications, films or computer games, means not less than 50 copies, whether of one or more than one publication, film or computer game;
Commonwealth Act means the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 of the Commonwealth;
Commonwealth Gazette means the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette;
computer game has the same meaning as in the Commonwealth Act;
consumer advice means consumer advice determined under section 20 of the Commonwealth Act or consumer advice that, in accordance with section 22CF(5) of the Commonwealth Act, is taken to be consumer advice determined under section 20 of the Commonwealth Act;
contentious material has the same meaning as in the Commonwealth Act;
Convenor means the Convenor of the Review Board appointed under section 74 of the Commonwealth Act;
court means the Magistrates' Court;
demonstrate includes exhibit, display, screen or make available for playing;
Deputy Director means Deputy Director of the Classification Board appointed under section 48 of the Commonwealth Act;
determined markings means markings determined under section 8 of the Commonwealth Act;
Director means Director of the Classification Board appointed under section 48 of the Commonwealth Act;
exempt computer game has the same meaning as in the Commonwealth Act;
exempt film has the same meaning as in the Commonwealth Act;
exhibit, in relation to a film, means project or screen;
film has the same meaning as in the Commonwealth Act;
guardianmeans an adult who is exercising parental control over a minor;
international flight, in relation to an aircraft, means a flight that passes through the air space over the territory of more than one country and includes any part of the flight that may occur within Australia;
international voyage, in relation to a vessel, means a voyage, whether direct or indirect, between a place in Australia and a place outside Australia and includes any part of the voyage that may occur within Australia;
minor means a person who is under 18;
objectionable film means a film or an advertisement for a film, not being an approved advertisement, that—
(a)describes, depicts, expresses or otherwise deals with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in a manner that is likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult; or
* * * * *
(c)promotes, incites or instructs in matters of crime or violence; or
(d)is classified RC or X 18+ or would, if classified, be classified RC or X 18+ or has been, or would be, refused approval, as the case requires;
objectionable publication means a publication that—
(a)describes, depicts, expresses or otherwise deals with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in a manner that is likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult; or
(b)lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational or scientific value and describes, depicts, expresses or otherwise deals with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in a manner that a reasonable adult would generally regard as unsuitable for minors; or
* * * * *
(d)promotes, incites or instructs in matters of crime or violence; or
(e)is classified RC or would, if classified, be classified RC;
place includes vacant land, premises, a vehicle, a vessel and an aircraft (except a vessel on an international voyage or an aircraft on an international flight);
police officer has the same meaning as in the Victoria Police Act 2013;
public place means any place which the public is entitled to use or which is open to, or used by the public, whether on payment of money or otherwise;
publication has the same meaning as in the Commonwealth Act;
publish includes sell, offer for sale, let on hire, exhibit, display, distribute and demonstrate;
restricted publications area means any premises, or part of any premises, constructed and managed in accordance with section 76;
Review Board means the Classification Review Board established by the Commonwealth Act;
sell means sell or exchange or let on hire, and includes offer or display for sale or exchange or hire, agree to sell, exchange or hire and cause or permit to be sold or exchanged or hired, whether by retail or wholesale;
subject to a conditional cultural exemption has the same meaning as in the Commonwealth Act;
submittable publication has the same meaning as in the Commonwealth Act and includes a publication called in by the Director under section 60.
4Exhibition of film
For the purposes of this Act, a person is taken to exhibit a film in a public place if the person—
(a)arranges or conducts the exhibition of the film in the public place; or
(b)has the superintendence or management of the public place in which the film is exhibited.
5Application of Act
This Act does not apply to—
(a)exempt films or exempt computer games; or
(ab)a publication, film or computer game subject to a conditional cultural exemption; or
(b)broadcasting services to which the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 of the Commonwealth applies.
Note
A publication, film or computer game is subject to a conditional cultural exemption only in relation to the relevant demonstration, exhibition or screening—sections 6C and 6E of the Commonwealth Act.
5AFilms consisting only of classified films
Despite any other provision of this Act, a film that—
(a)is contained on one device; and
(b)consists only of 2 or more classified films—
is to be treated, for the purposes of this Act, as if each of the classified films were on a separate device.
Part 2—Films
Division 1—Exhibition of films
6Exhibition of film in public place
(1)A person must not exhibit a film in a public place unless the film—
(a)is classified; and
(b)is exhibited with the same title as that under which it is classified; and
(c)is exhibited in the form, without alteration or addition, in which it is classified.
Penalty:240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)Subsection (1) is not contravened by reason only of the exhibition of a classified film—
(a)under a title different from that under which it is classified if it is contained on one device that consists only of 2 or more classified films; or
(b)with a modification referred to in section 20A, 21(2) or 21(3) of the Commonwealth Act.
7Display of notice about classifications
A person who exhibits a film in a public place must keep a notice in the approved form about classifications for films on display in a prominent place in that public place so that the notice is clearly visible to the public.
Penalty:5 penalty units.
8Exhibition of RC and X 18+ films
A person must not exhibit in a public place a film classified RC or X 18+.
Penalty:
(a)if the film is classified X 18+—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(b)if the film is classified RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
9Exhibition of unclassified, RC, X 18+, R 18+ and MA 15+ films
A person must not exhibit any of the following so that it can be seen from a public place—
(a)an unclassified film which would, if classified, be classified RC, X 18+, R 18+ or MA 15+; or
(b)a film classified RC, X 18+, R 18+ or MA 15+.
Penalty:
(c)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, MA 15+ or R 18+—20 penalty units;
(d)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, X 18+—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(e)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
10Attendance of minor at certain films—offence by parents etc.
A person who—
(a)is a parent or guardian of a minor; and
(b)knows that a film classified RC, X 18+ or R 18+ or an unclassified film which would, if classified, be classified RC, X 18+ or R 18+ is to be exhibited in a public place—
must not permit the minor to attend the exhibition of the film.
Penalty:20 penalty units.
11Attendance of minor at certain films—offence by minor
A minor who is 10 or older must not attend the exhibition in a public place of a film classified RC, X 18+ or R 18+, knowing that the film is so classified.
Penalty:5 penalty units.
12Private exhibition of certain films in presence of a minor
(1)A person must not exhibit in a place, other than a public place, in the presence of a minor a film classified RC, X 18+ or R 18+ or an unclassified film which would, if classified, be classified RC, X 18+ or R 18+.
Penalty:
(a)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, R 18+—20 penalty units;
(b)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, X 18+—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(c)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that—
(a)the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the minor was an adult; or
(b)the parent or guardian of the minor consented to the minor being present at the exhibition of the film.
13Attendance of minor at R 18+ film—offence by exhibitor
(1)A person must not exhibit in a public place a film classified R 18+ if a minor is present during any part of the exhibition.
Penalty:20 penalty units.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that—
(a)the minor produced to the accused or the employee or agent of the accused acceptable proof of age before the minor was admitted to the public place; or
(b)the accused or the employee or agent of the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the minor was an adult.
14Attendance of minor at MA 15+ film—offence by exhibitor
(1)A person must not exhibit in a public place a film classified MA 15+ if—
(a)a minor under 15 is present during any part of the exhibition; and
(b)the minor is not accompanied by his or her parent or guardian.
Penalty:10 penalty units.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1)—
(a)a minor does not cease to be accompanied if his or her parent or guardian is temporarily absent from the exhibition of the film; and
(b)an offence is committed in respect of each unaccompanied minor present at the exhibition of the film.
(3)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that—
(a)the accused or the employee or agent of the accused took all reasonable steps to ensure that a minor was not present in contravention of subsection (1); or
(b)the accused or the employee or agent of the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the minor was 15 or older; or
(c)the accused or the employee or agent of the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the person accompanying the minor was the minor's parent or guardian.
Division 2—Sale of films
15Unclassified, RC and X 18+ films
(1)A person must not sell an unclassified film or a film classified RC or X 18+.
Penalty:
(a)if the film is subsequently classified G, PG or M—5 penalty units;
(b)if the film is subsequently classified MA 15+ or R 18+—10 penalty units;
(c)if the film is classified or is subsequently classified X 18+—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(d)if the film is classified or is subsequently classified RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)A person must not sell a commercial quantity of—
(a)films classified X 18+; or
(b)unclassified films which would, if classified, be classified X 18+; or
(c)films that are a mixture of films referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).
Penalty:240 penalty units.
(3)A person must not sell a commercial quantity of—
(a)films classified RC; or
(b)unclassified films which would, if classified, be classified RC; or
(c)films that are a mixture of films referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).
Penalty:1200 penalty units or imprisonment for 10 years.
(4)An offence against subsection (3) is an indictable offence.
16Classified films
(1)A person must not sell a classified film unless the film is sold—
(a)under the same title as that under which it is classified; and
(b)in the form, without alteration or addition, in which it is classified.
Penalty:240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)Subsection (1) is not contravened by reason only of the sale of a classified film—
(a)under a title different from that under which it is classified if it is contained on one device that consists only of 2 or more classified films; or
(b)with a modification referred to in section 20A, 21(2) or 21(3) of the Commonwealth Act.
17Display of notice about classifications
A person who sells films on any premises must keep a notice in the approved form about classifications for films on display in a prominent place on the premises so that the notice is clearly visible to the public.
Penalty:5 penalty units.
18Films to bear determined markings and consumer advice
(1)A person must not sell a film unless the determined markings relevant to the classification of the film and relevant consumer advice, if any, are displayed on the container, wrapping or casing of the film.
Penalty:in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
(2)A person must not sell an unclassified film if the container, wrapping or casing in which the film is sold bears a marking that indicates or suggests that the film has been classified.
Penalty:in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
(3)A person must not sell a classified film if the container, wrapping or casing in which the film is sold bears a marking that indicates or suggests that the film is unclassified or has a different classification.
Penalty:in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
(4)If—
(a)a film is reclassified under section 39 or 97A of the Commonwealth Act; or
(b)the Board revokes a classification or consumer advice for a film under section 22B(3) of that Act; or—
(c)the Board revokes a classification for a film under section 22CH(1) of that Act and classifies it under section 22CH(4) of that Act—
display of the determined markings and consumer advice applicable to the film before that reclassification or revocation is sufficient compliance with this section for a period of 14 days after the decision to reclassify or revoke takes effect.
19Keeping unclassified, RC or X 18+ films with other films
(1)If a person keeps or possesses an unclassified film or a film classified RC or X 18+ on any premises where classified films are sold, the person and the occupier of the premises are each guilty of an offence punishable on conviction by—
(a)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, X 18+—a fine not exceeding 60 penalty units or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months;
(b)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—a fine not exceeding 240 penalty units or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that the accused did not know, and could not reasonably have known, that the film was on the premises.
20Sale or delivery of certain films to minors
(1)A person must not sell or deliver to a minor a film classified RC or X 18+ or an unclassified film which would, if classified, be classified RC or X 18+.
Penalty:
(a)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, X 18+—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(b)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)A person must not sell or deliver to a minor a film classified R 18+, unless the person is a parent or guardian of the minor.
Penalty:30 penalty units.
(3)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (2) to prove that—
(a)the minor produced to the accused or the employee or agent of the accused acceptable proof of age before the accused sold or delivered the film to the minor and the accused or the employee or agent of the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the minor was an adult; or
(b)in the case of delivery of a film classified R 18+, the minor was employed by the accused or the employer of the accused and the delivery took place in the course of that employment.
(4)A minor who is 15 or older must not buy a film classified RC, X 18+ or R 18+ knowing that it is so classified.
Penalty:5 penalty units.
(5)A person must not sell or deliver to a minor under 15 a film classified MA 15+, unless the person is a parent or guardian of the minor.
Penalty:10 penalty units.
(6)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (5) to prove that the accused or the employee or agent of the accused believed on reasonable grounds that—
(a)the minor was 15 or older; or
(b)the parent or guardian of the minor had consented to the sale or delivery.
Division 3—Miscellaneous
21Power to demand name, age and address
(1)A police officer who has reasonable cause to suspect that a person to whom a film is being or is about to be exhibited, sold or delivered has contravened or is about to contravene a provision of this Part may demand the person's name, age and address.
(2)A police officer who makes a request under subsection (1) must inform the person of the grounds for his or her suspicion in sufficient detail to allow the person to understand the nature of the contravention.
(3)Subject to subsection (8), a person must not give false particulars or fail or refuse to give satisfactory particulars demanded under subsection (1).
Penalty:5 penalty units.
(4)A person who is requested by a police officer under subsection (1) to state his or her name, age and address may request the police officer to state, orally or in writing, his or her name, rank and place of duty.
(5)A police officer must not, in response to a request under subsection (4)—
(a)refuse or fail to comply with the request; or
(b)state a name or rank that is false in a material particular; or
(c)state as his or her place of duty an address other than the name of the police station which is the police officer's ordinary place of duty; or
(d)refuse to comply with the request in writing if requested to do so.
Penalty:5 penalty units.
(6)If a police officer has reasonable grounds to believe that any of the particulars given by a person under subsection (1) are false, the police officer may require the person to produce within a reasonable time evidence of the correctness of the particulars given by the person.
(7)A person must not fail or refuse to produce satisfactory evidence of the correctness of particulars required under subsection (6).
Penalty:1 penalty unit.
(8)If—
(a)a film is about to be exhibited in a public place in contravention of this Part; and
(b)a demand under subsection (1) is made to a person attending the exhibition; and
(c)the person immediately leaves the public place after the demand is made—
the person is not guilty of an offence against subsection (3).
22Leaving films in certain places
(1)A person must not leave in a public place or, without the occupier's permission, on private premises—
(a)a film classified RC, X 18+, R 18+ or MA 15+; or
(b)an unclassified film which would, if classified, be classified RC, X 18+, R 18+ or MA 15+.
Penalty:
(c)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, R 18+ or MA 15+—10 penalty units;
(d)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, X 18+—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(e)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the film was not, or would not be, so classified.
23Possession or copying of film for the purpose of sale or exhibition
(1)A person who possesses—
(a)a film classified RC or X 18+; or
(b)an unclassified film which would, if classified, be classified RC, X 18+, R 18+ or MA 15+—
with the intention of selling or exhibiting the film is guilty of an offence.
(2)A person who copies—
(a)a film classified RC or X 18+; or
(b)an unclassified film which would, if classified, be classified RC, X 18+, R 18+ or MA 15+—
with the intention of selling or exhibiting the film or the copy is guilty of an offence.
(3)In proceedings for an offence against this section, evidence that a person made 10 or more copies of an unclassified film is evidence that the person intended to sell or exhibit the film and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is proof of that fact.
(4)A person who is guilty of an offence against this section is liable on conviction to—
(a)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, R 18+ or MA 15+—a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units;
(b)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, X 18+—a fine not exceeding 60 penalty units or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months;
(c)if the film is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—a fine not exceeding 240 penalty units or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years.
23APossession or copying of commercial quantity of RC or X 18+ films
(1)A person who possesses a commercial quantity of—
(a)films classified RC; or
(b)unclassified films which would, if classified, be classified RC; or
(c)films that are a mixture of films referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b)—
with the intention of selling or exhibiting the films is guilty of an indictable offence.
(2)A person who copies a commercial quantity of—
(a)films classified RC; or
(b)unclassified films which would, if classified, be classified RC; or
(c)films that are a mixture of films referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b)—
with the intention of selling or exhibiting the films or the copies is guilty of an indictable offence.
(3)A person who is guilty of an offence against subsection (1) or (2) is liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or to a fine not exceeding 1200 penalty units.
(4)A person who possesses a commercial quantity of—
(a)films classified X 18+; or
(b)unclassified films which would, if classified, be classified X 18+; or
(c)films that are a mixture of films referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b)—
with the intention of selling or exhibiting the films is guilty of an offence.
(5)A person who copies a commercial quantity of—
(a)films classified X 18+; or
(b)unclassified films which would, if classified, be classified X 18+; or
(c)films that are a mixture of films referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b)—
with the intention of selling or exhibiting the films or the copies is guilty of an offence.
(6)A person who is guilty of an offence against subsection (4) or (5) is liable to a fine not exceeding 240 penalty units.
(7)In proceedings for an offence against a provision of this section, evidence that a person made 50 or more copies of an unclassified film is evidence that the person intended to sell or exhibit the films and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is proof of that fact.
24Making objectionable film
(1)A person must not, for the purpose of gain, make or produce an objectionable film.
Penalty:240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)A prosecution for an offence against this section may be brought at any time.
Part 3—Publications
25Sale of unclassified or RC publications
(1)A person must not sell or deliver (other than for the purpose of classification or law enforcement)—
(a)a submittable publication; or
(b)a publication classified RC.
Penalty:
(c)if the publication is subsequently classified Category 1 restricted or Category 2 restricted—60 penalty units;
(d)if the publication is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1)(a) to prove that since the offence was alleged to have been committed the publication has been classified Unrestricted.
(3)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the publication was not a submittable publication or a publication classified RC, as the case may be.
(4)A person must not sell a commercial quantity of—
(a)publications classified RC; or
(b)unclassified publications which would, if classified, be classified RC; or
(c)publications that are a mixture of publications referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).
Penalty:1200 penalty units or imprisonment for 10 years.
(5)An offence against subsection (4) is an indictable offence.
26Category 1 restricted publications
(1)Subject to subsection (2), a person must not sell or deliver a publication classified Category 1 restricted unless—
(a)it is contained in a sealed package made of plain, opaque material; and
(b)both the publication and the package bear the determined markings.
Penalty:60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.
(1A)For the purposes of subsection (1), plain does not include the title of the publication.
(2)Subject to any condition imposed by the Board under section 13A(2) of the Commonwealth Act, if the sale or delivery takes place in a restricted publications area, the package need not be sealed but on delivery must be contained in an opaque wrapper.
(3)If—
(a)a publication is reclassified under section 39 or 97A of the Commonwealth Act; or
(b)the Board revokes a classification for a publication under section 22B(3) of that Act; or
(c)the Board revokes a classification for a publication under section 22CH(1) of that Act and classifies it under section 22CH(4) of that Act—
it is sufficient compliance with subsection (1) for a period of 14 days after the decision to reclassify or revoke takes effect if the publication bears the determined markings applicable to the publication before that reclassification or revocation.
27Category 2 restricted publications
(1)A publication that is classified Category 2 restricted must not be—
(a)displayed except in a restricted publications area; or
(b)delivered to a person who has not made a direct request for the publication; or
(c)delivered to a person unless it is contained in a package made of opaque material; or
(d)published unless it bears the determined markings.
(2)A person must not sell, deliver or publish a publication classified Category 2 restricted that does not comply with this section.
Penalty:60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.
(3)If—
(a)a publication is reclassified under section 39 or 97A of the Commonwealth Act; or
(b)the Board revokes a classification for a publication under section 22B(3) of that Act; or
(c)the Board revokes a classification for a publication under section 22CH(1) of that Act and classifies it under section 22CH(4) of that Act—
it is sufficient compliance with subsection (1)(d) for a period of 14 days after the decision to reclassify or revoke takes effect if the publication bears the determined markings applicable to the publication before that reclassification or revocation.
27ASale or delivery of publications contrary to conditions
If a publication is classified Unrestricted or Category 1 restricted subject to a condition imposed under section 13A of the Commonwealth Act, a person must not sell or deliver the publication except in accordance with that condition.
Penalty:60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.
27BConsumer advice for Unrestricted publications
A person must not sell a publication classified Unrestricted in respect of which the Board has determined consumer advice under section 20(2) of the Commonwealth Act unless the consumer advice is displayed on the publication or the packaging of the publication.
Penalty:60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.
28Misleading or deceptive markings
(1)A person must not publish an unclassified publication with a marking, or in packaging with a marking, that indicates or suggests that the publication has been classified.
Penalty:60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.
(2)A person must not publish a classified publication with a marking, or in packaging with a marking, that indicates or suggests that the publication is unclassified or has a different classification.
Penalty:60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.
(3)If—
(a)a publication is reclassified under section 39 or 97A of the Commonwealth Act; or
(b)the Board revokes a classification for a publication under section 22B(3) of that Act; or
(c)the Board revokes a classification for a publication under section 22CH(1) of that Act and classifies it under section 22CH(4) of that Act—
it is sufficient compliance with this section for a period of 14 days after the decision to reclassify or revoke takes effect if the publication bears the determined markings applicable to the publication before that reclassification or revocation.
29Sale of restricted publications to minors
(1)A person must not sell or deliver to a minor a publication classified Category 1 restricted or Category 2 restricted, unless the person is a parent or guardian of the minor.
Penalty:60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that the minor produced to the accused acceptable proof of age before the accused sold or delivered the publication to the minor and the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the minor was an adult.
30Leaving publications in certain places
(1)A person must not leave in a public place or display in such a manner as to be visible to persons in a public place—
(a)a submittable publication; or
(b)a publication classified Category 1 restricted, Category 2 restricted or RC.
Penalty:
(c)if the publication is classified, or is subsequently classified, Category 1 restricted or Category 2 restricted—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(d)if the publication is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that—
(a)since the offence was alleged to have been committed, the publication has been classified Unrestricted; or
(b)the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the publication was not a submittable publication or a publication classified Category 1 restricted, Category 2 restricted or RC, as the case may be; or
(c)in the case of a publication classified Category 1 restricted, the public place was a shop or stall and the publication and packaging complied with section 26; or
(d)in the case of a publication classified Category 2 restricted, the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the public place was a restricted publications area.
(3)A person must not leave on private premises, without the occupier's permission—
(a)a submittable publication; or
(b)a publication classified Category 1 restricted, Category 2 restricted or RC.
Penalty:
(c)if the publication is classified, or is subsequently classified, Category 1 restricted or Category 2 restricted—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(d)if the publication is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(4)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (3)(a) to prove that since the offence was alleged to have been committed, the publication has been classified Unrestricted.
(5)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (3) to prove that the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the publication was not a submittable publication or a publication classified Category 1 restricted, Category 2 restricted or RC, as the case may be.
31Possession or copying of publication for the purpose of publishing
(1)A person must not possess or copy—
(a)a submittable publication; or
(b)a publication classified RC—
with the intention of selling the publication or the copy.
Penalty:
(c)if the publication is subsequently classified Category 1 restricted or Category 2 restricted—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(d)if the publication is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that since the offence was alleged to have been committed the publication has been classified Unrestricted.
(3)A person must not possess or copy a commercial quantity of—
(a)publications classified RC; or
(b)unclassified publications which would, if classified, be classified RC; or
(c)publications that are a mixture of publications referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b)—
with the intention of selling the publications or the copies.
Penalty:1200 penalty units or imprisonment for 10 years.
(4)An offence against subsection (3) is an indictable offence.
32Producing objectionable publications
(1)A person must not print or otherwise make or produce an objectionable publication for the purpose of publishing it.
Penalty:240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)A prosecution for an offence against this section may be brought at any time.
33Display of certain parts of publications and advertisements
(1)A person must not exhibit or display for sale in a public place to which minors have access any publication or advertisement for a publication if any part of that publication or advertisement depicts or deals with nudity, sex, drug misuse, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting phenomena in a manner that a reasonable adult would consider unsuitable for general public display unless—
(a)that part of the publication or advertisement is concealed by a cover; or
(b)the publication or advertisement is displayed in a rack that conceals that part; or
(c)for some other reason that part of the publication or advertisement cannot be seen without being handled.
Penalty:10 penalty units.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that the accused or the employee or agent of the accused took reasonable precautions to ensure that the publication or advertisement was not exhibited or displayed in contravention of subsection (1).
Part 4—Computer games
34Sale or demonstration of computer game
(1)A person must not sell a computer game or demonstrate a computer game in a public place unless the computer game—
(a)is classified; and
(b)is sold or demonstrated with the same title as that under which it is classified; and
(c)is sold or demonstrated in the form, without alteration or addition, in which it is classified.
Penalty:240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)Subsection (1) is not contravened by reason only of the sale or demonstration of a classified computer game with a modification referred to in section 20A, 21(2) or 21(3) of the Commonwealth Act.
35Display of notice about classifications
A person who sells or demonstrates a computer game in a public place must keep a notice in the approved form about classifications for computer games on display in a prominent place in that public place so that the notice is clearly visible to the public.
Penalty:5 penalty units.
36Unclassified and RC computer games
(1)A person must not—
(a)sell; or
(b)demonstrate in a public place—
a computer game classified RC or an unclassified computer game which would, if classified, be classified RC.
Penalty:240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)A minor who is 10 or older must not buy a computer game classified RC, knowing that it is so classified.
Penalty:5 penalty units.
(3)A person must not sell a commercial quantity of—
(a)computer games classified RC; or
(b)unclassified computer games which would, if classified, be classified RC; or
(c)computer games that are a mixture of computer games referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).
Penalty:1200 penalty units or imprisonment for 10 years.
(4)An offence against subsection (3) is an indictable offence.
36AR 18+ computer games
A person must not demonstrate a computer game classified R 18+ in a public place unless—
(a)the determined markings are exhibited before the computer game can be played; and
(b)entry to the place is restricted to adults.
Penalty:10 penalty units.
37MA 15+ computer games
A person must not demonstrate a computer game classified MA 15+ in a public place unless—
(a)the determined markings are exhibited before the computer game can be played; and
(b)entry to the place is restricted to adults or minors who are in the care of a parent or guardian while in the public place.
Penalty:5 penalty units.
38Demonstration of unclassified, RC, R 18+ and MA 15+ computer games
A person must not demonstrate any of the following so that it can be seen from a public place—
(a)an unclassified computer game which would, if classified, be classified RC, R 18+ or MA 15+; or
(b)a computer game classified RC, R 18+ or MA 15+.
Penalty:
(c)if the computer game is classified, or is subsequently classified, MA 15+—20 penalty units;
(ca)if the computer game is classified, or is subsequently classified, R 18+—40 penalty units;
(d)if the computer game is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
39Private demonstration of RC and R 18+ computer games in presence of a minor
(1)A person must not demonstrate in a place, other than a public place, in the presence of a minor a computer game classified RC or R 18+ or an unclassified computer game which would, if classified, be classified RC or R 18+.
Penalty:
(a)if the computer game is classified, or is subsequently classified, R 18+—40 penalty units;
(b)if the computer game is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that—
(a)the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the minor was an adult; or
(b)the parent or guardian of the minor consented to the minor being present at the demonstration of the computer game.
40Computer games to bear determined markings and consumer advice
(1)A person must not sell a computer game unless the determined markings relevant to the classification of the computer game and relevant consumer advice, if any, are displayed on the container, wrapping or casing of the computer game.
Penalty:in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
(2)A person must not sell an unclassified computer game if the container, wrapping or casing in which the computer game is sold bears a marking that indicates or suggests that the computer game has been classified.
Penalty:in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
(3)A person must not sell a classified computer game if the container, wrapping or casing in which the computer game is sold bears a marking that indicates or suggests that the computer game is unclassified or has a different classification.
Penalty:in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
(3A)A person must not make a computer game available for playing on a pay and play basis (for example, a coin operated arcade game) unless the determined markings relevant to the classification of the computer game and relevant consumer advice, if any, are displayed on the device used for playing the game.
Penalty:in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
(3B)If two or more computer games are available for playing on a device referred to in subsection (3A), the determined markings and consumer advice to be displayed on the device are those relevant to the computer game with the highest classification under the Commonwealth Act.
(4)If—
(a)a computer game is reclassified under section 39 of the Commonwealth Act; or
(b)the Board revokes a classification or consumer advice for a computer game under section 22B(3) of that Act; or
(c)the Board revokes a classification for a computer game under section 22CH(1) of that Act and classifies it under section 22CH(4) of that Act—
display of the determined markings and consumer advice applicable to the computer game before that reclassification or revocation is sufficient compliance with this section for a period of 14 days after the decision to reclassify or revoke takes effect.
41Keeping unclassified or RC computer games with other computer games
(1)If a person keeps or possesses an unclassified computer game or a computer game classified RC on any premises where classified computer games are sold or demonstrated, the person and the occupier of the premises are each guilty of an offence punishable on conviction by—
(a)if the computer game is subsequently classified MA 15+—a fine not exceeding 60 penalty units or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months;
(ab)if the computer game is subsequently classified R 18+—a fine not exceeding 120 penalty units or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year;
(b)if the computer game is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—a fine not exceeding 240 penalty units or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years;
(c)in any other case—30 penalty units.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that the accused did not know, and could not reasonably have known, that the computer game was on the premises.
42Sale or delivery of certain computer games to minors
(1)A person must not sell or deliver to a minor a computer game classified RC or an unclassified computer game which would, if classified, be classified RC.
Penalty:240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(1A)A person must not sell or deliver to a minor a computer game classified R 18+, or an unclassified computer game which would, if classified, be classified R 18+, unless the person is a parent or guardian of the minor.
Penalty:60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.
(2)A person must not sell or deliver to a minor who is under 15 a computer game classified MA 15+, unless the person is a parent or guardian of the minor.
Penalty:30 penalty units.
(2A)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1A) to prove that—
(a)the minor produced to the accused or the employee or agent of the accused acceptable proof of age before the accused sold or delivered the computer game to the minor and the accused or employee or agent of the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the minor was an adult; or
(b)in the case of delivery of a computer game classified R 18+, the minor was employed by the accused or the employer of the accused and the delivery took place in the course of that employment.
(3)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (2) to prove that the accused or the employee or agent of the accused believed on reasonable grounds that—
(a)the minor was 15 or older; or
(b)the parent or guardian of the minor had consented to the sale or delivery.
43Power to demand name, age and address
(1)A police officer who has reasonable cause to suspect that a person to whom a computer game is being or is about to be demonstrated, sold or delivered has contravened or is about to contravene a provision of this Part may demand the person's name, age and address.
(2)A police officer who makes a request under subsection (1) must inform the person of the grounds for his or her suspicion in sufficient detail to allow the person to understand the nature of the contravention.
(3)Subject to subsection (8), a person must not give false particulars or fail or refuse to give satisfactory particulars demanded under subsection (1).
Penalty:5 penalty units.
(4)A person who is requested by a police officer under subsection (1) to state his or her name, age and address may request the police officer to state, orally or in writing, his or her name, rank and place of duty.
(5)A police officer must not, in response to a request under subsection (4)—
(a)refuse or fail to comply with the request; or
(b)state a name or rank that is false in a material particular; or
(c)state as his or her place of duty an address other than the name of the police station which is the police officer's ordinary place of duty; or
(d)refuse to comply with the request in writing if requested to do so.
Penalty:5 penalty units.
(6)If a police officer has reasonable grounds to believe that any of the particulars given by a person under subsection (1) are false, the police officer may require the person to produce within a reasonable time evidence of the correctness of the particulars given by the person.
(7)A person must not fail or refuse to produce satisfactory evidence of the correctness of particulars required under subsection (6).
Penalty:1 penalty unit.
(8)If—
(a)a computer game is about to be demonstrated in a public place in contravention of this Part; and
(b)a demand under subsection (1) is made to a person attending the demonstration; and
(c)the person immediately leaves the public place after the demand is made—
the person is not guilty of an offence against subsection (3).
44Leaving computer games in certain places
(1)A person must not leave in a public place or, without the occupier's permission, on private premises—
(a)a computer game classified RC, R 18+ or MA 15+; or
(b)an unclassified computer game which would, if classified, be classified RC, R 18+ or MA 15+.
Penalty:
(c)if the computer game is classified, or is subsequently classified, MA 15+—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(ca)if the computer game is classified, or is subsequently classified, R 18+—120 penalty units or imprisonment for 1 year;
(d)if the computer game is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the computer game was not, or would not be, so classified.
45Possession or copying of computer game for the purpose of sale or demonstration
(1)A person must not possess—
(a)a computer game classified RC; or
(b)an unclassified computer game—
with the intention of selling or demonstrating the computer game.
Penalty:
(c)if the computer game is subsequently classified MA 15+—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(ca)if the computer game is subsequently classified R 18+—120 penalty units or imprisonment for 1 year;
(d)if the computer game is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years;
(e)in any other case—30 penalty units.
(2)A person must not copy—
(a)a computer game classified RC; or
(b)an unclassified computer game—
with the intention of selling or demonstrating the computer game or the copy.
Penalty:
(c)if the computer game is subsequently classified MA 15+—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(ca)if the computer game is subsequently classified R 18+—120 penalty units or imprisonment for 1 year;
(d)if the computer game is classified, or is subsequently classified, RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years;
(e)in any other case—30 penalty units.
(3)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) or (2) to prove that since the offence was alleged to have been committed the computer game has been classified M, PG or G.
(4)In proceedings for an offence against this section, evidence that a person made 10 or more copies of an unclassified computer game is evidence that the person intended to sell or demonstrate the computer game and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is proof of that fact.
45APossession or copying of commercial quantity of RC computer games
(1)A person must not possess a commercial quantity of—
(a)computer games classified RC; or
(b)unclassified computer games which would, if classified, be classified RC; or
(c)computer games that are a mixture of computer games referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b)—
with the intention of selling or demonstrating the computer games.
Penalty:1200 penalty units or imprisonment for 10 years.
(2)A person must not copy a commercial quantity of—
(a)computer games classified RC; or
(b)unclassified computer games which would, if classified, be classified RC; or
(c)computer games that are a mixture of computer games referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b)—
with the intention of selling or demonstrating the computer games or the copies.
Penalty:1200 penalty units or imprisonment for 10 years.
(3)An offence against subsection (1) or (2) is an indictable offence.
(4)In proceedings for an offence against a provision of this section, evidence that a person made 50 or more copies of an unclassified computer game is evidence that the person intended to sell or demonstrate the computer games and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is proof of that fact.
Part 5—Advertisements
46Publishing of advertisements—approvals under Commonwealth Act
A person must not publish an advertisement for a film or publication or computer game—
(a)if the advertisement has not been submitted for approval under section 29 of the Commonwealth Act and, if submitted, would be refused approval; or
(b)if the advertisement has been refused approval under section 29 of the Commonwealth Act; or
(ba)if the advertisement was approved under section 29 of the Commonwealth Act and the approval is revoked under section 13(5) or 21A of that Act; or
(c)if the advertisement is approved under section 29 of the Commonwealth Act, in an altered form to the form in which it is approved; or
(d)if the advertisement is approved under section 29 of the Commonwealth Act subject to conditions, except in accordance with those conditions.
Penalty:50 penalty units.
47Certain films, publications and computer games not to be advertised
(1)A person must not publish an advertisement for—
(a)an unclassified film or an unclassified computer game otherwise than in accordance with the conditions on which unclassified films and unclassified computer games may be advertised that are set out in the Advertising Scheme; or
(b)a film classified RC or X 18+; or
(c)a submittable publication; or
(d)a publication classified RC; or
* * * * *
(f)a computer game classified RC.
Penalty:50 penalty units.
(2)For the purposes of this section, if—
(a)a person publishes an advertisement for an unclassified film or an unclassified computer game at the request of another person; and
(b)the person who publishes the advertisement notifies a police officer of the identity of the other person—
that other person alone must be taken to have published it.
48Screening of advertisements with feature films
A person must not screen in a public place an advertisement for a film or for a computer game during a program for the exhibition of another film (the feature film) unless the feature film has a classification specified in column 1 of an item in the Table to this section and the advertised film or computer game—
(a)has a classification specified opposite it in column 2 or 3 of that item; or
(b)if unclassified, has been assessed as being likely to be classified at a classification specified opposite it in column 2 or 3 of that item.
TABLE
Item
Column 1
Feature film
Column 2
Advertised filmColumn 3
Advertised computer game1
G
G
G
2
PG
PG or G
PG or G
3
M
M, PG or G
M, PG or G
4
MA 15+
MA 15+, M, PG or G
MA 15+, M, PG or G
5
R 18+
R 18+, MA 15+, M, PG or G
R 18+, MA 15+, M, PG or G
Penalty:in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
49Liability for certain advertisements
(1)A person must not screen in a public place, or so that it can be seen from a public place, an advertisement for—
(a)a film classified RC, X 18+, R 18+ or MA 15+; or
(b)a computer game classified RC, R 18+ or MA 15+; or
(c)an unclassified film that has been assessed as being likely to be classified RC, X 18+, R 18+ or MA 15+; or
(d)an unclassified computer game that has been assessed as being likely to be classified RC, R 18+ or MA 15+.
Penalty:in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
(2)Subsection (1) is not contravened by reason only of—
(a)the screening of an advertisement for a film or computer game that is classified, or has been assessed as being likely to be classified, MA 15+ during a program for the exhibition of a film classified R 18+ or MA 15+; or
(b)the screening of an advertisement for a film or computer game that is classified, or has been assessed as being likely to be classified, R 18+ during a program for the exhibition of a film classified R 18+; or
(c)the screening in a restricted publications area of an advertisement for—
(i)a film that is classified, or has been assessed as being likely to be classified, R 18+ or MA 15+; or
(ii)a computer game that is classified, or has been assessed as being likely to be classified, R 18+ or MA 15+.
50Sale of feature films with advertisements
A person must not sell a film (the feature film) that is accompanied by an advertisement for another film or for a computer game unless the feature film has a classification specified in column 1 of an item in the Table to this section and the advertised film or computer game—
(a)has a classification specified opposite it in column 2 or 3 of that item; or
(b)if unclassified, has been assessed as being likely to be classified at a classification specified opposite it in column 2 or 3 of that item.
TABLE
Item
Column 1
Feature film
Column 2
Advertised filmColumn 3
Advertised computer game1
G
G
G
2
PG
PG or G
PG or G
3
M
M, PG or G
M, PG or G
4
MA 15+
MA 15+, M, PG or G
MA 15+, M, PG or G
5
R 18+
R 18+, MA 15+, M, PG or G
R 18+, MA 15+, M, PG or G
Penalty:in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
51Advertisements with computer games
A person must not sell a computer game (the main game) that is accompanied by an advertisement for another computer game or for a film unless the main game has a classification specified in column 1 of an item in the Table to this section and the advertised computer game or film—
(a)has a classification specified opposite it in column 2 or 3 of that item; or
(b)if unclassified, has been assessed as being likely to be classified at a classification specified opposite it in column 2 or 3 of that item.
TABLE
Item
Column 1
Main gameColumn 2
Advertised computer game
Column 3
Advertised film1
G
G
G
2
PG
PG or G
PG or G
3
M
M, PG or G
M, PG or G
4
MA 15+
MA 15+, M, PG or G
MA 15+, M, PG or G
5
R 18+
R 18+, MA 15+, M, PG or G
R 18+, MA 15+, M, PG or G
Penalty:in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
52Advertisement to contain determined markings and consumer advice
(1)A person must not publish an advertisement for a classified film or a classified publication or a classified computer game unless—
(a)the advertisement contains the determined markings relevant to the classification of the film, publication or computer game and relevant consumer advice, if any; and
(b)the determined markings and consumer advice are displayed—
(i)in the manner determined under section 8 of the Commonwealth Act; and
(ii)so as to be clearly visible, having regard to the size and nature of the advertisement.
Penalty:in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
(2)If—
(a)a film, publication or computer game is reclassified under section 39 or 97A of the Commonwealth Act; or
(b)the Board revokes a classification or consumer advice for a film, publication or computer game under section 22B(3) of that Act; or
(c)the Board revokes a classification for a film, publication or computer game under section 22CH(1) of that Act and classifies it under section 22CH(4) of that Act—
display of the determined markings and consumer advice applicable to the film, publication or computer game before that reclassification or revocation is sufficient compliance with subsection (1) for a period of 14 days after the decision to reclassify or revoke takes effect.
53Misleading or deceptive advertisements
(1)A person must not publish an advertisement for an unclassified film or an unclassified publication or an unclassified computer game with a marking that indicates or suggests that the film or publication or computer game is classified.
Penalty:
(a)if the film, publication or computer game is subsequently classified RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years;
(b)in the case of a film subsequently classified X 18+—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(c)in any other case—
in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
(2)A person must not publish an advertisement for a classified film or a classified publication or a classified computer game with a marking that indicates or suggests that the film or publication or computer game is unclassified or has a different classification.
Penalty:
(a)if the film, publication or computer game is classified RC—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years;
(b)in the case of a film classified X 18+—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months;
(c)in any other case—
in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
(3)If—
(a)a film, publication or computer game is reclassified under section 39 or 97A of the Commonwealth Act; or
(b)the Board revokes a classification for a film, publication or computer game under section 22B(3) of that Act; or
(c)the Board revokes a classification for a film, publication or computer game under section 22CH(1) of that Act and classifies it under section 22CH(4) of that Act—
publication of the determined markings applicable to the film, publication or computer game before that reclassification or revocation is sufficient compliance with subsection (2) for a period of 14 days after the decision to reclassify or revoke takes effect.
54Advertisements for Category 2 restricted publications
(1)A person must not publish an advertisement for a publication classified Category 2 restricted.
Penalty:60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that the advertisement was published—
(a)in a publication classified Category 2 restricted; or
(b)in a restricted publications area.
(3)If an advertisement for a publication classified Category 2 restricted is published in a place other than a restricted publications area, the occupier of the place is guilty of an offence punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding 60 penalty units or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months.
55Classification symbols etc. to be published with advertisements
A person must not publish a publication containing an advertisement for—
(a)a classified film; or
(b)a publication classified Category 1 restricted or Category 2 restricted; or
(c)a classified computer game—
unless the publication also contains a list of the classification symbols and determined markings for films or publications or computer games respectively.
Penalty:in the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
in the case of a body corporate, 50 penalty units.
Part 6—On-line information services
56Definitions
In this Part—
law enforcement agency means—
(a)Victoria Police or the police force or police service of another State or the Northern Territory; or
(b)the Australian Federal Police; or
(c)the Australian Crime Commission established by the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 of the Commonwealth; or
(d)any other authority or person responsible for the enforcement of the laws of—
(i)Victoria or any other State; or
(ii)the Commonwealth; or
(iii)the Northern Territory of Australia;
material unsuitable for minors of any age means—
(a)objectionable material; or
(b)a film that is classified R 18+ or would, if classified, be classified R 18+; or
(ba)a computer game that is classified R 18+ or would, if classified, be classified R 18+; or
(c)a publication that is classified Category 1 restricted or Category 2 restricted, or would, if classified, be classified Category 1 restricted or Category 2 restricted;
material unsuitable for minors under 15 means—
(a)a film that is classified MA 15+ or would, if classified, be classified MA 15+; or
(b)a computer game that is classified MA 15+ or would, if classified, be classified MA 15+;
member or officer of a law enforcement agency, in relation to Victoria Police, means a police officer;
objectionable material means—
(a)an objectionable publication; or
(b)an objectionable film; or
(c)a computer game that—
(i)depicts, expresses or otherwise deals with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in such a way that it offends against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that it should not be classified; or
* * * * *
(iii)promotes, incites or instructs in matters of crime or violence; or
* * * * *
(v)is classified RC or would, if classified, be classified RC;
on-line information service means a service which permits, through a communication system, on-line computer access to or transmission of data or computer programs.
57Publication or transmission of objectionable material
(1)A person must not use an on-line information service to publish or transmit, or make available for transmission, objectionable material.
Penalty:240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the material was not objectionable material.
(3)Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who provides an on-line information service or a telecommunication service unless the person creates or knowingly downloads or copies objectionable material.
(4)Nothing in subsection (1) makes it an offence for—
(a)any member or officer of a law enforcement agency; or
(b)a person authorised in writing by the Chief Commissioner of Police who is assisting a member or officer; or
(c)a person belonging to a class of persons authorised in writing by the Chief Commissioner of Police who is assisting a member or officer—
to do anything referred to in subsection (1) in the exercise or performance of a power, function or duty conferred or imposed on the member or officer by or under this or any other Act or at common law.
* * * * *
58Publication or transmission of certain material to minors
(1)A person must not use an on-line information service to publish or transmit, or make available for transmission, to a minor material unsuitable for minors of any age.
Penalty:
(a)if the material is objectionable material—240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years;
(b)in any other case—60 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that—
(a)the accused—
(i)did not know and could not reasonably have known that the person to whom the material was published or transmitted or made available for transmission was a minor; and
(ii)had taken reasonable steps to avoid publishing or transmitting, or making available for transmission, the material to a minor; or
(b)the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the material was not material unsuitable for minors of any age.
(3)Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who provides an on-line information service or a telecommunication service unless the person knowingly publishes, transmits or makes available for transmission to a minor material unsuitable for minors of any age.
(4)A person must not use an on-line information service to publish or transmit, or make available for transmission, material to a minor under 15 knowing it to be material unsuitable for minors under 15.
Penalty:30 penalty units.
(5)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (4) to prove that—
(a)the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the parent or guardian of the minor had consented to the material being published or transmitted, or made available for transmission, to the minor; or
(b)the accused—
(i)did not know and could not reasonably have known that the person to whom the material was published or transmitted, or made available for transmission, was a minor under 15; and
(ii)had taken reasonable steps to prevent publishing or transmitting, or making available for transmission, the material to a minor under 15.
(6)Subsection (4) does not apply to a person who provides an on-line information service or a telecommunication service unless the person knowingly publishes, transmits or makes available for transmission to a minor under 15 material unsuitable for minors under 15.
59Advertising of objectionable material etc.
(1)A person must not—
(a)publish an advertisement or notice; or
(b)transmit, or make available for transmission, on an on-line information service an advertisement or notice; or
(c)knowingly allow an on-line information service to be used for publishing or transmitting, or making available for transmission, an advertisement or notice—
that objectionable material is available for on-line computer access.
Penalty:240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2)Nothing in subsection (1) makes it an offence for—
(a)any member or officer of a law enforcement agency; or
(b)a person authorised in writing by the Chief Commissioner of Police who is assisting a member or officer; or
(c)a person belonging to a class of persons authorised in writing by the Chief Commissioner of Police who is assisting a member or officer—
to do anything referred to in subsection (1) in the exercise or performance of a power, function or duty conferred or imposed on the member or officer by or under this or any other Act or at common law.
Part 7—Call–in provisions
60Calling in submittable publications for classification
(1)If—
(a)the Director has reasonable grounds to believe that a publication is a submittable publication; and
(b)the publication is being published in Victoria, or the Director has reasonable grounds to believe that it will be published in Victoria; and
(c)the publication is not subject to a conditional cultural exemption—
the Director may, by notice in writing given to the publisher of the publication, require the publisher to submit an application for classification of the publication, or of subsequent issues of the publication, by the Board.
Penalty:10 penalty units.
(2)It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) to prove that the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the minor was an adult.
78Evidence
(1)In any proceeding for an offence against this Act, a certificate, or a copy of a certificate, signed or purporting to be signed by the Director, Deputy Director or Convenor and stating that—
(a)a film or publication or computer game is classified as specified in the certificate and, if the case requires, the determined markings for that type of classification are as specified in the certificate; or
(ab)a film or publication or computer game was, on a date specified in the certificate, classified as specified in the certificate and, if the case requires, the determined markings for that type of classification were as specified in the certificate; or
(b)a classified film or a classified computer game specified in the certificate is modified in a manner specified in the certificate; or
(c)a film or publication or computer game is not classified, or is not classified at a classification specified in the certificate; or
(ca)a film or publication or computer game, on a date specified in the certificate, was not classified or was not classified at a classification specified in the certificate; or
(d)an advertisement described in the certificate is approved or has been refused approval or has not been approved—
is evidence of, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary is proof of, the matters stated in it.
(2)A certificate referred to in subsection (1) in respect of a film, publication, computer game or advertisement applies to each copy of the film, publication, computer game or advertisement the particulars of which correlate with the particulars in the certificate.
79Commencement of prosecution for an offence
(1)A prosecution for an offence against this Act in relation to a film, publication or computer game that is unclassified at the time of the alleged offence—
(a)must not be commenced until the film, publication or computer game has been classified; and
(b)unless the contrary intention appears, may be commenced not later than 12 months after the date on which the film, publication or computer game was classified.
(2)Subsection (1)(a) does not apply if a person has been apprehended in accordance with section 458 of the Crimes Act 1958.
80Proceeding against body corporate
(1)If, in a proceeding for an offence against this Act, it is necessary to establish the state of mind of a body corporate in relation to particular conduct, it is sufficient to show that—
(a)the conduct was engaged in by a director, employee or agent of the body corporate within the scope of his or her actual or apparent authority; and
(b)the director, employee or agent had that state of mind.
(2)If a director, employee or agent of a body corporate engages in conduct on behalf of the body corporate within the scope of his or her actual or apparent authority, the body corporate must be taken, for the purposes of a prosecution for an offence against this Act, also to have engaged in the conduct unless the body corporate establishes that it took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct.
(3)Unless the contrary intention appears, if a body corporate is found guilty of an offence against this Act, the court may impose a fine not exceeding 5 times the maximum amount which the court could otherwise impose in respect of the offence.
81Employees and agents
(1)If, in a proceeding for an offence against this Act, it is necessary to establish the state of mind of a person other than a body corporate in relation to particular conduct, it is sufficient to show that—
(a)an employee or agent of the person had that state of mind; and
(b)the employee or agent engaged in the conduct within the scope of his or her actual or apparent authority.
(2)If an employee or agent of a person other than a body corporate engages in conduct on behalf of the person within the scope of his or her actual or apparent authority, the person must be taken, for the purposes of a prosecution for an offence against this Act, also to have engaged in the conduct unless the person establishes that he or she took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct.
82Costs
If a person is charged with an offence against this Act and the court is satisfied that the person committed the offence, the court may order the person to pay by way of costs, in addition to any other costs, the amount of any fee incurred by the prosecution for classification or the provision of any certificate by the Director, Deputy Director or Convenor.
83Publication to prescribed person or body
Despite anything to the contrary in this Act, a person may publish to a prescribed person or a prescribed body, or to a person or body of a prescribed class or description of persons or bodies—
(a)a film classified RC, X 18+, R 18+ or MA 15+; or
(b)a computer game classified RC, R 18+ or MA 15+; or
(c)a publication classified Category 1 restricted, Category 2 restricted or RC; or
(d)a submittable publication.
84Regulations
The Governor in Council may make regulations for or with respect to any matter or thing required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed or necessary to be prescribed to give effect to this Act.
Part 11—Repeals, consequential amendments and transitional provisions
* * * * *
87Transitional and saving provisions
(1)In this section—
former Act means Classification of Films and Publications Act 1990;
Ordinance means Classification of Publications Ordinance 1983 of the Australian Capital Territory.
(2)A film which is classified as a "G", "PG", "M", "MA" or "R" film or has been refused classification under the former Act before the commencement of this section is deemed to have been classified G, PG, M, MA or R or RC respectively under the Commonwealth Act.
(3)A film which is classified as an "X" film under the Ordinance before the commencement of this section is deemed to have been classified X under the Commonwealth Act.
(4)An advertisement relating to a film which has been approved or refused approval under the former Act before the commencement of this section is deemed to have been approved or refused approval, as the case may be, under the Commonwealth Act.
(5)A publication which has been classified as an unrestricted publication or a Category 1 restricted publication or a Category 2 restricted publication or has been refused classification under the Ordinance before the commencement of this section is deemed to have been classified Unrestricted, Category 1 restricted or Category 2 restricted or RC respectively under the Commonwealth Act.
(6)A computer game which has been classified under the Ordinance with a classification specified in column 1 of an item in the Table before the commencement of this section is deemed to have been classified under the Commonwealth Act with a classification specified opposite it in column 2 of that item.
TABLE
|
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
| 1 | "G" | G |
| 2 | "G (8+)" | G (8+) |
| 3 | "M (15+)" | M (15+) |
| 4 | "MA (15+)" | MA (15+) |
(7)A computer game which has been refused, or is taken to have been refused, classification under the Ordinance before the commencement of this section is deemed to have been classified RC under the Commonwealth Act.
(8)Nothing in this Act (except section 61) applies to or in relation to a computer game published before the date of commencement of this section unless the computer game has been classified or refused classification.
(9)Advertising matter in relation to a computer game which has been approved or refused approval under the Ordinance before the commencement of this section is deemed to have been approved or refused approval under the Commonwealth Act.
(10)If on the commencement of this section an application for classification or approval under the former Act has been made but not determined, the application is deemed to have been made under the Commonwealth Act.
(11)If an application for review under the former Act has been made but not determined, the former Act continues to apply until the determination of the application, including any further review of a previous decision.
(12)If a certificate of exemption in respect of an unclassified film has been granted under section 29A of the former Act and is in force, the certificate is deemed to have been granted under section 33 of the Commonwealth Act.
87ATransitional provisions (1998 amendments)
(1)The amendment of section 75 made by a provision of section 12 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 1998 applies to a publication, film or computer game seized before or after the commencement of that provision.
(2)An amendment of this Act made by any other provision of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 1998 applies to a publication, film or computer game seized after the commencement of that provision.
87BTransitional provisions (2001 amendments)
(1)Section 57A, as inserted by section 16 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 2001, applies only to a use of an on-line information service on or after the commencement of section 16 of that Act.
(2)Section 40(3A) and (3B), as inserted by section 11(1) of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 2001, applies to a computer game whether published before or after the commencement of section 11(1) of that Act.
(3)Sections 62A and 62B, as inserted by section 15 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 2001, apply to a publication, film or computer game whether published before or after the commencement of section 15 of that Act.
(4)An amendment of this Act made by any other provision of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 2001 only applies to—
(a)a publication, film or computer game first published on or after the commencement of that provision; or
(b)a publication, film or computer game for which an application for classification is made on or after that commencement.
87CDefinition (2005 amendments)
In sections 87D and 87E, equivalent former classification in relation to a classification specified in column 1 of the following table—
(a)in the case of a film, means the former classification specified opposite it in column 2 of the table; and
(b)in the case of a computer game, means the former classification specified opposite it in column 3 of the table.
TABLE
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 New classification Former classification for films Former classification for computer games PG G (8+) M M (15+) MA 15+ MA MA (15+) R 18+ R X 18+ X
87DFilms and computer games classified before 2005 amendments
(1)An amendment of this Act made by sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 13 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 2005 extends to a film or computer game classified before the commencement of the amendment.
(2)For that purpose, a reference in this Act to a classification of a film or computer game, in relation to an offence against this Act that is alleged to have been committed on or after the commencement of sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 13 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 2005, is a reference to the classification that the film or computer game has or is taken to have under the Commonwealth Act on or after the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Act 2004 of the Commonwealth.
(3)If a film or computer game was classified before the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Act 2004 of the Commonwealth—
(a)a person does not commit an offence against section 18(3) or 40(3) of this Act by selling the film or computer game in a container, wrapping or casing that displays a marking indicating the equivalent former classification of the film or computer game; and
(b)a person does not commit an offence against section 53(2) of this Act by publishing an advertisement for the film or computer game that indicates the equivalent former classification of the film or computer game.
87EOffences committed before 2005 amendments
(1)This section applies to offences against this Act alleged to have been committed before the commencement of sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 13 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 2005.
(2)Any proceeding for an offence referred to in subsection (1) is to be dealt with as if sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 13 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 2005 had not been enacted, except as otherwise provided by this section.
(3)For the purposes of any proceeding for an offence referred to in subsection (1), a reference in this Act to a classification of a film or computer game is a reference to the classification that had effect under the Commonwealth Act before the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Act 2004 of the Commonwealth.
(4)If an offence referred to in subsection (1) is alleged to have been committed in relation to an unclassified film or unclassified computer game that is subsequently classified on or after the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Act 2004 of the Commonwealth, in any proceeding for the offence—
(a)the film or computer game is taken to have been classified with the equivalent former classification; and
(b)evidence or proof that the film or computer game is classified at a specified classification is taken to be evidence or proof of the equivalent former classification.
87FOther transitional provisions (2005 amendments)
(1)Section 75A as amended by section 8 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 2005 applies to films, publications and computer games seized on or after the commencement of section 8 of that Act.
(2)Section 78 as amended by section 9 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 2005 applies to any certificate issued on or after the commencement of section 9 of that Act.
87GTransitional provisions (2009 amendments)
(1)An amendment of this Act made by Part 2 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Amendment Act 2009 applies to—
(a)an advertisement published or screened; or
(b)an advertisement that accompanies a film or computer game sold—
on or after the commencement of Part 2 of that Act.
(2)If a certificate of exemption in relation to an unclassified film has been granted under section 33 of the Commonwealth Act as in force before its repeal by the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Assessments and Advertising) Act 2008 of the Commonwealth, a person does not commit an offence against Part 5 of this Act by reason only of advertising the film in accordance with the conditions, if any, determined under section 35 of the Commonwealth Act as in force before its repeal.
(3)Subsection (2) is subject to the regulations, if any, made under item 13 of Schedule 1 to the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Assessments and Advertising) Act 2008 of the Commonwealth.
88Transitional provision—Crimes Amendment (Sexual Offences and Other Matters) Act 2014
(1)The amendments made to this Act by section 28 of the Crimes Amendment (Sexual Offences and Other Matters) Act 2014 apply to a proceeding that commences before, on or after the commencement of that section, irrespective of when the offence to which the proceeding relates is alleged to have been committed.
(2)Despite subsection (1), the amendments made to this Act by section 28 of the Crimes Amendment (Sexual Offences and Other Matters) Act 2014 do not apply to a proceeding in which the hearing or trial (as the case requires) has commenced before the commencement of that section.
Note
See section 210 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009 regarding when a trial commences.
* * * * *
89Transitional provision (2015 amendments)
(1)If an exemption under Part 8 of this Act is in force immediately before the repeal of that Part by section 12 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Amendment Act 2015—
(a)the exemption remains in force according to its terms, on and from that repeal; and
(b)Part 8 as in force immediately before its repeal continues to apply in respect of that exemption.
(2)If an application made under Part 8 of this Act has not been decided before the repeal of that Part by section 12 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Amendment Act 2015, the application is taken never to have been made.
Schedule
Section 76(4)
RESTRICTED PUBLICATIONS AREA
PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE
MAY NOT ENTER
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED THAT SOME MATERIAL DISPLAYED IN THIS
AREA MAY CAUSE OFFENCE.
═══════════════
Endnotes
1 General information
See for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.
Minister's second reading speech—
Legislative Assembly: 1 November 1995
Legislative Council: 16 November 1995
The long title for the Bill for this Act was "A Bill to provide for the enforcement of a scheme of classification of publications, films and computer games and for other purposes.".
The Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995 was assented to on 5 December 1995 and came into operation as follows:
Sections 1 to 5 on 5 December 1995: section 2(1); rest of Act on 1 January 1996: Government Gazette 21 December 1995 page 3570.
INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)
Style changes
Section 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.
References to ILA s. 39B
Sidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression "(1)" at the beginning of the original section or clause.
Interpretation
As from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:
• Headings
All headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).
• Examples, diagrams or notes
All examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).
• Punctuation
All punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).
• Provision numbers
All provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).
• Location of "legislative items"
A "legislative item" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.
• Other material
Any explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.
See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).
2 Table of Amendments
This publication incorporates amendments made to the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995 by Acts and subordinate instruments.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 1998, No. 60/1998
Assent Date: 27.10.98 Commencement Date: Ss 4–15 on 1.1.99: s. 2(2) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 2001, No. 69/2001
Assent Date: 7.11.01 Commencement Date: Ss 16, 17 on 8.11.01: s. 2(1); ss 4–15, 18 on 23.3.02: s. 2(3) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) (Amendment) Act 2005, No. 6/2005
Assent Date: 27.4.05 Commencement Date: Ss 8–11 on 28.4.05: s. 2(1); ss 4–7 on 26.5.05: s. 2(2) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
Justice Legislation (Further Amendment) Act 2006, No. 79/2006
Assent Date: 10.10.06 Commencement Date: Ss 6–9 on 1.7.07: s. 2(6) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Amendment Act 2008, No. 5/2008
Assent Date: 14.3.08 Commencement Date: Ss 4–12 on 15.3.08: s. 2(3) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Amendment Act 2009, No. 33/2009
Assent Date: 30.6.09 Commencement Date: Ss 4–13 on 1.7.09: s. 2(3) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
Criminal Procedure Amendment (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2009, No. 68/2009
Assent Date: 24.11.09 Commencement Date: S. 97(Sch. item 20) on 1.1.10: Government Gazette 10.12.09 p. 3215 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
Statute Law Revision Act 2011, No. 29/2011
Assent Date: 21.6.11 Commencement Date: S. 3(Sch. 1 item 12) on 22.6.11: s. 2(1) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Amendment Act 2012, No. 72/2012
Assent Date: 4.12.12 Commencement Date: Ss 17–20 on 5.12.12: s. 2(1); ss 4–16 on 1.1.13: s. 2(2) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
Victoria Police Amendment (Consequential and Other Matters) Act 2014, No. 37/2014
Assent Date: 3.6.14 Commencement Date: S. 10(Sch. item 19) on 1.7.14: Special Gazette (No. 200) 24.6.14 p. 2 Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
Crimes Amendment (Sexual Offences and Other Matters) Act 2014, No. 74/2014
Assent Date: 21.10.14 Commencement Date: Ss 28, 29 on 3.11.14: Special Gazette (No. 400) 29.10.14 p. 1 Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Amendment Act 2015, No. 36/2015
Assent Date: 8.9.15 Commencement Date: Ss 4-8, 14, 15 on 8.9.15: s. 2(1); Ss 9-13 on 11.9.15: s. 2(1) Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
Crimes Amendment (Sexual Offences) Act 2016, No. 47/2016
Assent Date: 6.9.16 Commencement Date: S. 34 on 1.7.17: s. 2(2) Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
Oaths and Affirmations Act 2018, No. 6/2018
Assent Date: 27.2.18 Commencement Date: S. 68(Sch. 2 item 24) on 1.3.19: s. 2(2) Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
3 Amendments Not in Operation
There are no amendments which were Not in Operation at the date of this publication.
4 Explanatory details
No entries at date of publication.
0
0
0