Conflicting Policies for Film Presentation in NSW Schools
Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: I ask the Minister for Health, representing the Minister for Education and Training, a question without notice. Is the Minister aware of conflicting policies on the presentation of M15+ films to primary school students? In particular, is the Minister aware that the latest excursion policy released in 2004 allows for M15+ films to be shown to primary school students while a more detailed memorandum to principals, entitled Use of Videos in Schools, that currently remains in force, expressly forbids showing M15+ films to under-age children? Is the Minister aware that the conflicting policies have created much angst and some confusion between parents and principals? What is the correct policy on showing M15+ films to primary schoolchildren, most of them under 11 years of age, when the law says they must be restricted to people over the age of 15 years? What will the Minister do to correct the discrepancy?
The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: The last time I visited this issue was when I was Minister for Justice and looking into what ratings we gave prisoners in respect of the videos they saw in prison. I cannot say that I am familiar with the school policy, but I will take the question on notice and obtain an answer from the Minister for Education and Training.
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The Hon. CARMEL TEBBUTT: Since the Use of Video in Schools Memorandum was issued in 1998, the Office of Film and Literature Classification has changed its classifications. However, the meaning of the classification markings has not changed. The correspondence is still there with the G, PG and M ratings but the MA and R are reinforced as legally restricted with the MA15+ and R18+ additions to the codes.
The Memorandum to Principals, Use of Videos in Schools is the current policy document in relation to the viewing of films, including videos and DVDs.
The Memorandum to Principals, Use of Videos in Schools states explicitly that films classified as M or MA (MA15+) should only be provided for students who are 15 years and over and parents should be informed in writing before a video rated M or MA (MA15+) is shown and provided with the opportunity to withdraw their child from the viewing.
Material rated R (R18+) is not to be shown to students in schools under any circumstances.
The Excursion Policy (2004) relates to all educational excursions and includes a section 6.1.2 Film Screenings and Live Performances. This section states explicitly that students should not attend R18+ (R) classifications and that the MA15+ (MA) classification is legally restricted.
This section also states that parents and caregivers must be informed of the classification of the film or live performance to be viewed as part of the excursion and provided with the opportunity to withdraw their child.
The Excursion Policy (2004) does not explicitly refer to an M rated live performance or film screenings but this document should be read in conjunction with the policy referred to in the Memorandum to Principals, Use of Video in Schools because the Excursion Policy does not supersede the policy contained in the memorandum.
No primary age students should be shown films or live screenings that are rated M or MA15+ (MA).
