Anne Stanley (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to make my contribution to the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Industry Self-Classification and Other Measures) Bill 2023. The legislation being debated today is the first stage of the Albanese government's two-stage reform process—the important and complex process of updating our national classification framework to ensure that it is fit for purpose and that it works for Australians.

The National Classification Scheme was introduced in 1995. It required agreement between all states and territories and has been left largely unchanged, despite the rapid transformation of the media landscape and how Australians consume content. In 1995, 2.8 per cent of the Australian population were internet users. In 2020, that number stood at 89.6 per cent. The National Classification Scheme is in urgent need of review if it is to continue to provide Australian consumers with accurate information on the content they are consuming, ensuring they can trust the integrity of the scheme.

Since 1995 Australia's classification arrangements have been the subject of several reviews, including the Australian Law Reform Commission's 2012 report, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's 2019 report and the Stevens review, handed to the Morrison government three years ago, which has now been released by the Albanese government. The Stevens review was a comprehensive, 145-page document that highlighted the need for a system that can better adapt to the fast-changing nature of the media landscape, one that provides information to Australians. The conclusion that all three reviews had in common was that the classification system is out of date and aspects of the system are no longer fit for purpose. The industry, itself, has been highlighting the need for reform. This bill will implement the Albanese government's first stage of this reform process.

A key element of this bill will expand options for the industry to self-classify content. Currently, in order to classify content, submissions must be made to the Classification Board, or minister-approved classification tools must be used; however, this process is outdated and time-consuming as the volume of content has increased so rapidly. It has become cumbersome, resource-intensive and inefficient for industry, especially content providers who do not have the necessary resources. The new process will establish a new accreditation system that allows individuals who are trained and accredited to classify content. It will reduce time frames, allow faster classification and reduce the cost for business. It is a measure that is good for both businesses and consumers. However, there must be an appropriate level of safeguards and oversight of the new self-classification system. The legislation will expand the powers of the Classification Board and introduce provisions to ensure the proper regulation of the system. These provisions will include criteria to assess individuals seeking accreditation, as well as a provision to suspend or revoke accreditation. This legislation will ensure the quality of the self-classification of those accredited. This is necessary not only to ensure the integrity of the system but also so that consumers have confidence in the classifications—that they mean what they say. The board will revoke and change classifications as necessary.

The bill provides classification exemptions for certain low-risk content. This includes low-risk content such as films that are in a language other than English and that are distributed through public libraries and displayed by approved cultural institutions, exhibitions and events. This is an important change to cut the administrative red tape for cultural and artistic use of content and make accessibility easier for consumers. Additionally, this bill will further streamline the process of classification for content that has already been classified under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. This bill supports the principle of 'classify once'. Currently, such content is required to be reclassified under the classification act—an issue that was noted in the 2020 Stevens review and the 2019 ACCC review—which is an inefficient and burdensome requirement. Simply put, content that has not been altered or modified and that has already been classified should not need to be reclassified. Removing this requirement will harmonise and improve the efficiency of the system. This is a commonsense change.

The changes detailed in this bill are part of our commitment to reforming the classification system—a system that has been in place for decades with little change. It is a difficult task. As such, this bill has been introduced ahead of the second stage of reforms, prioritising the immediate improvements and adjusting the scheme to put it on the right path in preparation for comprehensive second-stage reforms. Whilst a long process, it is an important one, and it must be done correctly to ensure that consumers and content providers are confident in the system and, more importantly, that everyone has the protection they require.

I commend the work of the Minister for Communications, both on the bill that is currently before the House and on the extensive consultation process that is continuing. The Australian community expects a robust, responsive and modern classification framework, and that is what the Albanese government is delivering. I commend the bill to the House.

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