Kedgley Sue: Films Videos and Publications Classification Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Kedgley Sue: Films Videos and Publications Classification Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:615;Page:11463] 
SUE KEDGLEY (Green) 
: 
 The Green Party is delighted to support this bill to the select committee. Frankly we are delighted to support any legislation that addresses one of the great scourges of our time—pornography in general and child pornography in particular and the fact that the Internet has become one of the major vehicles for the worldwide proliferation of child pornography and pornography. 
Frankly any person who is a parent in our land will be concerned about this issue—the availability of pornography and in particular child pornography on the Internet. The ability of unsupervised children to access this material is a huge concern for every single parent. It is literally extending its tentacles into our lives and it is an enormous issue that we must address. 
 Obviously it is not simple. It is not easy to address this issue. The previous speaker Mr Franks from the ACT party pointed out what he considers to be some flaws in the bill. That is why we are sending it to a select committee. Those issues that Mr Franks raised can be dealt with in the select committee. Frankly all members of this Parliament would wish to support this bill and to see us try to deal with and resolve this particular issue. 
The bill increases the maximum penalties—that is up to 10 years for persons who trade distribute or possess pornographic material. That surely is something that will be welcomed by all members in this House. It extends the scope of the definitions tightens them up and basically aligns our penalties with those of the United Kingdom and Canada. The bill increases the penalties to create disincentives to distribute supply or possess child pornography. It also aligns New Zealand with our international obligations in that respect. 
These are all extraordinary positive provisions that every person in this House would surely support. Every person in this House and indeed all of New Zealand is incredibly worried about pornography and in particular child pornography. They are worried about what we can do to protect our children from this hideous new crime that is being perpetrated on Internets all through the land and accessing our vulnerable children and adolescents. 
We are absolutely delighted to be able to support this bill. We look forward to addressing some of the issues that have been raised by Mr Franks and others as to what they consider to be flaws in the legislation. We believe that is the purpose of the select committee process. We look forward to participating actively in the select committee to strengthen— 
Stephen Franks 
: There is no ACT member on that committee. 
SUE KEDGLEY 
: But I am sure the ACT member will be aware that the provisions of this House enable any member to participate in a select committee. Given the strength of Mr Franks’ concerns about this bill I am quite sure that he and the ACT party will wish to avail themselves of membership of the committee so that they can participate in strengthening this bill. There is no point in just criticising such an important piece of legislation from the sidelines. If there are issues we need to address them in the select committee. We will be very happy to do our part to strengthen and ensure the passage of this important legislation.