The Office of Film and Literature Classification is a statutory censorship and classification body which provides day to day administrative support for the Classification Board which classified films, video games and publications in Australia, and the Classification Review Board which reviews films, computer games and publications when a valid application has been made. A statute is a formal written enactment of a Legislative authority that governs a Country, State, City, or County. Censorship is the suppression of speech or deletion of communicative material which may be considered objectionable harmful or sensitive as determined by a censor A video game is a Game that involves interaction with a User interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. To publish is to make content Publicly known. The term is most frequently applied to the distribution of text or images on paper or to the placing of content For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics.
The Classification Board and the Classification Review Board are established by the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (Cth). This Act also contains the National Classification Code.
Though the Office of Film and Literature Classification has taken 'censorship' out of its title it is able to censor media by refusing classification and making the media illegal for hire, exhibition and importation to Australia. This has attracted particular controversy in the case of computer and video games as the R18+ classification does not exist for video games.
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Organization
In February 2006 Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced that the policy and administrative functions of the OFLC would become part of the Attorney-General’s Department, and, while the Classification Board and Classification Review Board would continue to make classification decisions, they would be serviced by a secretariat from the Attorney-General’s Department. Philip Maxwell Ruddock (born March 12, 1943) is an Australian politician who served in various ministries in the Coalition Government of former Australian
Members
Donald McDonald has been named as the new director but yet to be appointed by the Attorney-General’s Department. Critics are concerned the appointment facilitates the Government's ability to control or restrict material, in particular that which incites or instructs terrorism. [1]
The current members of the Classification Board:
- Olya Booyar (deputy director)
- Wendy Banfield (senior classifier)
- Marie-Louise Carroll (senior classifier)
- Jeremy Fenton
- Alexandra Greene
- Robert Sanderson
- Rodney Smith
- Lynn Townsend
- Marlon Valbuena
The current members of the Classification Review Board:
- Maureen Shelley (convenor)
- Trevor Griffin (deputy convenor)
- Rob Shilkin
- Kathryn Smith
- Gillian Groom
- Anthony Hetrih
Film and video game ratings
As of May 24, 2005, the Movie Ratings system has been colour-coded and the presentation updated, following changes in the code. Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A color code is a system for displaying information by using different Colors Reading a color code is often difficult or impossible for the color blind. However, the previous classification symbols can still be seen on DVD and video packaging released before the change.
Some films and games (e. g. educational content) may be exempt from classification.
E (Exempt from Classification) - These films are granted permission to be sold without a specific classification. This classification is usually granted to (and not limited to) educational content such as documentaries, concerts, fitness programmes, educational software and non-violent sporting events. Currently there is no predetermined marking for exempt films and computer games [1], although it is advised that films and computer games that are exempt display “This film/computer game is exempt from classification”.
The content varies depending on the show / film. Any film or computer game which is to be rated E must not exceed the PG rating.
G (General) - These films and computer games are for general viewing. However, G does not necessarily designate a children’s film or game as many of these productions contain content that would be of no interest to children.
The content is very mild in impact.
PG (Parental guidance recommended) - These films and computer games contain material that may confuse or upset younger viewers.
The content is mild in impact.
M (Recommended for mature audiences) - These films and computer games contain material that requires a mature perspective. This classification was formerly known as M15+. There is no restriction on access.
The content is moderate in impact.
Note that the classifications above this point are advisory in nature only--they are not legally binding. By contrast, the classifications below are legally restricted--i. e. , it is illegal to sell or exhibit materials so classified to a person younger than the respective age limit.
MA15+ (Not suitable for under 15s) - The content is considered unsuitable for exhibition by persons under the age of 15. Persons under 15 may only legally purchase or exhibit MA15+ rated content under the supervision of an adult guardian. This is a legally restricted category.
There are four classification categories for video games: G, PG, M, MA15+. Video games which exceed the impact of what the MA15+ rating allows are refused classification (RC). Games refused classification may be edited and resubmitted by their developers to garner an MA15+ classification.
People under 15 are not permitted to purchase or rent films or video games classified MA15+ unless they are accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
The content is strong in impact.
R18+ (Restricted) - People under 18 cannot buy, rent or exhibit these films. The R18+ rating applies to film only -- any video games which rate higher than MA15+ are banned from sale.
The content is high in impact.
X18+ (Pornographic) - People under 18 cannot exhibit, buy or rent films that have been issued this classification.
This rating applies to pornographic content.
Films rated X18+ are currently legally available for purchase in only the ACT and the Northern Territory. } The Australian Capital Territory (ACT is the Capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and its smallest self-governing internal territory The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the center of the mainland continent as well as the central northern regions However these films may be legally purchased from interstate via mail-order. Enforcement is relaxed and most adult shops carry extensive stock of X18+ material.
Refused Classification (RC)
Films which are very high in impact and/or contain any type of violence in conjunction with real sexual intercourse are Refused Classification by the OFLC. The reasons why a film may be refused classification that:
- Depict, express or otherwise deals with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that they should not be classified.
- Depict in a way that is likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult a minor who is, or who appears to be, under 16 (whether or not engaged in sexual activity).
- Promote, incite or instruct in matters of crime or violence.
Classification is mandatory, and films that are refused classification by the OFLC are banned for sale, hire, public exhibition or importation into Australia, carrying a maximum fine of $275,000 and/or 10 years jail. For nearly the entire History of film production certain films have been either Boycotted by political and religious groups or literally banned by a Regime It is also illegal to possess content that has been Refused Classification due to illegal content (e. g. child pornography).
Previous video game ratings
These ratings are still shown on some older video games that are still on sale in Australia
 | G — General : The G classification is for a general audience. |
 | G8+ — General for children over 8 years of age: Material classified G8+ may contain material which some children find confusing or upsetting, and may require the guidance of parents or guardians. It is not recommended for viewing by people under 8 without guidance from parents or guardians. This rating has since been changed to PG. |
 | M15+ — Mature: Material classified M15+ is not recommended for people under 15 years of age. However, there are no legal restrictions on access. This rating has since been changed to M to prevent confusion with the stronger MA15+ classification. |
 | MA15+ — Mature Restricted: Material classified MA15+ is considered unsuitable for people under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category. People under the age of 15 are not allowed to purchase or hire unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. |
Literature Ratings
– Unrestricted
– Unrestricted – Mature- Not recommended for readers under 15. 
– Restricted Category 1 – Not available to persons under 18 years. 
– Restricted Category 2 – Pornographic in nature; restricted as above. Pornography or porn is the explicit depiction of Sexual subject matter with the sole intention of sexually exciting the viewer
Any literature that does not fall into any of the above categories is Refused Classification. It is uncommon for these ratings to appear on books.
See also
- Censorship in Australia
- Banned films, which includes an extensive list of films banned in Australia. Australia is a federation, and responsibility for censorship is divided between the states and the federal government For nearly the entire History of film production certain films have been either Boycotted by political and religious groups or literally banned by a Regime
- Video game controversy Looks at the history of games censorship in Australia
- Internet censorship in Australia
- List of pornography laws by region Australian hardcore pornography laws. Similar to other forms of media Video games have been the subject of debate and Censorship. Internet censorship in Australia is largely the province of the Federal Government and its laws on Internet censorship are theoretically amongst the most restrictive in the Pornography laws differ widely from region to region Below is a brief summary of pornography restrictions sorted by country Australia See also Censorship in
- CERO, the Japanese computer and video game rating system
- ESRB, the United States and Canadian computer and video game rating system
- ELSPA, the former British computer and video game rating system, replaced by the PEGI ratings. The ( CERO) is the Organization that rates video games and Computer Software in Japan with levels of rating that informs the customer For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The Entertainment Software Rating Board ( ESRB) is a self-regulatory organization that applies and enforces ratings, Advertising guidelines and The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association ( ELSPA) is an Organisation set up in 1989 by British Software publishers It The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located
- MPAA film rating system, the United States film rating system
- PEGI, the European computer and video game rating system
- USK, the German computer and video game rating system
- OFLC, the New Zealand media rating system
- IFCO, the Irish censorship rating system. The Motion Picture Association of America's film-rating system is used in the U The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Pan European Game Information ( PEGI) is a European Video game content rating system. USK redirects here For the Usinsk airport see Usinsk Airport. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. The Office of Film and Literature Classification ( OFLC, Te Tari Whakaropu Tukuata Tuhituhinga is the government agency in New Zealand that is responsible for New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world
Footnotes
External links
- Refused-Classification.com Database of films, games, and books that have had problems with the OFLC
- Libertus Australia a website maintained by Irene Graham, the executive director of EFA.
- The Chopping List Database of films that have had censorship problems in Australia
- The Games Censorship Collection Games Censorship by the OFLC
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