CANBERRA, New Zealand — In a move that the New Zealand Herald called “draconian,” legislation was introduced to the Australian Parliament that would allow anyone possessing more than five adult-oriented films or magazines to be arrested for “trafficking” and face up to two years in prison. The ban extends to persons possessing lesser amounts of explicit materials and any violation also will be punishable with fines.
“The Little Children Are Sacred’ report revealed the availability of pornography in Northern Territory communities as a factor contributing to child sexual abuse, being used to groom children for sex, and desensitizing children to violence and inappropriate sexual behavior,” Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough told Parliament.