EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
ORDINANCE NO. 2 OF 1992
ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE ATTORNEY·GENERAL
SEAT OF GOVERNMENT (ADMINISTRATION) ACT 1910
CLASSIFICATION OF PUBLICATIONS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992
The Classification of Publications (Amendment) Ordinance 1992 amends the Classification of Publications Ordinance 1983 to - 
(a)	provide for a new ‘MA’ classification which will replace part of the existing ‘M’ classification as it is presently set out. Films (including videos) at the ‘lower’ end of the existing ‘M’ classification will continue to be classified ‘M’ and be recommended for viewing by persons 15 years and over. Those films that are unsuitable for viewing by persons under 15 years, which will constitute the proposed ‘MA’ classification, cannot be sold, hired or delivered to a person under the age of 15 years other than by a parent or guardian; and 
(b)	require the Censorship Board to classify a film as an ‘MA’ film if the film depicts, expresses or otherwise deals with sex, violence or coarse language in such a manner as to make the film unsuitable for viewing by persons under the age of 15 years. 
The Classification of Publications Ordinance 1983, which commenced on 1 February 1984, provides for publications and films (including videocassettes) in the Australian Capital Territory to be subject to a censorship classification scheme agreed to in July 1983 by Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers with responsibility for censorship matters. 
The amendments seek to address recent concern about the breadth of the ‘M’ classification which can range from films such as Crocodile Dundee / My Left Foot to Cape Fear / Silence of the Lambs. Research has confirmed that there is substantial community concern about children under the age of 15 years having access to material in the ‘higher’ end of the ‘M’ classification. Accordingly, the amendments provide for a new ‘MA’ classification proposed by the Prime Minister and endorsed by Premiers and Chief Ministers at the Heads of Australian Government conference on 7 December 1992.