Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Porn laws confuse travellers to Australia

Confused travellers unsure about what sort of porn they're allowed to bring into Australia have prompted a reworking of incoming passenger cards. Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said he had asked the Customs and Border Protection command to change the wording on the declaration cards travellers must fill out when they fly into Australia.

"The previous card stated that travellers needed to disclose any 'pornography' they were carrying," Mr O'Connor said. "That has now been amended to read 'illegal pornography'."



But with no further advice on hand about what constitutes "illegal pornography", travellers may be forced to run their selection by a Customs officer. "My advice to travellers is that, if you're in doubt, find out," Mr O'Connor said.

"Customs officers operate with discretion and the penalties for failing to declare a prohibited import are steep." Prohibited pornography includes child pornography and material depicting bestiality, explicit sexual violence, degradation, cruelty and non-consensual sex, a statement from the minister said.

With news video.

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