Bipartisan pushback as national censor requests more power

Two senior opposing MPs have put politics aside to push back against a move to reclassify classic films and books.

In a rare show of unity, Labor minister Clare O’Neil and Coalition frontbencher Barnaby Joyce have voiced their opposition to giving the national censor more powers.

The Australian Classification Board can currently only reclassify films, shows and books at the request of the federal communications minister.

But it has made the case to review content every 10 years, requesting new powers to proactively reclassify “archaic and out-of-step’’ material based on “ongoing complaints, requests or inquiries’’.

Crocodile Dundee, Mary Poppins, Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton, are among the films and authors and films the national censor is eyeing up for reclassification.

Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, Crocodile Dundee and Mary Poppins were among the authors and films the board highlighted to make its case in a federal review.

Asked during a usually fiery morning show slot with Mr Joyce if they should be banned, Ms O’Neil said on Monday she was “not in that camp of rewriting things”.

Labor Minister Clare O’Neil says she is ‘not in that camp of rewriting things’. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Absolutely not. You spoke about the children books, but when you mentioned Crocodile Dundee – are you kidding me?” she told Seven’s Sunrise.

“One of the greatest movies ever made.

“To put this in context, the board’s public servants – not the government itself – have said they want additional powers over classifications.

“The communications minister will review that.

“I’m not in that camp of rewriting things that have been pivotal to my childhood and yours.

“I think they are fantastic works of art and I will continue reading these books to my kids.”

Mr Joyce agreed, and even gave a little praise of Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.

Coalition frontbencher Barnaby Joyce has backed Michelle Rowland, calling her a ‘good minister’. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“I think Michelle Rowland is a good minister and she won’t put up with … telling us what to do and what to believe in,” he said.

“I mean, taking on Crocodile Dundee? If it is not obviously violent or pornographic or something that clearly tells you something is wrong, then leave it alone.”

Originally published as Bipartisan pushback as national censor requests more power