Senator Joyce has welcomed Senator Lyn Allison’s Notice of Motion (to be moved tomorrow) regarding the sexualisation of children in the media.

The Notice of Motion will move that the following matter be referred to the Senate Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee:

The sexualisation of children in the contemporary media environment, including radio and television, children's magazines, other print and advertising material and the internet and in particular, will:

a) examine the sources and beneficiaries of premature sexualisation of children in the media

b) review the evidence on the short- and long-term effects of viewing or buying sexualising and objectifying images and products and their influence on cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, sexuality, attitudes and beliefs

c) examine strategies to prevent and/or reduce the sexualisation of children in the media and the effectiveness of different approaches in ameliorating its effects, including the role of school-based sexuality and reproductive health education and change in media and advertising regulation such as the commercial Television Industry Codes of Practice and the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice


“Firstly, let me commend Senator Allison’s work on this issue. I believe as this chapter of Senator Allison’s political career moves towards a conclusion, this is an issue which her support of will be highly regarded.

“Australia, in unison, has been shocked by the incidents of the sexualisation of children by the paedophile ring that was broken by Taskforce Argos – Operation Achilles. We all hope for a rescue but live in fear for the safety of the 9 year old girl they have not yet found, whose disgusting abuse has apparently been the ‘trophy’ of these paedophile creatures.

“In our Australian society we must clearly send a message that a child has the right to grow up in a life unaffected by a sexualisation that leaves them vulnerable to exploitation by others and takes them beyond that wonderful period of innocence in ones life before the eventual immersion in the facets of the adult.”

“Over a period of time there has been a creeping toward a sexualisation of the child through media and advertising and this, if you want to protect children in general, must cease.

“What might appear harmless becomes the first step in the gradation towards the harmful and we must be eternally vigilant and be prepared to be outspoken to protect children from a path that leads to harm.

“I hope Senator Allison’s motion receives the unambiguous and the wide ranging support it deserves and the inquiry leads to changes of effect.” Senator Joyce said.

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