Porn laws confuse travellers
Georgina Robinson
October 18, 2010 - 6:35PM
               
Confused travellers unsure about what sort of porn they’re allowed to bring into Australia have prompted a re-working of incoming passenger cards.
Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor said he had asked 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.
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‘‘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.
Last financial year half of the 1300 instances of prohibited or restricted material Customs detected was brought in by passengers entering Australia. 
A fine of up to $11,000 applies if travellers are caught making a false or misleading statement to a Customs officer.
Bringing child pornography into Australia can result in a fine of up to $275,000 and a maximum of 10 years in jail.
An express reference to pornography was added to the card in late 2009 after a rise in detections of child abuse material and material that had not been classified or had been refused classification.
“Even though there have been import bans on illegal pornography for a long time, some travellers still don’t realise that,’’ Mr O’Connor said.
‘‘Highlighting it on the incoming passenger cards is aimed at raising public awareness and reducing attempted illegal imports.”
Link here:
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/tra ... 20101018-16qn6.html

Trust Australia to have the frigging porn custom laws...

Australian customs is the downright overdone. ALways takes ages to get through after they searched every bit of luggage you have!!

Don't know why you seem to get special attention. I've been through Australian customs dozen times and have never had my luggage searched in the way you described.

I know it can be a hassle, but I support the strong stance of the customs here, you'd be amazed at the stuff people will try to bring in.

Yep, anything to do with airlines/airports I don't have a problem waiting for!

Not sure what passenger cards I was looking at - I don't think I ever saw one stating I had to declare all pornography. There was some leeway, like "pornography that may contravene laws", or something like that.

i think illegal pornography is usually described as child pornography...

unless they are also including pirated pornography where people do direct downloads lol