Adult shops fined for selling banned DVDs and Magazines
Published Wednesday, 17 September, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
The Office of Fair Trading has successfully prosecuted two Queensland adult shops for selling banned films and magazines, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said today.
Mr Costa Giorge George and Mr Con Ange, proprietors of Everything Adult, Elizabeth Street were each fined $5,000.
Merlaway Pty Ltd, proprietor of Naughty but Nice, Capalaba was fined $2,000 for the sale and display of banned publications and films.
“The court action was a direct result of fair trading compliance activity,” Mr Shine said.
“Office of Fair Trading inspectors found the banned items on sale while responding to consumer complaints.
“Fair trading officers bought magazines and DVDs in trial purchases at each location.
“The items were then sent to the Commonwealth Classification Board, which found the DVDs classified as X18+ and RC (Refused Classification), while the magazines were classified as Category 2 Restricted.
“Items with these classifications are banned from sale in Queensland.”
Mr Shine said the proprietors of Everything Adult, Elizabeth Street were found guilty of possessing for the purpose of sale a film which had been refused classification and three films which are classified as objectionable in Queensland.
“Items refused classification cannot be sold anywhere in Australia.
“The store was also found to be selling prohibited magazines.
“These retailers acted with complete disregard for the law and failed to co-operate with fair trading officers.”
Mr Shine said the Office of Fair Trading took breaches seriously and would continue to carry out industry spot checks.
“Traders caught selling banned material face hefty fines and even imprisonment,” he said.
Anyone who believes a retailer is selling restricted material should report it to the Office of Fair Trading at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or on 13 13 04.
Media contact: Kate Lennox 3224 7481 or 0421 127 869
Mr Costa Giorge George and Mr Con Ange, proprietors of Everything Adult, Elizabeth Street were each fined $5,000.
Merlaway Pty Ltd, proprietor of Naughty but Nice, Capalaba was fined $2,000 for the sale and display of banned publications and films.
“The court action was a direct result of fair trading compliance activity,” Mr Shine said.
“Office of Fair Trading inspectors found the banned items on sale while responding to consumer complaints.
“Fair trading officers bought magazines and DVDs in trial purchases at each location.
“The items were then sent to the Commonwealth Classification Board, which found the DVDs classified as X18+ and RC (Refused Classification), while the magazines were classified as Category 2 Restricted.
“Items with these classifications are banned from sale in Queensland.”
Mr Shine said the proprietors of Everything Adult, Elizabeth Street were found guilty of possessing for the purpose of sale a film which had been refused classification and three films which are classified as objectionable in Queensland.
“Items refused classification cannot be sold anywhere in Australia.
“The store was also found to be selling prohibited magazines.
“These retailers acted with complete disregard for the law and failed to co-operate with fair trading officers.”
Mr Shine said the Office of Fair Trading took breaches seriously and would continue to carry out industry spot checks.
“Traders caught selling banned material face hefty fines and even imprisonment,” he said.
Anyone who believes a retailer is selling restricted material should report it to the Office of Fair Trading at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or on 13 13 04.
Media contact: Kate Lennox 3224 7481 or 0421 127 869