Most (99%) movies on this list were mentioned in issues of the Brisbane fanzine Mondo Gore, circa 1984-1992, published by Hank Hankerson. Other entries were included due to internet research. There is no definitive list published online, but I plan to trawl the QLD government gazettes for more information.
The Queensland Film Board of Review banned 174 movies. Many were softcore porn movies deemed to be too explict for Queensland sensibilities. It comes as no suprise that this fucked-up situation was the result of a conservative state government being in power for 30 years. Power corrupts, people. The Board's welcome demise happened when the National party government were voted out and replaced by the left-leaning Labor party, led by Wayne…
Most (99%) movies on this list were mentioned in issues of the Brisbane fanzine Mondo Gore, circa 1984-1992, published by Hank Hankerson. Other entries were included due to internet research. There is no definitive list published online, but I plan to trawl the QLD government gazettes for more information.
The Queensland Film Board of Review banned 174 movies. Many were softcore porn movies deemed to be too explict for Queensland sensibilities. It comes as no suprise that this fucked-up situation was the result of a conservative state government being in power for 30 years. Power corrupts, people. The Board's welcome demise happened when the National party government were voted out and replaced by the left-leaning Labor party, led by Wayne Goss (aka "Gossy") in 1989.
Note that this committee banned movies passed by the Australian censors, the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC, now called the Classification Board), which was already prone to making bullshit political judgements.
Not surprisingly, Aussie VHS distributors added "Banned in Queensland!" labels on a few of these titles to boost interest among video store punters, however prurient. Luckily for us Queenslanders, some video shoppes were national franchise outlets, and so they stocked banned in QLD titles. I never heard of any VHS emporium being prosecuted for doing so. My favourite was the Valley Video Barn on Brunswick Street. The owner told me that he had no reservations about hiring out banned titles, which he sourced from Sydney.
Also banned: Brothers in Arms (1985), Do the Right Thing (1986), a NSW safe sex educational video.
Australian censorship news on Facebook (my page)...
www.facebook.com/MediaCensorshipInAustralia
Australian censorship history...
www.refused-classification.com
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11 Jul 2023: Added Houseboat Horror.
1 Apr 2023: April Fools Day and Friday the 13th II are on the list, but I can't remember why they were added. Today, both seem to be unlikely bans and therefore they might be removed without confirmation.
7 Feb 2019: Added Bloodlust (1992).
14 Sep 2017: Added Night Screams (1987).
20 Apr 2016: Added The Majorettes, released in Australia as One by One on Taft Hardie VHS.
16 Mar 2016: Savage Dawn and Language of Love (1969) are being checked.
