I recently bought a “Value Pack” at my local adult bookstotre in the US. One of the magazines was an issue of the Australian edition of Hustler. Given that Hustler is the raunchiest of American magazines, I was surprised to find that the Australian version is tamer than Playboy. Models are modestly posed, and advertisments sometimes cover up the “good” parts. So what’s up Down Under? Are the porn laws written by John Ashcroft?
Technically, the production of any pornographic material in Australia can only happen in one State (ACT, i.e. Canberra). If it’s produced in any other State it is technically an illegal act. However, that’s not enforced except as a further charge they can bring against someone who is really making some evil stuff.
Otherwise, the laws here governing porn seem to be pretty darn liberal. There’s very little that’s not allowed to be seen between the pages of a magazine or within a video tape.
So I dunno what’s up with your copy of Aussie Hustler.
I’m not sure this is accurate. As far as I am aware, production is not illegal, but sale of hardcore is, outside of Canberra.
Hardcore is available in all states at shady adult bookstores, and by mail order from Canberra. But “respectable” newsagents stock only what is legal, which is very very soft, and so publishers make two versions of their magazines. A soft version for the legal state market, and a hard version for “Canberra” (which is of course really for mail order from Canberra to the rest of the country, or for illegal state shops). The magazine Mikargo saw would be the former version.
The “system” is beloved of politicians because they don’t upset the porn buying public by actually doing anything effective to prevent the sale of hardcore, but at the same time they keep the anti-porn laws on the books (and raid an adult bookstore every now and again) to keep the wowsers happy.
Of course, if you are the type of person who finds hypocrisy bothersome, you are sadly out of luck.