❓ Hon Nick Goiran questions the Minister for Culture and the Arts regarding the book 'Welcome to Sex' at Albany Public Library, focusing on its content and accessibility to minors. The Minister defends the book as an educational resource and reaffirms the library's commitment to free access to information.
AnsweredQoN 1295Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ALBANY PUBLIC LIBRARY
1295. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Culture and the Arts:
I refer to the minister's
response to the member for Albany's grievance on 19 September 2024 on
books that Keeping Children Safe Albany want removed from or restricted at
public libraries, in which the minister said —
�
everyone should have the same opportunity to seek, receive, and impart
information, no matter their age �
He also implied his commitment to
buy new replacement books for Albany Public Library.
(1) Is the
minister aware that the book Welcome to Sex contains graphic
descriptions of various sexual activities, as well as advice on how to ''send
nudes''?
(2) Is the
minister aware that sexting is a crime in our state?
(3) Is the
minister aware that Legal Aid WA advise that ''If you are under the age
of 18, it is also against the law to take, keep or send a sexualised image of
yourself �''?
(4) Is it the
minister's intention to give the library a new copy of this book?
1295. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Culture and the Arts:
I refer to the minister's
response to the member for Albany's grievance on 19 September 2024 on
books that Keeping Children Safe Albany want removed from or restricted at
public libraries, in which the minister said —
�
everyone should have the same opportunity to seek, receive, and impart
information, no matter their age �
He also implied his commitment to
buy new replacement books for Albany Public Library.
(1) Is the
minister aware that the book Welcome to Sex contains graphic
descriptions of various sexual activities, as well as advice on how to ''send
nudes''?
(2) Is the
minister aware that sexting is a crime in our state?
(3) Is the
minister aware that Legal Aid WA advise that ''If you are under the age
of 18, it is also against the law to take, keep or send a sexualised image of
yourself �''?
(4) Is it the
minister's intention to give the library a new copy of this book?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) The
book Welcome to Sex by Dr Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes is an educational
resource for older children. It was shortlisted for a 2024 Prime Minister's
Literary Award in the young adult category and is available for purchase in bookshops.
It has been published with the intent to educate and inform young people and
covers many important subjects, including consent and coercive behaviours.
There is nothing in the book that could not be found on the internet, where it
is much less likely to be presented in an educational manner. Public libraries
are committed to free and open access to ideas and knowledge. This is a core
value of our libraries and a principle of the State and Local Government
Agreement for the Provision of Public Library Services in Western Australia.
Library staff should be free to go to work and perform their duties without fear of harassment or attack from people
with political or ideological agendas .
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) The
book Welcome to Sex by Dr Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes is an educational
resource for older children. It was shortlisted for a 2024 Prime Minister's
Literary Award in the young adult category and is available for purchase in bookshops.
It has been published with the intent to educate and inform young people and
covers many important subjects, including consent and coercive behaviours.
There is nothing in the book that could not be found on the internet, where it
is much less likely to be presented in an educational manner. Public libraries
are committed to free and open access to ideas and knowledge. This is a core
value of our libraries and a principle of the State and Local Government
Agreement for the Provision of Public Library Services in Western Australia.
Library staff should be free to go to work and perform their duties without fear of harassment or attack from people
with political or ideological agendas .
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