"What began with a simple facebook group with a rapid growth to over 4500 members," explained Francis, "then became a Summit held in parliament house with leaders of 8 key organizations, psychologists and the CEO of the National Outdoor Media Association (OMA) … which has led us to a community-funded billboard of our own and a petition to the senate calling for action."
But, the billboard did not come without a fight and was only approved at the last minute after considerable community pressure and debate. "Some have criticized our campaign on the grounds of censorship," said Francis. "To them I can say that it was me and these other family groups who were being censored."
The tabled recommendations to the senate, derived from the summit held last week, are the core of the senate petition which attracted so many hits in the first hour that it crashed the Wendy Francis website.
"We don't just want to complain about the proven negative influences on our kids that sex-based ads are having," she insists.
"We want to be part of the solution to work toward enabling a culture that is family-friendly with ethical, representative screening to avoid those moments when your 6-year-old asks you what sexpo is or why you have to be sexy to drink Sprite."
Francis points to another current example of offensive billboard placement which promotes 'Two Naughty Bars' on the fence across from Brisbane Boys Grammar school both forcing the boys to view sexualized imagery to and from school daily.
Parents and teachers have expressed disgust at this situation, indicating again that the sexual imagery used is undoubtedly in contravention of prevailing community standards and ask why, when alcohol can't be advertised this close to a school, a sex club can be.
Wendy Francis said a commitment to protecting children from pornography was part of the Family First's party's positive policy to uphold family values and that she and her team were on the case.