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Anime Figurines Branded a "Psychological Hazard" by Australian Government Agency
By Yung Namahage โ€ข 3 years ago
โ€ข  5685  โ€ข   1 โ€ข 25


The persecution of all things lewd in the land down under continues. This time, though, it's a government official being shamed for his anime fandom.


Gerard Boyce (above), the deputy president of the Fair Work Comission, is semi-infamous for the "scantily clad" figurines on display in his office. A few that have been specifically mentioned include Joker & Harley Quinn in their Suicide Squad incarnations, Vampirella, and Major from Ghost in the Shell, plus others that haven't yet been identified but have been described as "anime". At one point he briefly had a lifesize cutout of former president Donald Trump and a bunch of fake cameras, which were shortly removed.


Last year he was ordered to remove one such unspecified figure after a coworker, who had only seen a picture of the figurines, issued a complaint. Despite being branded unprofessional and sexist, the verdict was ultimately that if the figurines are suitable for display in stores, Boyce should be allowed to display them in his office.


More recently, the government branch for work, health and safety known as Comcare commented on his figurine hobby. โ€œWe did not identify any contraventions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 but considered the display of the figurines to be a psychological hazard,โ€ said a spokesperson for Comcare.


Boyce is in the public eye once more following an incident in December, where he allegedly set off some firecrackers at a work event without a proper license; an act that is illegal in Australia. He is currently under investigation by Comcare and New South Wales Police, which explains why his waifu cabinet is under scrutiny again over a year since it was last in the news. 


Comcare have recommended the FWC undergo training on โ€œunacceptable conduct and sexual harassment policies, and available supports," though it's not clear if this is directly tied to the figurine case. Boyce is unable to comment on the situation himself due to his position.


So, what do you guys think? Should a government official be allowed to display his waifu figurines, or are they too too unprofessional to show off in a workplace? Let us know below!



Anon - Mindless 3 years ago
As an Aussie, I would like to assure the world we are much more ashamed of our politicians than you could fathom.
jupmod 3 years ago (edited 3 years ago)
I find it silly these politicians think these figurines are a 'psychological hazard' yet Australian beaches no doubt have women in sexy bikinis, etc. Do these guys have nothing better to do than to demonize things that pose no harm to anyone? (roll eyes)
Anon - Reality 3 years ago
Australia is trash. >->
MrObvious 3 years ago
In a way it can seem unprofessional but no need to shame much less ban. As I mentioned in an earlier article about Australia's Anime debacle: The more they ban the more the outback black market for them will increase.
Hectotane 3 years ago
You gotta have some form of professionalism, though.

Like; don't watch anime while you're on the job.
camacaze199 3 years ago
What is this a fuckin SCP classification?
tanakaba 3 years ago (edited 3 years ago)
It takes a brave man to display anime figurines at work. That said, I knew a guy that got fired for sharing an email with a photo of his family dressed up for Halloween because his daughter was supposedly in a too revealing witch outfit (she was over 18), so I don't think this is specifically an anime figurine problem. Still stupid though.
Anon - anon 3 years ago
Okay, can someone explain just how bad Australia is with this? Like i have Colorful Harvest, Omamori Himari, To Love Ru, Spice and Wolf(manga), DearS, Rosario Vampire, and Black Cat. Which one of these would i not have if i was there. What other series would i be without, or could be with and why. Such as is Yuri okay there?
Noah_Webster 3 years ago
This is an instance in which the public mockery and office stigma is punishment enough, in my opinion. If Australia was truly concerned about the "psychological damage" his figurines they wouldn't have made this public, as to avoid pictures of them circulating in the press.

To answer the question, I think having whatever you want that isn't objectively obscene in your private office room is fine.
7thManiac 3 years ago (edited 3 years ago)
Labelling them a psychological hazard is a bit much, but struck me as very Australian (no offense to people of Australia, I mean the government). It strikes me as unprofessional, tho. I have a lot of figures, from waifus to cool guys to gundams. I have no issue showing them off. I wouldn't bring them to work though. Time and place for everything, plus I'd be afraid of damage.