SA Attorney-General to oppose R18+ classification

PALGN News | Give up hope.

A few days ago we reported that the Federal government would be once again discussing the issue of an R18+ rating for games in Australia.

In order for the rating legislation to change, the attorneys-general of each state must agree on the issue. In 2002, a proposal to introduce an R18+ rating was blocked because South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson did not support the changes.

Today a spokesperson for Michael Atkinson has told news.com.au that the Attorney-General will oppose the R18+ Rating for games, effectively putting down any hope of an R18+ rating being implemented for games in the near future.

"The Attorney-General remains very firmly opposed to introducing an R rating for computer games in Australia," the spokesperson said. Minister Atkinson would not consider an 18+ rating even if there were measures to protect children from being exposed to adult content, the spokesperson said.

"He doubts whether any safeguards could be put in place to deter young people, who after all [are] the most computer literate and savvy in our society, from being able to access material."

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70 Comments

Jellyman

4 years ago

Isn't it a tad hard to pirate console games these days though? Therefore the reason that the Attorney-General states is only valid with computers?

admeister

4 years ago

One more reason to hate the guy.

kostaxtreme

4 years ago

Orright it seems the R rating has been denied again. But now we want explanations and answers as to why Australia is one of few if any 1st world countries that does not employ the R rating for games.
We want answers, we deserve answers.
This power-trip crap has to stop, this guy needs to provide us legit reasons as to why he opposes the legislation.

DancesInUnderwear

4 years ago

admeister wrote

One more reason to hate the guy.

and what would the others be?

Imperceptible

4 years ago

Quote

"He doubts whether any safeguards could be put in place to deter young people, who after all [are] the most computer literate and savvy in our society, from being able to access material."

Seems to me, he is saying he knows we will just download the games, so instead of at least allowing people to legally own a copy, we should just keep on pirating. Silly people...

Anthrox

4 years ago

Hon. Michael Atkinson
Member for Croydon

Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Minister for Multicultural Affairs

Office:
488 Port Rd, Welland SA 5077
Tel: 8346 2462
Email: croydon@parliament.sa.gov.au

contact, email, snailmail get our voice heard!!
we will have R18 ratings in Australia!!

Gamesta

4 years ago

And I didn't think I could ever hate someone more than Jack Thompson.

bradc1988

4 years ago

It's not really hate, just complete frustration at their ignorance.

I sent an email to that address but unless we are in numbers and really get our points across nothing will change.

Also sending something like "omg wtf r18+ u ***" won't help.

Capoeira

4 years ago

Shun the nonbeliever. Shhhhuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnn.

I feel slightly better now.

Darkwing Sykeduk

4 years ago

The guys just trying to do what he thinks is right. If anything he's merely uneducated on the subject.

Bloody Tears

4 years ago

This speaks volumes not just about him, but the Australian government as a whole. I’m ashamed to be an Aussie gamer.

Darkwing Sykeduk wrote

The guys just trying to do what he thinks is right. If anything he's merely uneducated on the subject.

And that makes it okay? We can’t afford to have uneducated people making decisions for us.

bradc1988 wrote

Also sending something like "omg wtf r18+ u ***" won't help.

You’re giving them too much credit.

DancesInUnderwear wrote

admeister wrote

One more reason to hate the guy.

and what would the others be?

He’s in government

Fetidchimp

4 years ago

i think he wants to have direct contact with me after my email to him, its not over yet!!

a copy of which is here http://palgn.com.au/viewtopic.php?p=363821#363821

Itachi

4 years ago

Big Surprise here, there is always one **** in the group. FFS i was getting so excited that finally i wouldn't have to import games that have got banned here

renegadesx

4 years ago

Atkinson and Thompson sitting in a tree... F - * -* -K -I -N -G

It's official I really REALLY hate this guy

PLAN B: Let's just sell South Australia to the highest bidder

Quote

F**ktard Michael Atkinson
Member for Jack Thompsonville

Attorney-General
Minister for Opression
Minister for Conservative Affairs

Fixed

Fetidchimp

4 years ago

if anyone else gets a reply from his office, let me know, we need to coordinate any verbal fisticuffs that he may want to engage in.

Marka

4 years ago

"Minister Atkinson would not consider an 18+ rating even if there were measures to protect children from being exposed to adult content, the spokesperson said."

How is this different from R18+ Rated movies. Childeren would gain exposure to them the same way they would gain exposure to an R18+ rated game. So why should the rules be different for games even though the situation is the same? Video game hater maybe?

renegadesx

4 years ago

Marka wrote

Simple, he doesn't get his information from surveys or facts or data. He gets them from Fox News

coco_bagel

4 years ago

If this is a democracy how come this one guy has so much power and authority on the situation?

This guy sounds like he thinks it's the 80's and video games are for small children

Itachi

4 years ago

All people who want a R+ for games needs to go here and get his email and just send him one: http://palgn.com.au/viewtopic.php?p=363821#363821

Even i did it and i am so **** at english. If we get enough people sending him emails he might come to relise it. People don't swear at him or anything just be nice

rodvcpetrie

4 years ago

I'm working on an email right now. It's going to be a detailed message but I'm not going to be abusive. Maybe try to use some reverse psychology as well. It is going to be regarding many other related issues so that things can be put into context.

It may take a while for me to compose this message but as a gamer I am committed to seeing an R18+ Classification introduced. I think we all need to send an email.

I think we need to inform Michael Atkinson and understand that his perspective is different to ours, but to give him an idea of what our perpsective is as well.

Itachi

4 years ago

Damn it rodvcpetrie couldn't have said it better myself. i would love to see your email when it's finished

Marka

4 years ago

He doubts whether any safeguards could be put in place to deter young people, who after all [are] the most computer literate and savvy in our society, from being able to access material."

Simple. R18+ games should be placed in a locked glass cabinet. ID must be provided at time of purchase and fines should apply to anyone selling/prodviding them to somone under 18.

cdkane

4 years ago

He is just a narrow minded old man who does not care to research the subject or even use common sense to make an educated decision on the matter.

Does he think that every other state is wrong in their opinion?

At least when you buy a game from a shop there is a safeguard (person serving you) to make the decision weather you are old enough to be exposed to the content.

"Minister Atkinson would not consider an 18+ rating even if there were measures to protect children from being exposed to adult content, the spokesperson said."

Not introducing an R+ rating exposes younger people to content that they should not be exposed to. Introducing the rating IS the measure to prevent this.

Basically his narrow minded view is detrimental to his cause.

Fetidchimp

4 years ago

Quote

Basically his narrow minded view is detrimental to his cause.

you mean detrimental to our cause....

I think they have so much clout due to the fact that the QLD censorship board was proven to be in fact illegal under constitutional law (whereby the states cannot have a seperate board under the national one) so i think they have this power in some sort of misguided attempt to appease states that would otherwise have their own board eg: QLD, SA (although QLD chilled right out after they were called out on their board)

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