R18+ rating gathers Federal Government support

PALGN News | So what now?

In the wake of senator Kate Lundy's support for an R18+ rating, the Federal Government has announced that it wishes to pursue the implementation of a new video game rating system for Australia.

Several news websites have reported that Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor is supportive of the move, and wishes to make a push for a new rating at the next Standing Committee of Attorney's General on December 10.

In discussing his stance, Mr O'Connor has indicated that such a measure would prevent many games which should be classified as R18+ slipping under the radar as an MA15+ title.

"Children and teenagers shouldn't be exposed to the gratuitous sex, violence and adult themes that are contained in some computer games," he said in a statement.

"If the new category is introduced it could result in computer games that are currently classified as MA 15+ being reclassified R 18 +, providing a new level of protection."

Such support does not guarantee that a new rating system will be introduced following the next SCAG meeting, as there must be unanimous agreement amongst the State Attorneys-General. Additionally, Mr O'Connor has also stated that the new rating won't lead to bans on previous games being overturned, such as the unedited version of Left 4 Dead 2. However, O'Connor has also stated that he wishes for adults to be able to make up their own minds on the games they play, so long as they conform with legal boundaries.

“We need a classification system that protects young minds from any possible adverse affect, while also ensuring that adults are free to make their own decisions about what they play, within the bounds of the law.”

No matter what happens after the next SCAG meeting, PALGN will keep you informed on any further developments in the R18+ issue.

Related Content

EveryonePlays: Sample Petitions Mailed to SA Attorney-General – Part 4
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R18+ public consultation status report released
09 May, 2010 But has a decision been made?

EveryonePlays: Sample Petitions Mailed to Attorneys-General – Part 2
03 May, 2010 More responses from the Attorneys-General.

14 Comments

defcon420

2 years ago

yay!

drinniol

2 years ago

Hmm. He wants to reclassify games?

mikey74

2 years ago

dont get too excited.. WA look like they will block it now!

fupoisme

2 years ago

Wonderful news... as long as it can actually get through. If one of the State Attorney-Generals does indeed vote negatively then it will probably be a while before the issue is reconsidered. Let's hope we can finally get past this embarrassingly draconic hurdle and catch up with the rest of the world.

evil_kenshin

2 years ago

an unfortunate problem seems to be that this is only aiming at increasing the rating of existing games.

So its possible this move will still result in games getting censored or banned just like before it doesn't look like the government has fully listened

Especially when o'connor says existing games that have been RC'ed won't be allowed to be unbanned/put into an R18+ category.

RhysDeschain

2 years ago

I would say that any future games that would have been banned under the current ratings system - provided they weren't too depraved - will be given an R18+ rating if they do bring it in... I never really expected them to reclassify old games that had been banned/censored.

pom013

2 years ago

evil_kenshin wrote

Especially when o'connor says existing games that have been RC'ed won't be allowed to be unbanned/put into an R18+ category.

For some reason, this misconception has sprouted everywhere across every outlet where the story has been run. All O'Connor has said is that games previously refused classification won't automatically be reclassified and given an R18 rating as they plan to do for many MA15 games. If the publisher wants to resubmit the game for classification under the new system then there will be nothing stopping them. Though, considering the R18+ classification is still a pipe dream I'm sure it will be at least 12-18 months before the bureaucracy draws up a plan, amends the required legislation and eventually implements the new classification into the system, who is really going to care about L4D2 that far into the future.

waz79

2 years ago

@evil_kenshin, well atleast its mostly drug/sex issues that lead to a refused classification anyway, and after this law passes, attitudes will hopefully change.

Shadow Wave

2 years ago

Ungh if they reclassify games, that means ALL the pre-owned games out there are going to have EVEN MORE stickers slapped onto them. There will be R18+ stickers on the case, manuals, disc.. ungh!

Still good news tho! lol

fupoisme

2 years ago

This was on the front page of the Advertiser today in South Australia. At the very least it will increase public awareness of the issue.

Benza

2 years ago

so if we get an R18 classification are we going to then campaign to get lower fees for classification submissions or an optional classification scheme?

It seems to me like R18 is too little too late. By the time we get an R18 rating we\re going to be inundated with user created content that is of a volume so great and made by regular people that don't have 2 grand to submit it to the OFLC. I mean we're already blocked from having stuff like the indie game network due to classification costs. If they bring in classification systems for iphone games etc then we're probably going to lose them as well.

Our classification system needs a complete overhaul, the R18 rating is just a band aid solution IMO.

Still some progress is better then none I guess.

pom013

2 years ago

Well both sides of politics have now said that our classification system is broken so maybe if the SCAG approve an R18+ rating for games the end result will be a complete overhaul of the classification system. It would be the most logical course of action but then politics isn't always logical.