Federal Shadow Attorney-General George Brandis says "inconsistencies" in current classification system need to be addressed.
With the next Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) meeting set for next Friday, December 10, it seems more Australian politicians are eager to make their stance heard regarding an adult classification for games. Last week, Labor ACT Senator Kate Lundy delivered a speech to the Senate on the benefits of an adult classification for games. This week, the other side of politics has popped up, with the Federal Opposition's Shadow Attorney-General George Brandis stepping up to the plate, voicing his sympathy towards the R18+ cause and his concern for Australia's current classification laws.
"The Coalition recognises there are inconsistencies in the current classification system that need to be addressed," Brandis told GameSpot AU. "We are looking closely at a number of proposals as to how the Australian classification system can be more effective across all types of media, including games and software."
When asked if the Coalition would consider supporting a private member's bill on the topic of R18+ for games, as discussed by Greens Senator Scott Ludlam last month, Brandis deferred to the Shadow Cabinet.
"The Coalition's response to specific legislation that may be introduced into the Parliament would be a matter for the Shadow Cabinet."
Other attorneys-general continue to remain tight-lipped about the issue of R18+ for games. In February this year GameSpot AU surveyed all state and territory attorneys-general, finding that only the Australian Capital Territory's AG was willing to admit public support for R18+; the other ministers either stated no position or declined to comment.
Federal Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor will present the R18+ for games topic to censorship ministers at SCAG next Friday. Although never stating a defined position on the issue, O'Connor did tell GameSpot AU that he is keen to make progress.
For more on the issue, visit GameSpot AU's previous coverage.
i'm glad the wheels are finally turning and things may change soon. it's great that no one has come out and said that all this is going to do is place bad games in the hands of children. even if it did, it is the parents decision, not the governments.
what i don't understand is that they allow R18+ & X-rated movies but wont allow a R18+ game in our country...wtf?
Well, until it's done we'll keep playing "UK 18" rating games on "MA 15+" tags or the game got banned...
Labor, Liberal, Progressive, Conservative, whatever, I don't give a crap. All I care is that my politicans are STATESMEN, not the useless clusterfluff of pointless back-and-forth arguing that amounts to nothing and makes even the most menial policies take forever to get through. A REAL politician would've looked at the facts, found out that that the vast majority of Australians want an R18+ rating and that it's dracinion not to have one, and voted to have one decades ago. Instead we're stuck with this useless bs'ing about "surveys" and "making sure we know what the Australian people want" and all the other dodging-of-questions that plague modern politics. Bah.
The one from last week seemed a lot more genuine and came across as if she really know what she was talking about and arguing for. This guy sounds like he just wants votes before the rest of his Mr. Burns style hair fades away. Booo!
It's bull**** all of it, they're just playing mind games with us gamers all over again. If anything good comes of this I would be very surprised, As would a lot of other gamers out there i'm sure.
The SHADOW Cabinet!! Dum Dum DUM!!!! Really sounds dramatic to me, but then again I'm American; I'm sure it makes sense for an Aussie.
@shani_boy101 - that's the issue though - it isn't a matter for parliament. Classification issues are the Attorneys-General ambit and only SCAG acting together can change our classifications system. Really it does all come down to the body that is meeting on December 10th. Here's hoping that none of those silent AGs were actually against it and hiding behind Atkinson while he was in the limelight.
It's taking them long enough to cotton onto the fact that the vast majority of people informed on the issue support this.
Ha!, well thats a joke if ive ever heard one.. the coalitition are trying to minimise exposure of r18 films how could they possibly allow r18 games. Does anyone remember the proposal the coalition made to censor the covers of r18 films and mark them with just brown boxes... this is just a load of bull crap. you can not trust them. I really don't think they had a change of heart that quickly.
I'm happy to have an R18 for games. I don't think it's the most important issue for Australian gamers - but an overhaul of the archaic classification laws is well overdue.
Love how all the political parties now jump on board because of the GAME petition, just doing this now for vote grabbing. Get on with it, should have been done 10 years ago.
Well there's one for the books. The Coalition government sure have some heart in the right place. Labor government is doing the right thing but rightly does take a lot of paperwork and a lot of talk before the R18+ could pass. I already mention if all else fails, at least the Greens might step in. I'm not a politician to state for the record but I do wish Labor would just deliver policies more quicker than more sluggishly until they get the right answer.
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