Aussie AG halts R18+ rating for games indefinitely

by Alexander Sliwinski on Oct 29th 2008 8:45PM

The introduction of an R18+ rating for games in Australia has been indefinitely delayed due to a political maneuver by South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson. The Age reports that Atkinson has refused to allow a report commissioned by the "censorship ministers" weighing the "pros and cons" of an R18+ rating for games to become public, effectively shelving any discussion on the matter.

Atkinson is quoted as saying to Australia's parliament earlier this year that he's opposed to the introduction of an R18+ rating because, despite it denying adults choice, it was necessary to protect children from "potentially harmful material." Australia's OFLC has effectively "banned" or edited several games this year due to its classification system revolving around 15-year-olds as a bellwether.

Source

Tags: australia, oflc, the-age

Reader Comments (60)

high fives to the Batman forever reference.

but only the reference...not the movie, never the movie.
*tear

They (filmmakers and game developers) should just stop submitting media for certification in Australia. Cut the chain of supply. Let the users import at their own expense.

Then, when every one of the people working in film and game classification has lost their purpose and subsequently their jobs, they may be more willing to discuss the matter as though they've joined us in this millenium.

You're assuming that they'll be fired if they have nothing to do. It's government we're talking about here, it will probably just incentivise them to keep the status quo here so they don't have to do any work.

Wow, I never thought I'd equate Australia with China, but that internet filter sounds an awful lot like the Great Firewall.

Don't worry Australia, you'll get your R18+ classification when our generation gets into power.

This is his email address
attorney-general@agd.sa.gov.au

(and for all those in SA)

His postal address

GPO Box 464
ADELAIDE SA 5001

Let the inbox rape begin!

What I don't understand is, for a country that seems so liberal and is reknowned for it's acceptance how it can be so puritanical and backards at the same time. I mean obviously everyone in Australia is not open and liberal just like everyone isn't conservative or backward thinking but it seems like there's an odd dichotomy.