Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study Will Go Forward

November 7, 2008 -

While Australia's grownup gamer population has been clamoring for an R18+ rating that would avert the video game censorship which has plagued the country in recent years, South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson (left) has been blocking consideration of such a change.

Something, apparently, has changed Atkinson's mind.

GameSpot Australia reports that a discussion paper as well as public commentary on the R18+ are back on the table. According to Atkinson, a compromise was reached on the content of the discussion paper:

I believe the draft discussion paper did not adequately represent both sides of the argument. I voiced my concerns to other Attorneys-General and we reached agreement that some minor changes will be made to the discussion paper.

I am not opposed to a public debate on the merits of introducing a R18+ classification for electronic games--in fact, I welcome it. But it’s unhelpful to commence that debate with what I believe is a biased discussion paper. There is little point in seeking public comment on an unfirm footing that neglects one side of the argument. I look forward to contributing to the development of a fairer discussion paper.

The Age has more.

Thanks to: GP reader Cheater87 for the link!

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Comments

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by DexX on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 20:00.

Biased = doesn't include my propaganda talking points. No doubt he's annoyed because they left out the "facts" about video games making five year olds kill protitutes and cannibalise their corpses.

He's a typical anti-democratic hypocrite - only wants one side of the argument represented. Anything that makes the opposition look worthy is just "bias".

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http://blogs.theage.com.au/screenplay/

-- http://blogs.theage.com.au/screenplay/

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by lumi on Sat, 11/08/2008 - 17:09.

Good news, for sure. Best of luck with the debate, Aussies!

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by TBoneTony on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 20:15.

Win or lose, to finally have a real serious debate with both sides of the bedate hopefully on national TV will raise the eyebrows of the average Australian to think twice about how Free Australia really is compared to the rest of the Democracy world.

It is all fine to go down the street and do what you want without hurting anyone, but when it comes to Videogames we gamers are still seen as children because that is what some of the politicians think of us,

Hope this is a start of things changing in Australia

TBoneTony

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 10:56.

Wow someone is learning a dictatorship dose not work well in a democracy, unless you are the "leaders" of said democracy ....

I is fuzzy brained mew =^^=
http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
(in need of a bad overhaul)

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Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by ConnorM5 on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:53.

I think this could possibly be the only time special interest lobbyists have done anything that wasnt fail.

******************** "Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and freedom

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by SimonBob on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:44.

Heh, I wonder which side of the argument he thought was neglected? Not that I blame him for it -- if they put up a discussion sheet which essentially said "games are bad" then we'd all be hollering about it for the rest of the day. Gotta extend that consideration to both sides of the table.

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The Mammon Industry

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Fangamer

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by Cheater87 on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:30.

I hope they allow it. But on the other hand what if its treated the same as the AO rating in America??? 0_0 What a twist!!!!

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by magic_taco on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:38.

I dont think humor and goveronment come with an age restriction.

____________________________________________

Hero,Ladiesman,Ninja

Magic Taco

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by HarmlessBunny on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:28.

The attorney general is now realizing all the backlash he would be getting, and is bending to the people

"People should not fear their governments. Rather governments should fear their people."

Re: Australian Attorney General Backs Off... R18+ Rating Study

Submitted by DeepThorn on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:06.

All the government lackeys always have bias papers, why not them?

All in all, win.

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Technogeek: If the developer were male there wouldn't have been a "conversation" in the first place.10/19/2014 - 2:27am

Monte: trolls are just at their absolute worst when it comes to women and feminist. You could bet good money that if the developer were male the trolls would be silent and the conversation would actually focus on the journalism.10/18/2014 - 9:18pm

Monte: Papa: Not the first time we've had a journalism scandals before, but the harassment never got close to this level; the difference with this scandal is that feminists are involved. Without the feminist angle, their would be A LOT less harrassment10/18/2014 - 9:15pm

Papa Midnight: Monte: That's honestly rather short-sighted. As has been proven with other persons who have been targeted, if it wasn't Quinn, it would be someone else.10/18/2014 - 6:26pm

Avalongod: I think that's part of what gives an esoteric news story like this real life...it taps into a larger narrative about misogyny in society outside of games.10/18/2014 - 3:29pm

Avalongod: @Monte, well the trolls made death threats that came to police (and media attention). I think this is tapping into a larger issue outside of games about how women are treated in society (like all the "real rape" stuff during the last election)10/18/2014 - 3:28pm

Wonderkarp: Zippy : Havent tried the PS4 controller. might later.10/18/2014 - 2:37pm

Monte: Seirously, If Quinn was not involved and GG was instead about something like the Mordor Marketing contracts, the trolling would have never grown so vile and disgusting. There have been plenty of movements in the past that never sufferred from behavior..10/18/2014 - 1:57pm

Monte: We have seen scandel's before but the trolling has never been as vile as what we see with GG. Trolls usually have such a tiny voice you can barely notice them, but its like moths to a flame whenever femistist are involved.10/18/2014 - 1:53pm

ZippyDSMlee: Wonderkarp: You might be able to if you had a PS4 controller.10/18/2014 - 1:00pm

MaskedPixelante: http://store.steampowered.com/app/327940/ Night Dive starts charging for freeware.10/18/2014 - 12:21pm

Matthew Wilson: the sad thing is there are trolls on both sides of this. people need to stop acting like their side is so pure.10/18/2014 - 12:19pm

MechaTama31: So, only speak out on a scandal that hasn't attracted trolls? I wouldn't hold my breath...10/18/2014 - 10:49am

Monte: I feel like GG just needs to die. The movement is FAR to tainted by hatred and BS for it to be useful for any conversation. Let GG die, and then rally behind the NEXT gaming journalism scandal, and start the conversation fresh.10/18/2014 - 10:33am

quiknkold: and we dont have a Dovakin to call a cease fire10/17/2014 - 7:37pm

quiknkold: The whole thing is Futile. Both sides are so buried deep in their trenchs that there isnt a conversation. Its just Finger Pointing, Name Calling, Doxxing, Threats. there needs to be a serious conversation, and GG isnt it.10/17/2014 - 7:37pm

quiknkold: I thought it was a good article. Jeff is right. I feel like GamerGate did destroy its message. I am for Ethics in game journalism, but man. so much hate. and its on both sides. I've seen some awful stuff spewed on twitter. Its a big reason why I exited..10/17/2014 - 7:34pm

Matthew Wilson: while he focused on gg, he did call out both sides crap.10/17/2014 - 7:18pm

Papa Midnight: That was a damn good read offered by Jeff Gertsmann.10/17/2014 - 7:17pm

Matthew Wilson: http://www.giantbomb.com/articles/letter-from-the-editor-10-17-2014/1100-5049/ deferentially a nice write up.10/17/2014 - 6:44pm

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