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!

Posted in

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".

--
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)

---

http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

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.

---
The Mammon Industry

---
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."

==============

James Fletcher, member of ECA Canada

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.

---
Nido Web Flash Tutorials AS2 and AS3 Tutorials for anyone interested.
Financial Calculator for anyone interested in seeing the basic run

Nido Web Flash Tutorials AS2 and AS3 Tutorials for anyone interested.
How to set Xbox 360 Parental Controls

Shout box

Zen: http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130614/OFFDUTY02/306140030/New-Xbox-sin-against-all-service-members-06/18/2013 - 7:33pm

Zen: Been out for a few days, but has anyone brought up the possible ban on Xbox One on military bases because of security concerns that it could be a listening device by Commanders?06/18/2013 - 7:33pm

Andrew Eisen: Sleaker - Fixed.06/18/2013 - 6:34pm

MechaTama31: CMiner: Another issue is that every camera/webcam combination is going to be pretty different, in terms of the software/hardware exploits available. A homogenous hardware/software combo like a console, in millions of homes, will be a much juicier target.06/18/2013 - 6:31pm

Sleaker: Vox pay what you want link is busted.06/18/2013 - 6:27pm

ZippyDSMlee: Mics have to breath put tape over it.06/18/2013 - 6:25pm

NyuRena: You nailed it James! Yikes..06/18/2013 - 1:56pm

james_fudge: With MS willing to share with the government, an always listening device should give everyone pause.06/18/2013 - 1:37pm

james_fudge: you can't turn off the Microphone on the Kinect and it has to be plugged in. It's not rocket science.06/18/2013 - 1:35pm

E. Zachary Knight: The Humble Bundle Guys just don't like me having money in my pocket do they? https://www.humblebundle.com/06/18/2013 - 1:12pm

E. Zachary Knight: CMiner, I know that my Android camera is off unless I am using an application that turns it on. Same with the microphone.06/18/2013 - 12:38pm

CMiner: Can you turn off the camera on an iPhone? Like, -really- turn it off, not just change a setting that -tells- you the camera is off?06/18/2013 - 12:13pm

james_fudge: when they make it a requirement, yes they are06/18/2013 - 12:10pm

CMiner: I just don't think Microsoft bears any more (or less) responsibility for privacy with its Kinect camera than do the makers of laptops or smartphones with integrated cameras.06/18/2013 - 12:00pm

Imautobot: The ability to operate the console without the camera is key. It's a peripheral, not directly integrated into the console, and yet it behaves as if it is. Thankfully I don't have kids, and won't have an Xbone either.06/18/2013 - 11:49am

CMiner: Oh, I agree that the decision to make the kinect mandatory/always listening is terrible.06/18/2013 - 11:48am

E. Zachary Knight: CMiner, and the easier the provider makes to do such things, the better. The fact that the XBone will not even funtion without it plugged in and turned on in some fashion makes a world of difference from a PC Webcam.06/18/2013 - 11:38am

CMiner: It takes steps on the user's part to ensure 100% privacy (unplugging, uninstalling, putting tape over it, not putting it in the kid's rooms, etc)06/18/2013 - 11:29am

CMiner: My point is that no webcam producing company can guarantee that no one will ever ever ever be able to access video from that webcam without your knowledge and permission06/18/2013 - 11:28am

E. Zachary Knight: Of course at that point, you are still opening up yourself to Windows zero day vulnerabilities and back doors that they are happy to share with the government before Windows users.06/18/2013 - 11:26am

All shouts

<< Return To Top

Forgot your password?
Username :
Password :