Aussie Ministers Silent on R18+ Rating

Public opinion on the creation of an 18 and up rating for the Australian classification board is overwhelmingly positive, but with less than a week before the consultation period ends, Attorney Generals at both the state and territory levels are predominantly silent.

Of the two minsters who previously spoke in favor of the movement, Australian Capital Territory AG Simon Corbell and Victoria AG Rob Hulls, only Corbell remains openly supportive. Hulls has since rescinded his support, saying he “not wish to preempt the results of the consultation.”

South Australian AG Michael Atkinson, whose position on the subject has been exceedingly negative, has stated he expects the proposal to be well supported, at minimum, and has even gone so far as to imply he’d be willing to renegotiate his stance on the subject if gamers would engage in civilized discussion. It seems possible that Atkinson is setting himself up to avoid further backlash should the proposal prove to be widely supported.

The discussion paper written to assist the AGs in their decision is reportedly large supportive, but there are doubts to how influential the papers really are in the decision-making process. Gamespot AU has gotten in touch with each of the Attorney Generals, and their responses are below.

 

Victoria Attorney General Rob Hulls

“The government supports the release of a public discussion paper on an R18+ classification of video games. I will not be preempting this consultation by announcing a position on this issue.”

 

ACT Attorney General Simon Corbell

“The ACT Government supports the introduction of an R18+ classification for video games, similar to that of films and television. This position has been conveyed at meetings of commonwealth, state, and territory ministers on a number of occasions. There is general support in Australia for an R18+ classification, and the ACT would encourage anyone with an interest in this issue to have their say by making a submission to the discussion paper. I expect that the support that exists for film and television classifications translates into [support for] classifications for computer and video games. The ACT Government is supportive of introducing an R18+ rating for video and computer games and will take into account the views of consumers through the consultation process.”

 

NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos, via a spokesman

“The NSW Government supports a national approach to classification based on public consultation. The National Classification Scheme is based on the premise that classification decisions should represent the standards of morality, decency, and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults. The position of Censorship Ministers on this issue should therefore be informed by views of the broader community. The consultation process now under way is an important step in achieving this.”

 

Tasmania Attorney General Lara Giddings

“We are currently working through the discussion paper, weighing up the arguments for and against the classification, and intend to lodge a submission before the closing date of 28 February 2010.”

 

Queensland Attorney General Cameron Dick

“The Queensland government believes this issue should be resolved to give certainty to the industry. We are currently finalising our position in relation to the issues raised in the discussion paper.”

 

Western Australia Attorney General Christian Porter

“The Commonwealth Government released the discussion paper on 14 December 2009. Submissions to that paper will be received until 28 February 2010. Ministers will make a decision on this matter after they have had time to consider the discussion paper and any submissions.”

 

Northern Territory Attorney General Delia Lawrie refused to comment.

 

Seems like your typical political backtracking, but it’s still too early to tell whether the movement will be supported, and what action may come of it if it is.