Atkinson Steps Down as South Australia’s Attorney-General

Michael Atkinson, the man who has single handedly kept Australian gamers from enjoying an Adults Only game rating has stepped down from his office of Attorney-General of South Australia this morning, citing personal and political reasons.

“[Johnno, Atkinson's son] was supposed to play his first game last night at 7pm and like so many times in my time in Parliament I wasn’t there,” said Atkinson. “I am pretty disappointed about that. So I resolved that every time Johnno walks on the pitch this year his dad is going to be there even if it embarrasses the hell out of him.”

Atkinson also mentioned that he wanted to see others have a chance to make a change in Australian politics.

“I think there ought to be renewal in the ministry. I think there are talented people on the Labor backbench who deserve a go.

He also stated that he will remain as part of parliament until 2014, when his tenure ends, but that he will serve as a back-bencher.

This is good news for gamers, both in Australia and elsewhere. Australia’s view of games being an inferior medium has carried over to other parts of the world, and Atkinson was the lone party responsible for this. Australia requires unanimous votes from the various Attorney-Generals to pass any resolution, and Atkinson was, time and again, the only AG note voting in favor of an R18+ category.