Essential linkage: The introduction of an R18+ rating for video games this Friday is looking increasingly unlikely. Boo!
Bad news, everybody! While things were looking very positive there for a while, Gamespot reported last night that NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith will likely not be voting on an R18+ rating at the Standing Committee of Attorneys General meeting this Friday. Smith told Gamespot that he wanted to see the results of the Australian Law Reform Commission classification review – and that’s not due for completion until early next year.
Unfortunately, if he holds that position at Friday's meeting, it means a decision will be delayed yet again, as a change to the classification laws requires all states, territories and federal governments to agree unanimously on its introduction.
Meanwhile, the Australian is reporting that South Australia’s Attorney General, John Rau has announced that SA plans to abolish their MA 15+ rating no matter what happens at the meeting, and reclassify all MA15+ games as R18+. Whether that’s actually possible, and what it means, is still to be seen. (Warning: the linked article contains non-ironic use of the word ‘irregardless’.)
We'll keep you posted...
Issue: 137 | June, 2012