Rudd Govt: 'No view yet on R18+'

James Riley
Tuesday, 15 December 2009 08:07

IT Policy - Regulation

The Rudd Government has not yet formed a view on whether the games classification regime should be reformed to include an R18+ ‘adult’ rating and already concedes there is little it can do without the cooperation of all states and territories.

Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor says he regularly receives representations from both the industry and from gamers seeking an R18+ rating – as well as from people opposed.

The Attorney-General's department yesterday released a discussion paper on the issue, with Mr O’Connor urging people to lodge their views with the AG’s department by the end of February.

"We are releasing a discussion paper rather than proposing a change so we have an opportunity to gauge all community views on the subject," the Minister said

"I urge everyone with an interest in this issue to contribute to the discussion so the Government can ensure all community views are considered," Mr O'Connor said.

The National Classification Scheme that covers films, games and some publications is a cooperative arrangement between the Commonwealth, and the states and territories. Changes require an agreement of all members of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General.

With South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson having already committed to opposing any move toward an R18+ classification as an election issue in the lead up to the state poll next March, any changes to current arrangements may be difficult.

Although the controversial issue has been considered at committee level several times, the public consultation being driven by the Commonwealth through the discussion paper marks the first time the Attorneys-General have formally sought consumer and industry views.

Mr O'Connor stressed that neither he nor the Government had formed a view on whether the Classification Scheme should include an R18+ Classification for computer games.