Australia rides the censorship rollercoaster

By Mike Bantick
Monday, 10 November 2008 05:39

Opinion and Analysis

The on again, off again debate over a R18+ video game classification is back on. My head is spinning with all the backflips that are occuring.  But right now things look positive, in the debate over a possble change to clarify Australian classification of interactive entertainment.

In March the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) met and agreed to a public consultation process on the question of introducing a R18+ Classification system for video games in Australia.

As the only developed nation without a R18+ Classification, as well as the subsequent confusion it causes for parents, it is not surprising that 90 percent of the population support the its introduction.  This was fleshed out in the recent IA9 report from Bond University .

Any video game that cannot be classified at a MA15+ level is effectively banned from sale.  Many releases receive alterations to get them into the MA15+ category, to find their way onto shelves. GTA IV being a prime example.

Since the SCAG meeting March meeting however no details had been forthcoming about the said public consultation.

Then last week it was revealed that South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson was uncomfortable with the thought of releasing a discussion paper.  After checking out the “R18+ for computer games” paper, it looked as if Atkinson would withdraw his support.

On Thursday last week though, the R18+ classification rollercoaster changed direction again.  The SCAG committee meeting in Brisbane, again discussing the public consultation process.

Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls, who has long supported the classification change, has managed to galvanise support for the discussion paper release. 

Meaghan Shaw, spokesperson for Mr Hulls, said "censorship ministers at SCAG agreed that the discussion paper will be finalised by the end of the year, with the view to Australia-wide distribution."