Australia lacks a R18+ rating for video games.

The lack of an R18+ Rating for computer games in Australia is one issue that has been recently discussed by the Attorneys General of each state. It was previously announced that a discussion paper for public opinion on the matter would be released.

The contents of the paper, which were to be edited by South Australian Attorney General, Michael Atkinson before being released to the public was not met with unanimous agreement by each of the state and territory Attorneys General at the recent Standing Committee of Attorneys General meeting in Canberra.

As such, Bob Debus, the Commonwealth Minister of Home Affairs will "soon" release a revised version of the yet-to-be-seen discussion paper to the public, which will outline the potential changes to Australian classification guidelines and laws. The discussion paper has been a long time in the making, and the issue is not something which will quickly be resolved.

Simon Corbell the ACT Attorney General, explained shortly after the Standing Committee of Attorneys General meeting in Canberra, that the action taken by Debus was due to the lack of agreement among the states and territories:

Because there was no unanimous agreement amongst all states and territories about the release of the discussion paper, the commonwealth is circumventing our requirements for unanimous agreement and will release the discussion paper under their own name. The paper will be released shortly.

While "shortly" was not defined, the issue is now in the hands of the Commonwealth, which should leap frog any back and forth disagreements between individual State and Territory Attorney Generals.


Fallout 3 and F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin were originally refused classification in Australia.

Atkinson, who has remained firmly opposed to the introduction of a R18+ rating for video games in Australia has defended his stance, and wants to encourage public debate regarding the issue.

I think it's important that a discussion paper be released. I believe the changes I proposed to make would have been useful in making this discussion accessible to the majority of Australians, for whom this debate is inscrutable.

Previously, Atkinson had wanted to include in the discussion paper a description of content from games rated MA15+ and those refused classification, to better inform the Australian public regarding the issue.

However, Atkinson does seem to be willing to change his view, should the discussion paper be met with a positive response from the video-game industry, the public, and gamers.

I'm open to discussion. My position now is that I'm opposed to an R18+ classification, but let's see how the debate progresses. Let's see what concessions gamers and the industry are prepared to make. This would involve the Classification Board applying the guidelines correctly.

He is sceptical about the role of the Classification Board, indicating that they tend to "bend over backwards for the industry rather than [acting in] the public interest."


Necrovision is the most recent game to be refused classification.
While the debate regarding the introduction of a R18+ rating in Australia will continue for some time, Bob Debus, Minister for Home Affairs is due to release the discussion paper "shortly".

When this time comes, and the contents of said paper are made public, we will endeavour to keep you informed on any further developments, and how you can take part in the discussion - which should not be met threats or insults to Atkinson or other people in places of authority, but by well formulated, reasoned discussion.

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Thanks to exe3 and Jeatalong for this news submission!
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