As recently reported, the issue of the Australian lack of a R18+ rating will soon be open for a public consultation process, via a discussion paper that will be released by Bob Debus, the Commonwealth Minister for Home Affairs. It has been revealed today that the public consultation on the matter will "close" on the 31st of July, this year.

Before that happens however, the office of the Minister for Home Affairs will release a revised version of the discussion paper which the Standing Committee Attorneys General could not agree on. The revised paper will include changes suggested by South Australian Attorney General, Michael Atkinson - which is to include descriptions and examples of content that would be allowed under both a R18+ rating and the current highest classification for video games in the country, which is MA15+

In recent communication, a spokesperson for Debus stated that the introduction of a R18+ rating for video games in the country "needs to reflect the view of the public."

A recent study released by the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia found that 91% of the 4,852 respondents were in favour of a R18+ classification for video games. Whether these numbers will be matched by public consultation on the issue remains to be seen.

When the paper is released, we will have all the details about how you can take part in the discussion.