Inquiry Recommends R18+ Rating

When the R18+ Classification Amendment bill was introduced on February 15th and the federal Opposition  asked for it to be sent to an inquiry, it seemed like yet another bureaucratic delay. Aussie gamers went from cheering to sighing in the space of 0.73 seconds.

Thankfully the committee in charge of that inquiry has now tabled its report in strong favour of proceeding with the bill. The report stated:

The Committee recommends that the House of Representatives pass the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (R 18+ Computer Games) Bill 2012.

Hooray! Progress! Exclamation mark!

Rather than a stall tactic, the inquiry was done to ensure enough public consultation had been sought before introducing the bill to parliament. The committee was satisfied with the 58,000 submissions from the public, along with 2,000 telephone surveys and 2,500 submissions to the Review of the National Classification Scheme.

That’s a whole bunch of gamers who don’t want to see the next Mortal Kombat game refused classification.

Head over to the House of Representatives Committees website to read the full report.

Mortal Kombat Appeal Is Unsuccessful

Latest news is that the Warner Bros. appeal to have the Refused Classification removed has been unsuccessful.

The official statement from Warner Brothers is below:

We’re obviously extremely disappointed that the refused classification decision has been upheld by the Classification Review Board. We want to thank the thousands of Mortal Kombat fans in Australia and around the world who have voiced their support during the appeal process.

Source: Kotaku

Comment on this post in our forums

Michael Atkinson: Gamers are criminals

Atkinson is well known for his vehement opposition to the introduction of an R18+ rating for computer games in Australia, with him holding the power of veto over any changes to the Classification Act currently as the South Australian Attorney-General.  But with his latest tirade, he seems to be taking things a little far, with his accusations being rather inflammatory and certainly not something that is going to promote reasonable and measured discussion on the topic.

As we previously posted last year, submissions are currently open for public comment on the issue of the introduction of an R18+ rating for games.  So hit up our previous news post and have your say if you haven’t already.

Via:  Gamespot

Comment on this post in our forums

R18+: Have your say

Public submissions can be made using a supplied form that asks a number of questions and allows you to add additional comments.  The forms and the consultation document itself are available from the AG’s web site by going the following address – http://www.ag.gov.au/gamesclassification.  Submissions will close on the 28th of February, so you’ve got 2 and a half months to submit your opinion on the issue.

Its as simple as filling in a Word document template provided at the above web site and emailing it in.  Submissions will be made publicly available unless you request on your submission that it be anonymised.  I’d strongly encourage as many gamers within the community to voice your opinion, whether you’re for or against the issue.  The more submissions that are made shows that the general community do care and have genuine concerns and thoughts about the issue.

Other news that has been made public today, is that the ACT Attorney General Simon Corbell has confirmed that he is in support of an amendment to the Classification Act to allow an R18+ rating for games.  So out of the Attorney Generals across Australia, that makes 2 including Victorian AG Rob Hulls who have made public their support for amendments to be made to the Classification Act.  Michael Atkinson from South Australia currently stands alone with his vocal opposition to the proposed amendments, with the other State and Territory representatives yet to make public their stance on the issue.

Comment on this post in our forums

Atkinson to appeal Modern Warfare 2 rating

Interviewed a few days ago on the ABC’s Radio National, Atkinson has reportedly stated he will be appealing the MA15+ rating given to Modern Warfare 2.  The interview itself states the game is about the Russian airport massacre level involving the killing of civilians, which is the main part of his argument against the game and its one that has been overly sensationalised in the mainstream media as well.

At the moment there aren’t any further details about whether he is going to follow through on his threat, or whether its just more of his rhetoric which is quite rife throughout the interview if you listen to the whole thing.

But given the game has already been released, its probably a bit too late now anyway, in that it’d be like closing the proverbial gate after the horse has already bolted given the number of copies of the game that have no doubt been sold in Australia already.

Via:  Kotaku

Comment on this post in our forums