“If there is a national opportunity to embrace R18+, South Australia will do it with the quid pro quo that MA15+ is eliminated as a classification and all games that are now rated MA15+ will be made R18+

“We do this [different legislation in different states] with film now–the ACT and NT have different legislation when it comes to X-rated films compared to the rest of the country. This already exists and the sky hasn’t fallen in. I don’t think that it will be a problem if South Australia has a slightly different regime in respect to games than the rest of the nation.”

A year later, this proposal is scrapped. Now his state will restrict games rated MA15+ to people eighteen years and over, according to GameSpot.

“Complementary South Australian legislation [on R18+ for games] is likely to be introduced in State Parliament in May.

“However, my long-stated position has been to protect children by creating a clearer distinction between games that may be suitable for children and those that are suitable only for adults.

“Therefore, my intention is that the South Australian legislation will prevent the sale of MA15+ games to minors. This move will give parents greater certainty about the appropriateness of games for their children.”

Rau has claimed previously that his state would replace the MA15+ rating with the new R18+ rating, but this proposal was scrapped. His office confirmed that the new law will be policed at the retail level.

The reason for the change is to provide a clearer gap between content that is suitable for children and content restricted for adults.

So if this law passes, children can only purchase games that carry an M rating or lower, and cannot buy certain games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Dead Island.

“The ACT will be the first jurisdiction to progress a bill giving effect to the Commonwealth’s decision to implement the R18+ category in Australia.

Previously, MA15+ was the highest rating a video game could get, but with the new changes, some games containing excessive violence or other objectionable content may be released, while other games that are already rated MA15+ would be relabeled with the new adult rating.

“This is part of a national reform that will allow adult gamers to view R18+ material in the same way that can already be done for film and printed material. But at the same time it will also provide protection to parents and children by giving parents better guidance about what material is and is not appropriate for people under the age of 18.”

Ron Curry, CEO of Interactive Games and Entertainment Australia, explains that even if the new rating comes into effect, it probably won’t stop material currently refused classification (such as Mortal Kombat and Syndicate) being downloaded from the internet.

We can look down and go ‘Hey, what’s that big black sticker, that’s telling me that this content isn’t appropriate.

“Even though they may not be able to have that online, at least there’s that recognition, at least there’s a way of going out and finding out if this product is acceptable for your child or not.

The Federal Government’s amended R18+ legislation is expected to come into effect on January 1, 2013.

There’s every indication that the bill will also pass the Senate with a minimum of fuss, but as usual, we’ll be sure to keep you informed.

This is not suprising, given that this game was already banned last year, then again by the Review Board. Given their past experiences, Warner Bros. would think to wait for the R18+ rating, but they decided not to.

The game has been released for the PlayStation Vita handheld, and Warner Bros. thought that the smaller screen would reduce the amount of violence on screen. The Classification Board did not agree with this.

“This view was not shared by the Australian Classification Board and as such has been refused classification in Australia.”

The report goes further to explain that the reason the Coalition used to force the bill to an inquiry was invalid, because “extensive public consultation on the introduction of an R18+ category of computer games legally restricted to adults has been undertaken since 2009″

It closes by saying “The Committee is satisfied that the evidence demonstrates overwhelming support for an R18+ Restricted classification for computer games. The Committee further notes that the Bill’s aim is not controversial. Rather, it seeks to align the existing classification system for computer games with the system that applies to films.”

The Bill will be sent back to Parliament, ready to be debated again. With both Labor and the Coalition agreeing to the R18+ rating, hopefully it will get through quickly, in time for the January 2013 target set out by former Federal Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor.

With momentum so strong on the R18+ issue and us so close to achieving the changes we need to ensure a fairer, safer ratings system for all, it’s more important than ever that we stay on top of the news and keep the pressure on our local, state and federal members.

Thanks very much for your continued support, and a special thanks to Glenn Petrie for tirelessly updating the site and keeping you all informed about the latest on this issue. Thanks Glenn!

Husic has criticized the Coalition’s move.

“I’m just flabbergasted that after 10 years this has been pushed to an inquiry. Everyone is in support, people have basically spoken. We’re ready to get this done. It only takes one person to do this and you lose time.”

He has suggested that the Coalition is attempting to delay the R18+ legislation or kill it off entirely. Husic isn’t sure which path the Coalition will take.

“The Coalition hasn’t indicated what they’ll do yet. But I’ve spoken to Independents, and tried to make it clear that this is an issue that’s been going on for years is confident that this inquiry will be finished quickly.”

Husic is confident that the inquiry will be over quickly. Then again, it can be a far lengthier process.

“First they have to call for public submissions — again. They may hold a public hearing based on the submission. Then they have to draft a report, the Committee has to agree to that report and then they submit it back to Parliament.”

And so the cycle repeats…

As stated on R18+ Games Australia earlier, in order for it to pass the Lower House, it must have the support of at least two crossbench MPs. The crosbench MPS consists of the four independents (Rob Oakeshott, Bob Katter, Tony Windsor, Andrew Wilkie) as well as Greens MP Adam Bandt. All of them remain silent on the issue.

In order to pass through the Senate, the bill will require the support of either the Coalition or the Greens. Any amendments to the legislation will be sent back to Parliament for the cycle to repeat.

“Our plans are to introduce the R18+ bill in the first session of parliament this year. If it passes the Lower House, it will then go to the Senate for the same process.”

For the bill to be passed in the lower house, it requires the support of two crossbench MPs (independents Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor, Andrew Wilkie, and Bob Katter; and Greens MP Adam Bandt), all of them remaining silent on the issue.

To be passed in the Senate, it must be approved by either the Greens or the Coalition. Shadow Attorney-General had doubts about the rating in the past, while the Greens are showed their support.

If the bill is passed, then Mortal Kombat and Syndicate will be able to get released with an R18+ rating, Left 4 Dead 2 would be uncensored, and a majority of violent games such as The Darkness II will get the ratings they deserve.

It’s regrettable that government policy in Australia is denying adults the right to play Syndicate. The game will be not be available in Australia despite its enthusiastic response from fans. We were encouraged by the government’s recent agreement to adopt an 18+ age rating for games. However, delays continue to force an arcane censorship on games – cuts that would never be imposed on books or movies. We urge policy makers to take swift action to implement an updated policy that reflects today’s market and gives its millions of adult consumers the right to make their own content choices…

· We are not releasing Syndicate in Australia. The reason for this is because we do not have an R18+ in place as yet.

· We will not be appealing the RC decision. Syndicate is a game made for a mature audience and any changes to would significantly affect the game’s quality and appeal.

· Syndicate will continue to be released in New Zealand (unchanged) on the 24th February 2012, and has a confirmed rating of R18

EA chose not to release Syndicate for two reasons. Firstly, as mentioned, the game is designed for adults, not those under eighteen.

And secondary, it costs a lot of money to appeal the decision, and to send the game back to the developer so that they can tone down the content just for Australians and release it under the MA15+ banner. Other companies may do this, but not EA.