The best way anybody can help to bring about change in the classification system is to get involved. Under current legislation, any change to the Australian classification system requires unanimous support of all Australian Attorneys-General. Making contact with your Attorney-General and letting them know of your strong belief in the need for change is the single most effective way to bring about a fairer, safer ratings system for all of us.
The following has been created as an example template you could use for your own letter. You can download it here as a Microsoft Word (.doc) file, or copy and paste the text below to use for your own purposes.
[NAME OF ATTORNEY-GENERAL]
[ADDRESS OF OFFICE]RE: The proposed R18+ rating for computer and video games
Dear [SIR/MADAM],
I am writing to you in your capacity as the Censorship Minister of [YOUR STATE/TERRITORY] to urge you to support the proposal for an R18+ rating for computer and video games in Australia.
As you may be aware, the highest classification that a game can be given in Australia is MA15+, despite the existence of a higher R18+ rating for film and television. This has caused a situation that is allowing children aged 15 access to games containing the same themes and imagery as restricted 18+ films, as well as misinforming parents about the nature of the content in the game. In addition to this, it encourages illegal piracy and places unnecessary restrictions upon the freedom of choice that Australians should enjoy.
With the average age of a game player in Australia being 30 years old, and 88% of all Australian homes containing a device for playing computer or video games, it is important that the Classification System continues to be overhauled to meet the needs of the Australian public. The Interactive Australia 2009 Survey reported that 91% of people surveyed supported the introduction of an R18+ rating for video games, clearly showing that there is a strong desire for change in the system.
With the advance of technology and the internet, children are exposed to computer and video games at a younger age than ever before. As the Censorship Minister, you can act to accelerate the implementation of this proposal and help to ensure that adult themes and imagery are properly classified, and parents are properly informed about what their children are playing.
I urge you once again to support the proposed change to the computer and video game ratings system. The current system simply does not have the capability to deal with a changing entertainment environment, and those limitations are causing dangerous flow-on effects for children, parents, and the industry as a whole.
Thank you for your time and your consideration.
Yours faithfully,
[SIGN AND DATE]
[ADDRESS/CONTACT DETAILS]
Please feel free to write your own letter, stating your case clearly. concisely and plainly without emotion or anger. The case for an R18+ rating for games is strong and undeniable. Remember, the correct way to address an Attorney-General formally is Dear Minister for appointed Ministers, or Dear Sir/Madam for Members of Parliament who do not hold a Ministerial post. Handwritten letters are often treated with more importance, so if you’re willing to go that extra mile, it might well pay off.
A list of all current Australian Attorneys-General follows below – huge thanks to R18+ For Games for compiling this information.
Commonwealth Attorney-General, Brendan O’Connor
Minister for Home Affairs
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6277 7290
Fax: (02) 6277 7098
Email: Brendan.O’Connor.MP@aph.gov.au
South Australian Attorney-General, Hon. Michael Atkinson MP
GPO Box 464
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Phone: (08) 8207 1723
Fax: (08) 8207 1736
Email: Atkinson.Michael@agd.sa.gov.au
New South Wales Attorney-General, Hon. John Hatzistergos MP
Parliament House
Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9230 3463
Fax: (02) 9228 3600
Email: office@hatzistergos.minister.nsw.gov.au
Queensland Attorney-General, Hon. Cameron Dick MP
GPO Box 149
Brisbane QLD 4001
Phone: (07) 3239 3478
Fax: (07) 3220 2475
Email: attorney@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Victorian Attorney-General, Hon. Rob Hulls MP
Level 3, 1 Treasury Place
East Melbourne 3002
Phone: (03) 9651 1222
Fax: (03) 9651 1188
Email: rob.hulls@parliament.vic.gov.au
Tasmanian Attorney-General, Hon. Lara Giddings MP
Level 10
15 Murray Street
Hobart Tasmania 7000
Phone: (03) 6233 6752
Fax: (03) 6233 2806
Email: lara.giddings@parliament.tas.gov.au
Western Australian Attorney-General, Hon. Christian Porter MP
29th Floor, Allendale Square
77 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Phone: (08) 9220 5050
Fax: (08) 9221 4665
Email: Minister.Porter@dpc.wa.gov.au
Australian Capital Territory, Mr Simon Corbell MLA
Attorney-General
GPO Box 1020
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone: (02) 6205 0000
Fax: (02) 6205 0535
Email: simon.corbell@act.gov.au
Northern Territory, Dr Chris Burns MLA
Attorney-General
GPO Box 3146
DARWIN NT 0801
Phone: (08) 8901 4052
Fax: (08) 8901 4060
Email: minister.burns@nt.gov.au
