R18+ Discussion Paper “Under Consideration”

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

An unofficial response from the Attorney-General’s Department to an enquiry from a Senator’s office reveals that the upcoming discussion paper on the issue of an R18+ rating for video and computer games in Australia is “under consideration”.

Under consideration is public-servant speech for “don’t expect any action on it for a long time”.

The discussion paper represents the best chance of the wider public having their views heard on the issues. Once the discussion paper is released for public consultation organisations and members of the public are invited to make submissions outlining their views and arguements on the matter. As it stands the issue of an R18+ classification is just too small for it to be seriously considered by politicians, particularly with other far larger hot topics such as the economy and the recently reignited immigration debate. Once the discussion paper is released, the state governments will no longer be able to ignore the evidence-based arguments being presented by those in favour of the introduction of an R18+ rating.

The Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (Censorship) first agreed in principle to release a discussion paper in March 2008, however this was then nearly derailed by opposition from South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson later on in the year. He then withdrew his opposition on the matter a few weeks later and the departments agreed to prepare the paper with a view to releasing it in early 2009. After they were unable to come to an agreement at the Standing Committee meeting in April 2009, the federal Attorney-General Department took over. It was then planned to be released by mid-2009 under the Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Bob Debus – however this, too, was cancelled when the Hon Brendan O’Conner replaced him in June of this year.

Since then there has been no news about it, and the latest response from the department indicates it will be a long while until there is.

Thanks to our anonymous inside tipster for this information.