“The Greens support the introduction of an R18+ classification for video games in Australia. We believe that it is time to change the system. It is bizarre that Australia is one of the only countries in the Western world without an adult classification for games. We believe that a change to the classification system should occur in the next term in parliament.

“The Greens will continue to support a campaign for R18+ for games. We also believe that the games industry and gamers have done a really good job of highlighting the issue and putting it on political agenda. We’re going to play our part in parliament and the community to make sure people know about the issue. We plan to raise this issue during our upcoming federal election campaign and make sure it is part of the debate.”

You can use the article to determine who to vote for. It even has a section for you to contact your Federal member via e-mail.

Source: Kotaku

And despite the majority in favour, according to Games.On.Net, O’Connor has requested further analysis from the community and expert views before making a final decision on whether Australia receives an R18+ games rating. The Federal Attorney-General’s department has released a status report, available for download here. O’Connor helps this would ensure that community is kept well-informed of its progress.

The report provides statistical breakdowns as well as summaries of the positions taken by various lobby groups. Interestingly, only one religious group, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, spoke out in favour of the new rating.

The Australian Catholic Bishops (ACB) state that their preferred position is that R 18+ material would not be available in Australia. However, as material is currently available despite its illegality, it would be preferable to introduce an R18+ classification category for computer games so that access to such material, particularly by children, can be restricted.

Well, at least one religious group is using common sense!

Gibeau then goes on to explain the changes in the userbase, saying that the average age of gamers is 28, yet the rating system only goes up to MA15+. This “demonstrates a distance between those policies and the reality of the video game industry and the people that play interactive games in Australia today.” and the legislation “effectively censor[s] entertainment choices for adults.”

Read the full statement here. Note that you have to login or register with the site to be able to read it.

An introduction to an R18+ rating still requires the unanimous support between the Commonwealth, states, and territories, and the high number of submissions might or might not convince those that are against the rating to change their stance. So we can only sit back and hope that come April an R18+ rating for games will be added so that children are better protected from inappropriate material and that the Classification Board can rate games on a consistent basis.

“When I made a decision, or participated in a decision, that a computer game was unsuitable for minors, I was forced to refuse classification for that game. It was not because I thought that the game depicted, expressed or otherwise dealt with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in such a way that it would offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults. It was simply because the game was not OK for kids.

Not being able to restrict computer games to adults was an impediment to my ability to reflect Australian community standards.”

Most of his response is directly targeted at Michael Atkinson’s ridiculous arguments on why an R18+ rating for games should not be introduced in Australia.

“In February 2010, Mr. Atkinson told gamespot.com.au that ‘I think the majority of the population are unfamiliar with these games, and without images, they won’t be able to imagine them in their mind’s eye. They’ll have no idea how violent or sexually depraved they are, and what kind of torture, drug use, and blood spatter they include.’ He also reported to have said that ‘R18+ was an issue that most Australians didn’t care enough about.’ Once again he is exaggerating the level of content that is permissible under the guidelines at the R18+ classification.

“Of even greater concern is the fact that Mr. Atkinson does not understand that most Australians are gamers, and therefore the majority of the population is familiar with game content. (As noted above, 68% of Australians play games and 88% of all Australian households have gaming equipment.) All responses, including those from gamers, are responses from the Australian community. Whilst Mr. Atkinson may wish to marginalise gamers, and put down the knowledge of all Australians, I trust the Government will accept all submissions at face value as representative of the Australian community’s feelings on this issue.”

You can read Hunt’s full response here.

As of 1 February, we received 6,239 submissions: 5, 465 have been by email, 447 by fax and 327 by post.

The majority received so far are tending to support having an R18+ classification for computer games, but, as I said, we have only processed about 20 per cent.

As at 28 January, 11 of the 1,084 processed submissions opposed an R18+ classification for computer games.

A majority supporting an R18+ rating may be well and good for now. However, the deadline is days away, meaning that there is enough time for a lot of submissions to oppose the rating. To make sure this does not happen, make a submission if you haven’t already done so, and tell your friends and family to do the same as well. You have until February 28th to make your voice heard.

The R18+ discussion paper was discussed in the Senate.