WA pro-R18+, but seeks guideline amendments (Australian Games Rating) - Polidicks

[quote]Following on from Monday's news that the NSW Attorney-General will not take part in the R18+ vote at the Standing Committee of Attorney's General meeting this Friday, Western Australia has now clarified its own position on the issue. Speaking to GameSpot AU, WA Attorney-General Christian Porter said the state supports R18+ for games in principle, but want some amendments made to the federal government's proposed guidelines. "Western Australia's position was to inform the Commonwealth in June 2011 that the WA government is not opposed, in principle, to the prospect of an introduction of an R18+ classification category for computer games," Porter told GameSpot AU. "However, before the WA cabinet would give any final approval, the state government would like to see some modifications to the proposed R18+ classification guidelines. "The Commonwealth has indicated its willingness to consider amending the guidelines in accordance with Western Australia's suggestions." It's still unclear what the outcome of the SCAG meeting will be; Federal Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor has previously stated the issue has taken too long to resolve and that he would seek "other options" should a unanimous agreement between attorneys-general not be reached, something that is looking increasingly likely. For an R18+ rating to be passed at this Friday's SCAG meeting, all nine state, territory, and federal ministers need to agree on its introduction. O'Connor now says he welcomes the support of those states and territories that have decided to vote "yes" on introducing R18+, but will not give away the federal government's plans. "This issue has been on the table for close to a decade and the time has come for a decision to be made on introducing an adult classification for computer games in Australia," O'Connor told GameSpot AU. "This is not only practical policy, but popular policy. The result of a nationwide Galaxy survey requested by Attorneys-General that 80 per cent of those surveyed said they support the introduction of an R18+ classification for games. I welcome the action of those jurisdictions that have indicated they will support an R18+ classification in the interests of protecting children and young people. I look forward to hearing the views of all attorneys-general this Friday." [UPDATE] GameSpot AU has also contacted Victoria, the last of the three states besides NSW and WA that, as of May this year, were still undecided on R18+. According to the Victorian Attorney-General, Robert Clark, the state's decision will also be based on modifications to the guidelines. "The Baillieu Government is seeking modifications to the Commonwealth's published draft guidelines so as to better protect the community," Clark told GameSpot AU. "Our decision at SCAG will be based on what proposal ends up being put before ministers for decision."[/quote] [url]http://au.gamespot.com/news/6324414/wa-pro-r18-but-seeks-guideline-amendments?sid=6324414&skipmc=1[/url] ALSO THIS: [b]The Australian is reporting that Queensland Attorney-General Paul Lucas is in favour of an R18+ for video games.[/b] [quote]A PUSH for an adults-only classification for video games is winning support as part of a shake-up of censorship laws pushed by the Gillard government. Queensland Attorney-General Paul Lucas yesterday endorsed the proposed introduction of an R18+ rating category for computer games, to be decided at a meeting of his state and federal counterparts in Adelaide tomorrow. Mr Lucas said Queensland supported the Gillard government's proposal under a national scheme, which this week won the conditional backing of South Australia. The Rann government said it would support the new R18+ classification, but only as a replacement for the existing MA15+ rating. Mr Lucas told The Australian his government supported the stricter rating on top of the existing scheme. There are currently four classification categories for computer games: G -- General Exhibition, PG -- Parental Guidance, M -- Mature, and MA15+ -- Mature Accompanied. Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar. Related Coverage R18+ plan for video sex, drug use Herald Sun, 25 May 2011 Canberra a step closer to R18+ games rating The Australian, 25 May 2011 Support for new game ratings Adelaide Now, 1 May 2011 State goes it alone on game classification The Australian, 28 Apr 2011 New twist in the video game ratings saga Adelaide Now, 28 Apr 2011 End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar. "Protecting our children and young people from sexually explicit, violent material is a priority for the Queensland government and we are supportive of the introduction of this new R18+ category."[/quote] [url]http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/paul-lucas-backs-r18-games-rating/story-fn59niix-1226097862578[/url]

If games don't get censored or banned anymore, that's all i care about.

Still won't happen I bet.

It's never going to happen.

The proposed guidelines are fine, stop worrying over nothing WA, at least they are pro-18 rating.

I just hope this won't give the government an excuse to bump all moderately violent games up to R-18 rather than using it exclusively for the games that are too violent to get a rating under the current laws.

[QUOTE=meerkat80;31224048]I just hope this won't give the government an excuse to bump all moderately violent games up to R-18 rather than using it exclusively for the games that are too violent to get a rating under the current laws.[/QUOTE]I'm guessing the revisions to the proposal will probably allow this to happen. As long as we get the rating in the end I'm happy, as it will most likely take longer than 2 months to be put into effect which means I'll be able to buy them anyway.

[b]The Australian is reporting that Queensland Attorney-General Paul Lucas is in favour of an R18+ for video games.[/b] [quote]A PUSH for an adults-only classification for video games is winning support as part of a shake-up of censorship laws pushed by the Gillard government. Queensland Attorney-General Paul Lucas yesterday endorsed the proposed introduction of an R18+ rating category for computer games, to be decided at a meeting of his state and federal counterparts in Adelaide tomorrow. Mr Lucas said Queensland supported the Gillard government's proposal under a national scheme, which this week won the conditional backing of South Australia. The Rann government said it would support the new R18+ classification, but only as a replacement for the existing MA15+ rating. Mr Lucas told The Australian his government supported the stricter rating on top of the existing scheme. There are currently four classification categories for computer games: G -- General Exhibition, PG -- Parental Guidance, M -- Mature, and MA15+ -- Mature Accompanied. Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar. Related Coverage R18+ plan for video sex, drug use Herald Sun, 25 May 2011 Canberra a step closer to R18+ games rating The Australian, 25 May 2011 Support for new game ratings Adelaide Now, 1 May 2011 State goes it alone on game classification The Australian, 28 Apr 2011 New twist in the video game ratings saga Adelaide Now, 28 Apr 2011 End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar. "Protecting our children and young people from sexually explicit, violent material is a priority for the Queensland government and we are supportive of the introduction of this new R18+ category."[/quote] [url]http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/paul-lucas-backs-r18-games-rating/story-fn59niix-1226097862578[/url]

For me when crap like this happened in the United States I was like "eh, by the time they do anything I'll be 18 anyways so I don't give a fuck" but it sucks that Australia like literally bans games or censors them due to the ol' ultraviolence and a scene of the typical in and out inside a video game while they have movies like Saw being shown in theaters at the same time. I hope the best for this.

Knowing the government, they'll twist and bugger something up. Maybe I'm just being cynical though.

I hope we do get it.

[QUOTE=-n3o-;31224179][b]The Australian is reporting that Queensland Attorney-General Paul Lucas is in favour of an R18+ for video games.[/b] [url]http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/paul-lucas-backs-r18-games-rating/story-fn59niix-1226097862578[/url][/QUOTE] Please please please Victoria next

Victoria represent

Victoria DO VICTORIA!

Please please pass, hate to see such restrictions to our neighbours across the ditch.

I just want my fucking uncensored games already.

Kinda surprised when I saw that WA supported it. Over here in Perth, we're normally so opposed to change that we'd rather not do anything which might possibly make the place better. Just look at our foreshore project.

[QUOTE=HiddenMyst;31226586]Kinda surprised when I saw that WA supported it. Over here in Perth, we're normally so opposed to change that we'd rather not do anything which might possibly make the place better. Just look at our foreshore project.[/QUOTE] New guy in WA so thats why. Hoepfuly the guy in NSW can change his mind, the meeting for all ratings music, movies and video games is tomorrow I believe. Lets hope we get something good out of it.

This is great news and Australia is finally making progress, but... $10 says the next meeting gets postponed, regardless if a majority is in favor.

Would be better if there wasn't a state controlled ratings board.

Come on Victoria and NSW, do it. But the Attorny General of Victoria has some concerns regarding the R18 rating.