In-principle support for R18+ from all states but NSW
But dont give up hope, the Federal Government may override
Today at the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General meeting in Adelaide, in-principle support was given to the R18+ rating for video games in Australia by all but one state. NSW, as expected, has abstained from the vote but everyone else is on board to finally bring in the R18+ rating to Australian video gamers. The NSW Cabinet has said it will deliberate on the issue to decide whether or not they support it, but they stress this won’t take long.
It’s not all bad news though, with a spokesperson for Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor revealing to Kotaku AU that the Commonwealth government might go ahead and override the decision of the states and go ahead with the rating regardless. "NSW has put themselves in the position where if they hold it back we will strongly consider overriding them," the spokesperson said. If that happens, NSW would be the only state not selling R18+ games. Having said that, it’s looking more and more likely that NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith will agree to the new legislation, and the new rating could be implemented in a matter of months.
Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor
Smith isn’t against the R18+ at all – he just wants to see the findings of an ALRC report into the issue before he comes to a decision. That report, however, isn’t going to be released until next year.
Meanwhile in South Australia, Attorney-General John Rau is planning on sticking with with his plan to "sticker" every MA15+ game with an R18+ rating regardless of what happens with the R18+ issue nationally. The plan has even been approved by the South Australian Government.
Democracy at work, folks.
