No Australia R18+ Rating decision today

Decision delayed yet again, more work to be done says OConnor

The gaming population of Australia has been holding it’s fingers today for a decision on whether or not Australia will get an R18+ for video games, and after all that we might need to hold for a little longer.

At a press conference on the issue, Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor announced that there is to be no decision handed down on the R18+ rating for Australia today. According to Gamespot Australia, who were at the conference, O’Connor said that there is still a way to go, but the issue has moved forward.

The WA Attorney-General has stated that he wants to further consult his cabinet before making a decision on the R18+. According to a report a vote was conducted on the issue but an unknown number of Attorneys-General voted against it. Which ones voted for or against will probably not be revealed.

The Attorneys-General have agreed that new guidelines for video game ratings will have to be drafted before a decision is made. These guidelines will look into how the introduction of an R18+ rating would affect the MA15+ and RC ratings. Basically, what exactly constitutes an R18+ is what they’re after.

In a phone interview with Kotaku Australia, O’Connor had this to say: "It could’ve gone better, but there was a lot of goodwill in the room, and everyone agreed that things need to be changed with the rating system. We need to protect children from unsuitable games and we need to make sure that adults are allowed to play the games they want to play."

In regards to the WA Attorney-General Christian Porter, who according to rumours is the cause of the delay, O’Connel said: "Christian has a really open mind about the subject, and he is genuinely worried about the way games are currently falling into children’s hands under MA15+. Like I said there was a real consensus in the room, and this is a good first step. Changes will be made and the way we adjust the guidelines are a very important part of that process. We have to work out what’s in and what’s out. We also had a new Victorian AG, and he’s only been an Attorney General for a few days, so we really need more time to get everything worked out.”

The issue will be discussed at another SCAG meeting held in early 2011. New ratings guidelines will be worked upon and drafted before then.

After all the waiting, public support and petitions, this turn of events can only be summed up in one word: Disappointing.