Australia agrees on R18+ classification for computer games, but some violent games still banned

[News_Editor]

Australia agrees on R18+ classification for computer games, but some violent games still banned

2011-07-22 10:50:25 GMT+7 (ICT)

SYDNEY (BNO NEWS) -- Australian classification ministers on Friday agreed on an adult category for computer games that contain high-level of violence, but some violent games will continue to be banned.

Law ministers from all jurisdictions in Australia met in Adelaide on Friday to decide on the issue, which has been on the agenda for nearly 10 years. All jurisdictions, except North South Wales, agreed in-principle to support the Commonwealth's proposal.

"This is a big step forward in the long running debate on classification of computer games for adults," said Australian Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Brendan O'Connor. "The introduction of an R18+ classification for computer games will provide better advice to parents and help prevent children and teenagers from accessing unsuitable material."

O'Connor said the new classification is a complex matter in classification policy, but that it will allow only adults the opportunity to view material designed for adults. "I thank all jurisdictions for their support for what is not just a practical public policy, but also very popular policy," he added.

The minister referred to a Galaxy survey conducted last year which showed that 80 percent of the 2,226 people contacted said they supported the introduction of an adult only category for computer games.

Because some draft guidelines which were presented at the last meeting have since been amended, some jurisdictions will now have to seek approval from their respective cabinets. Once that is achieved, the Australian government will begin drafting the legislation necessary to implement the new classification.

But despite an R18+ classification, Australia will still continue to ban computer games which are said to contain 'extreme' violence. The government has said such games will be refused classification and banned from sale.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-22

[TAWP]

Games banned, not even adults are allowed to play them.

Such an open and free nation.

[cdnvic]

Books are regularly banned there, and there's a move to not allow under 18s a Facebook account.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-22/australia-considers-facebook-age-limit.html

There's also no Bill of Rights in the constitution.

[softgeorge]

Books are regularly banned there, and there's a move to not allow under 18s a Facebook account.

http://www.bloomberg...-age-limit.html

There's also no Bill of Rights in the constitution.

You are right, there is no Bill of Rights so to speak in the Australian constitution, however Australians are afforded the same rights as citizens of the U.S excluding the right to bear arms. Literature is still allowed at the moment. Australia is a multicultural society made up of 100's of different ethnic and religious groups so you have to be very careful of your choice of novel as someone is sure to be offended in one way or another. My young son enjoys the Three LIttle Pigs story but this literature is doomed to the black market as some religious and ethnics groups find pigs and the products derived from such animals as offensive.

Australia is fast becomming a Nanny State with others deciding what we like and don't like. What we can watch and can't watch. What we eat and don't eat. A persons right to make thier own informed decisions is being eroded. Australians are no longer considered mature enough to live thier lives without the guidance of Government. Australia is becoming a social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party..