Laura Parker at gamespot.com.au has written a fantastic story about the recently Government Report into R18+ public consultation.

Following the initial news that 98.2 percent of the 59,678 public submissions received by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department were in favour of introducing R18+, GameSpot AU has combed the report’s contents to present a detailed summary of the key points.  See here

22 February 2010

For Immediate Release

Support for an R18+, Growing

The Attorney-General’s Department is set to receive an influx of submissions from people who support the introduction of an R18+ category for computer games into the Australian classification system. The submissions were made via an online form provided by Grow up Australia, an independent group advocating the introduction of an adults only rating for games.

Grow up Australia will contribute 16,055 submissions from people who used their online form. The bulk of the submissions were collected during a partnership with EB Games during which Grow up Australia posters were displayed in all of EB Games’ 250+ Australian stores. A link to the online submission form was also provided via a banner on the EB Games website during the campaign.

Australia is the only developed nation without an adult rating for video games despite the average Australian gamer being 30 years old.[1] In December 2009, the Attorney-General’s Department released a discussion paper calling for community feedback on the issue.

Aaron John Percival, Gamer activist and one of the founders of Grow up Australia, said “support for the introduction of the R18+ rating has been overwhelming with ninety-nine percent of the submissions made through the website in favour of the change”.

The co-founder of the group, Jake Edwards, added that “with less than a week until the deadline for submissions, there is still opportunity for people who want to get involved to make a submission directly to the Attorney-General’s Department”.

To make a submission to the Attorney-General’s Department, log on to: http://www.ag.gov.au/gamesclassification

The submissions will be sent tomorrow so that they will be received before the deadline of the 28th of February 2010.

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MEDIA CONTACT – Aaron John Percival – aaron.john@growupaustralia.com – www.growupaustralia.com

R18+ Classification for Video Games: Industry Responds to Discussion Paper

Sydney, February 15, 2010 – The Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (iGEA) has today made its submission to Attorney-General’s Department on the proposed R18+ classification for video games in Australia.  Representing platform holders, publishers and distributors, the iGEA appeals for an R18+ classification to cater to the maturing gaming population and ensure consistent classification amongst other forms of entertainment.

Ron Curry, CEO of the iGEA, says there is overwhelming support for an adult rating not only amongst gamers but parents, families and the wider community. 

“Australia needs an adult rating so adults can play games that are age appropriate for them and parents can make educated choices for their families based on clear, consistent guidelines.  With the deadline for submissions closing on February 28, we urge the community to make their voices heard in support of an adult classification,” said Curry.

Australia is currently the only Western country without an adult classification for video games with the maximum rating MA15+.  Yet despite this, the release of the discussion paper last December has unveiled mass approval for an R18+ classification for video games across a wide range of polls conducted in the media; 

• News Limited’s poll shows 95.5 per cent of respondents vote for an R18+ classification and 4 per cent vote against it (1)
• A poll conducted by Fairfax indicates 97 per cent of respondents believe Australia should introduce an R18+ rating for video games and 3 per cent are against it (2)
• A Channel 7 Sunrise’s poll reveals 97 per cent of respondents would like R18+ games permitted in Australia and 3 per cent would not (3)
• Furthermore, the Interactive Australia 09 report by Bond University found that 91 per cent of gamers and non-gamers believe the classification should be introduced (4)
• “There have been some claims an R18+ classification will expose Australia to unlimited high level content but this is simply not the case. The Classification Board will still refuse games that exceed the adult rating guidelines.

An R18+ classification is essential to protect consumers whilst providing them with the full information to make educated decisions about their entertainment choices,” said Curry.  

To sign a petition for an R18+ classification for video games, you can log on to http://www.growupaustralia.com/ or directly at the Attorney-General’s Department at http://www.ag.gov.au/gamesclassification.

The iGEA’s submission can be found here.

This is the first time Censorship Ministers have undertaken public consultation on this issue, with submissions welcomed until close of business on February 28, 2010.

(2) Fairfax Digital, 2009, ‘Should Australia introduce an R18+ for video games?’,

(3) Yahoo7!, 2009, ‘Would you like R18+ rated games permitted?’

(4) Interactive Australia 2009, National Research prepared by Professor J. Brand, Bond University for the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia, 2008

Laura Parker over at gamespot, reports that the  Australian federal government is remaining noncommittal on the effects of the R18+ discussion paper; and says public view will merely “inform [the] decision” on R18+ for games.

To read more click here

GameSpot AU takes a look at the biggest and most active pro-R18+ groups here in Australia and how they are trying to rally the Australian population behind the cause.

To read about the different groups and see how you can become involved, click here

Presentation to House of Representatives Standing Committee for Legal and Constitutional Affairs Inquiry into TPM Exceptions – Submission 2

Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Inquiry into Technological Protection Measures (TPM) Exceptions – Submission 1