Aussie R18+ on agenda at next attorneys-general meeting

Following news earlier this week that new South Australian Attorney-General John Rau has publicly denied a pro-R18+ stance , Aussie gamers may have been forgiven for thinking prospects for an adult game classification have not greatly improved since the departure of R18+ opponent Michael Atkinson from his former post.

In a more positive piece of news, the Federal Attorney-General's Department confirmed today that the matter of whether Australia should introduce an R18+ classification for video games is on the agenda for discussion at the next Standing Committee of Attorneys-General meeting on May 7.

A decision on whether Australia will receive an R18+ classification for games requires the unanimous agreement of all state, territory, and federal attorneys-general. SCAG meetings happen only once a year--the only time when all attorneys-general come together to discuss issues such as this.

The department did not comment on what exactly will be discussed, but it did confirm that a report on the results of the recent public consultation into R18+ for games will be presented to the ministers in attendance.

"The Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department is currently collating views from the approximately 60,000 public submissions received in response to the discussion paper Should the Australian National Classification Scheme include an R18+ Classification Category for Computer Games?" a spokeswoman from the department told GameSpot AU.

Stay tuned to GameSpot AU for more information on the R18+ debate as it comes to hand.

For more on video game classification in Australia, check out GameSpot AU's Aussie Games Classification FAQ feature.