Sign on Options
Theme:
To Dark

More than 55,000 R18+ submissions received

Australian Federal Attorney General's Department to prepare report on public consultation into R18+ for games; Minister lauds "high level of interest."

Australians, it seems, are more than a little interested in the issue of video game classification. Figures released yesterday by the Federal Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor show that more than 55,000 submissions were received into the recently completed public submission process on whether Australia should introduce an R18+ rating for games, with the Minister stating that the large response rate indicated a "high level of interest in this issue in the Australian community."

Most Aussies have shown support for R18+ so far.

Most Aussies have shown support for R18+ so far.

The last time Australia's federal government revealed the response rate into the public consultation process back at the start of February, only 6,000 had been received. Out of that first batch, close to 1,100 responses had been analysed, with a whopping 99 percent supporting the introduction of an R18+ rating.

O'Connor said the Federal Attorney General's Department would now prepare a report on the consultation for the Standing Committee of Attorneys General (SCAG), a group made up of all of Australia's various Federal, State, and Territory AGs. The introduction of an R18+ rating needs the unanimous approval of all SCAG members, with the next SCAG meeting due in April this year.

"It is good to see that this public consultation has generated so much interest," Mr O’Connor said. "The submissions received in this consultation process will assist the Commonwealth and other censorship ministers' consideration about whether an adult classification for computer games should be introduced."

The high number of responses follows a concerted campaign by video game activists around the nation to drum up interest in the debate. Independent advocacy group Grow Up Australia's partnership with retailer EB Games netted more than 16,000 responses, with an EB Games spokesperson saying the company solicited a further 30,000 submissions.

Stay tuned to GameSpot AU for more information on the public consultation process. Meanwhile, check out GameSpot AU's Aussie Games Classification FAQ feature.

50 Comments

  • darthturkey

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 1:47 am GMT

    Good to see over 55,000 votes, but with Atkinson still around this wont happen, we just have to have wait to see what happens with this election, and hope Atkinson loses.

  • Australians

    Posted Mar 7, 2010 2:11 am GMT

    i was one of those 16,000 responses at the EB games one

  • AceBalls

    Posted Mar 6, 2010 10:32 pm GMT

    If all of us could vote in this election, not only would atkinson be out of his croydon chair, he would be thrown down the street like used toilet paper so fast that the word "kaka" would be meaningless.

  • M-Kraft

    Posted Mar 6, 2010 5:54 pm GMT

    If they advertised that there was a petition to fill out, a lot more people would have signed it. 55,000 stands for a lot more people who haven't signed it. I know personally at least 20 people who would want an R18+ rating and had no idea about the petition. 55,000 speaks for a lot more. GIVE US R18!

  • AZZAMAN100

    Posted Mar 6, 2010 5:35 pm GMT

    wooo!

  • AZZAMAN100

    Posted Mar 6, 2010 5:34 pm GMT

    wooo!

  • topcat_laugh

    Posted Mar 6, 2010 12:26 pm GMT

    i think they heard us

  • selbie

    Posted Mar 6, 2010 6:28 am GMT

    I'm glad this has garnered more public awareness. I hope the government doesn't just put this aside and take the 'moral high ground' again. It's time we moved alongside the rest of the world in this issue.

  • Conno08

    Posted Mar 6, 2010 2:42 am GMT

    SWEET! But I don't know if we can get all the SCAG members to agree to it.

  • drivemuse

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 10:31 pm GMT

    Awesome response Australia!

  • Antherian_being

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 10:25 pm GMT

    Atkinson won't give in. However the SA premier (I believe) has influence over him and can get him to vote or resign (best case scenario)

  • witide

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 9:13 pm GMT

    He ought to be sacked. What ever happened to democracy?

  • hotfiree

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 6:44 pm GMT

    1 Man shouldnt have so much power - can Rudd over rule him ?

  • hotfiree

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 6:44 pm GMT

    What annoys me is we could have 100% of the australian population say yes, but it still wont do anything because atkinson seems to be opposing it for personal reasons, not the good of the country.

  • nightharvest

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 6:01 pm GMT

    There is a 'veto' and odds on it will be used.

  • DAMSOG

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 1:43 pm GMT

    Although its encouraging to see a large number of people respond to a public referendum I fear it wont change the small minded attitudes encased within the god-fearing politicians that rule our land with an iron fist. For every one person that made a submission there are probably 50 sitting around their church groups ready to protest against video games and the moral decline of our society as a result, congratulations to all that made that effort to submit, we can all cry together when it gets canned.

  • AceBalls

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 1:35 pm GMT

    This is awesome BUT the vote still has to be unanimous amongst the attorney generals. When most of them raise their hands for a "yes", guess what atkinson is gonna do..?

    Because of this archaic system within the AG department, we're never going to see a democratic result in favor of the R18+ because it will be exploited and unfairly justified by atkinson.

  • stray2615

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 1:27 pm GMT

    It's no real surprise that the discussion here has turned to democracy. 55,000 people have voted, and I'll be VERY surprised if there is less than 50,000+ people in favor of R18 rating. So 50,000 Australians want it, and one man in power doesn't. If it doesn't pass, then democracy has failed, and we are seeing nothing more than a form of dictatorship. As for the whole EB debate thing going, if you don't like the prices, buy elsewhere. I for one buy everything from my local GAME, not really based on price (everywhere will price match if you ask them) but I like the service and the guys will tell me if I won't like a game (I buy that many games there they know what I'd like).

  • edd1990

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 7:07 am GMT

    lets all raid parlament! jks haha

  • benjhi

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 5:31 am GMT

    Atkinson is worried that a small portion of younger brothers or sisters etc, are going to see and experience R18+ material from there older brother/sister/parents. Which will happen but its no different to movies now.
    Because EB are so large they buy the games from the publishers cheaper than JB or Game etc, so even if they price matched there margins are still better than the competition. Every week different laws are passed without asking the public, it only matters now because its a topic that is important to you.Once upon a time politics stood to serve the people, now politicians only serve their own agenda.

  • Fragazine

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 5:30 am GMT

    Let's not get our hopes up.
    The ISP filtering consultation seems to have resulted in moot - how can we expect the matter to be handled any differently?

  • dr_satan666

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 4:08 am GMT

    So 55,000 people can't be wrong?

  • burtonboy05

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 2:46 am GMT

    @Halorulz - that is fine and well to price match or trade in games but when EB's games or shelving says 'seen it cheaper we'll match it' they're simply taking the pi$$. They'd be better selling more units at a cheaper price than trying to skin their clients paying top dollar. Anyway that isn't my concern, if people are stupid enough to pay an extra $20 on games then good luck to them. Your reasoning that they only trade in games doesn't sit with me I'm sorry.

  • SIDEFX1

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 2:32 am GMT

    Politics suck. In the Australian Anthem we say "Young and Free".. Yet there are more rules to abid by law every year.. We are not a communist country yet Mr A is allowed to tell us what we want and what we should have.. that's bull..

  • Transparanoia

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 1:27 am GMT

    More than 55, 000? That's insane! I was a little disappointed when I heard only 6000 odd people made the effort and thought we'd at least get to 10k, but 55k? There is no way anyone could say that there isn't considerable public interest in this. Go Team R18+!

  • R_evolution_Jay

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 12:33 am GMT

    I really don't know why we kid ourselves thinking this will change that old geezers mind... he will just laugh at us and say NO...

    only chance is to get rid of Atkinson, which for some reason I doubt based on lies spread by themselves, and other certain religious types which have no right to tell us what we can or can't play, we don't tell them to censor their bible!

    So I just HOPE he gets booted or caves under public pressure... all we can do.

  • FarmFreshDX

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 11:46 pm GMT

    GS needs to step in here and do something before this becomes a political crapfest. They should be prepared for articles like this to erupt into flame wars.

    ON TOPIC, it's great that so many people have turned up for this. Far more than I thought would.

  • Vagrant2501

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 10:44 pm GMT

    i don't know if anyone else was watching the news on 10 a coulple days ago, but there was a bit about research that violent video games links to causes of violence and other such things amoungs teenagers. I find this research rediculous. Its like in the 50s when some guy conected comic books to violence, and the comic book industy was heavily hit with all sorts of stuff that screwed it up. Its like all they want to do is blame everything without caring what damage the blame causes.

  • kanea84

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 9:54 pm GMT

    In Australia we are forced to vote and if you dont you get a fine

  • sooty1987

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 9:51 pm GMT

    yeah take that atkinson you old fart

  • gameking5000

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 9:05 pm GMT

    @halorulz

    True.

  • gameking5000

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 9:04 pm GMT

    @Elma007

    I think they changed it around 5 years ago. I'm not entirely sure but I think it was M15+ before not MA which it is now. Now M is recommended for mature audiences and PG is Parental Guidance is recommended. MA15+ now has a 'restricted' bit under it .

  • halorulz

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 8:58 pm GMT

    And for those who hate on EB for having overpriced games. FYI, EB doesnt over price their games. Other retailers just underprice them to attract customers into their store to buy other things. As games are EB's main selling point it cant afford to underprice its games or else, obviously, it wouldnt make money. JUst remember you can always price match or trade in your old games.

  • Phacet

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 7:44 pm GMT

    Democracy is an illusion, it never existed. not in aus, us, not anywhere. Why are we FORCED to go vote with threats of fines if we dont? How was a GST voted in when NO ONE wanted it? pack of gum used to be 50c, now its like $1.20..10% gst my a$$

  • Elma007

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 7:43 pm GMT

    I always assumed M and MA were adults only. After all M is for Mature and Mature = Adult doesn't it?

  • hotfiree

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 7:31 pm GMT

    By the way theres not a huge difference with M and MA here is there? It seems so stupid they are both 15+.
    With our current system kids are getting games that other countries only let adults buy over the counter.

  • danielgreen81

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 6:57 pm GMT

    @PerilousWolf
    Democracy in this country is already failing. The political oppostion party cannot even come up with their own policies, instead just playing the "You are wrong" card to the current elect over and over.

  • Revla

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 6:55 pm GMT

    looks like its more than a non issue Michael Atkinson. I wouldn't be surprised if he says something along the lines of 'after the election (arrogant p*&(k) ) I'll say yes to R 18 games'. He probably still won't and even if he did (and meant it) he's still lost my vote. GAMERS 4 CROYDON FOR THE WIN!

  • Brewer74

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 6:55 pm GMT

    I hear GAME has a petition to keep the pressure on the issue while the submissions are being considerd. We should all get into a store and sign it. We need to keep it at the forefront of everyones minds after the discussion paper has closed.

  • xblane

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 6:40 pm GMT

    @casket56

    then we need a 'RSVG' (Responsible Service of Video Games)... and when someone has played too many R18+ games they are refused any more

  • burtonboy05

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 6:23 pm GMT

    As much as I hate EB for their crazy over pricing good on them for getting behind this one. No doubt they've helped add a huge amount of weight behind this one and if Atkinson claims this is a insignificant number of responses then he needs to be ejected immediately. I'd like to see how this stacks up with other government public submissions in terms of numbers. Only time will tell but as someone earlier stated he'll be gone in time and new blood will pass the laws. Agreed gamers should be asked for ID as they would be alcohol and cigaretts. It's a pretty straight forward solution - how hard it is to implement I really don't know.

  • casket56

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 6:11 pm GMT

    All the stores need to do is treat the games like alcohol and ask for ID, then we should be sweet for an R18 rating!!

  • GH05T-666

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 6:03 pm GMT

    simple don't sell R18+ games to kids, and if people 18 and over 18 want to buy a game let them. its choice and people deserve to make it for themselves! the age of gamers is much older now and many games that should be R18+ are M15+ and anyone can get them so why not do the right thing and make the classification?

Subscribe to GameSpot's YouTube Channel

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!