| R 18+ plans on the backburner |
 R18+ plans on the backburner Fri, 31 November 2008 Lack of unanimous support behind consultation impedes progress yet again
 We won't be seeing this on game boxes any time soon. The paper, intended as a precursor to a much wider and extensive research initiative, was shelved after Mr Michael Atkinson, Attorney-General of South Australia, withdrew his support for the consultation, effectively ending the debate.
Spokesperson for [Victorian Attorney-General Mr Rob Hulls], Meaghan Shaw, said "whilst the issue is still formally on the SCAG (Standing Committee of Attorneys-General) agenda, it now appears unlikely that there will be unanimity from all jurisdictions to proceed further at this stage with introducing an R18+ category for computer games."
- The Age Ron Curry, CEO of the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia says many elements of the industry will continue to fight for what he believes is the outcome that the majority of the population desires.
As reported in Edge last week, the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia released an annual report which shows that the average age of an Australian gamer is now 30. The report also found that 91 percent of those surveyed believed Australia should have an R18+ rating for video games.
The next meeting of the Standing Committee of the Attorneys-General, at which the issue will likely take a prominent position, is due to take place within the next month.
“To us, what it seems like is that Mr. Atkinson is actually censoring debate on censorship, and there's a whole lot of irony in that. We’re going to try and put the paper forward again as soon as possible," said IEAA CEO Ron Curry. - Edge Online
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