If you’re a gamer, you might want to get angry now: maybe put on some old-school Rage Against The Machine, crank the volume up, find a stress ball and pummel it mercilessly. Because according to Jason Hill over at Screenplay, SA Attorney General Michael Atkinson has withdrawn his support for a discussion paper and public consultation on the issue of an R18+ rating for games.
Back in March, he agreed in principle to the idea of a discussion paper and public consultation, which would provide a wide selection of research and opinions on the issue. While it wouldn’t actually mean the new rating would be introduced, it at least meant that the issue was on the table for discussion, and there was hope for adult gamers across the country. Now that hope has been dashed by Atkinson’s refusal to even support the research, meaning any official discussion has also been shelved.
Considering that all six of the other AGs support the discussion part, if not the introduction of the R18+ rating itself, how can we truly call ourselves a democracy when one narrow-minded, outdated man can ignore the facts and enforce his personal opinions on a nation? Especially when that opinion leaves us drowning in a tide of stupidity while the rest of the developed world looks down at us from the comfort of their deckchairs on the beach of common sense?
I don’t know enough about politics to understand what processes need to occur to bring it about, but the simple fact is that the system needs to change. No one man should have the power to hold the country to ransom.
[Screenplay via Kotaku]
PapaChango
October 30, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Unbelievable … 1 man out of the 7 can stop a *discussion* going ahead …
So, when does our Great Firewall of Oz kick in Mr. Rudd? … might as well seal this deal and destroy us in one fell swoop…
Report PermalinkAndrew
October 30, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Oh my fking god.
Report PermalinkExcuse the language.
But didn’t a study just come out entailing that the average gamer in Australia is 30?
Jace1000
October 30, 2008 at 4:57 PM
what a douchebag!
It’s infuriating when someone (who clearly has NO IDEA when it comes to the issue) has the power to completely dismiss it.
Report Permalinkkieran
October 30, 2008 at 5:17 PM
I think SABOTAGE from the Beastie Boys is probably more appropriate music.
Oh, and Nick, can you please doctor up that image a little to make him appear more like what we think of him. I dunno, fangs or red eyes or something.. or stick his head on an old nanny body.
I believe a change in Federal Legislation would need to be enacted to bring about these changes. However, first, it would probably need to pass through the states to hand over censorship powers to the Federal Govt. You would probably kiss the heavy smut goodbye from all your dodgy Canberrra peddlers though. To be honest, I think a lot of power should be handed over from States to Federal Government. Road laws, Censorship Laws, Health Laws (why should it be legal for some medical procedures to be done in some states, and not others?!), State-specific laws should all be overhauled. I imagine some regional ones specific for the conditions in some areas should stay, but all Urban laws should definately be streamlined across the country.
Report PermalinkHackler
October 30, 2008 at 10:12 PM
What a joke… this coming from a man who’s the AG of a city famous for its murders.
Hello – maybe its a little late to protect us adult gamers from violence? Turned on the TV news lately??
Report PermalinkMorkai
October 30, 2008 at 10:18 PM
yep, latest research says the average age is now 30, something like 60% didn’t know that we didn’t have an R18+ rating for games, and 91% support introducing an R18+ rating
Report Permalinksimon
October 30, 2008 at 10:23 PM
I’m so angry I could hurl. Yet another example of a politician in a role he wasn’t elected into (no democracy at work here folks, move along) either running a portfolio above his abilities, or more likely courting the ignorant vote with misrepresentative sound bites. Sometimes I feel that our trade ties with China might be more than a bit one-sided.
Report Permalinksimon
October 30, 2008 at 10:33 PM
It’s all very well saying the system needs to change, so Gizmodo Australia, what are we to do? I understand that a gadget blog doesn’t want to get political, but what can we do? What with this and the so-called ‘clean feed’ initiative that is going to cripple our internet access unless it’s stopped, how can we, the Australian internet using and game playing public, do anything about it? Tell us!
Report PermalinkOllie
October 31, 2008 at 7:23 AM
“Michael stays in touch with his electorate by doorknocking and doing his electorate rounds by bicycle.”
Gee, I didn’t know retirement villages were so big.
Report PermalinkLe Douchebag.
Maybe everyone should book flights to SA and go and picket his house and his electoral office… that could be fun, of course taking Senator Conroy’s head on a stake might help persuade him a little >:)
Ollie
October 31, 2008 at 7:29 AM
Straight out of Wiki…
Report Permalink“In 2008, he was voted the sixth most hated person by the Australian public due to his views on censorship. [6] He has withdrawn his support for a discussion paper and public consultation on the subject of an “R18+” rating, although the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General still has this issue on it’s agenda, it is improbable that there will be unanimity which will result in introduction of the rating being almost impossible.[7]“
feral
October 31, 2008 at 8:59 AM
Mass protest outside parliment..
Mobilise the flash mobs..
Get the Chaser to investigate.
Mass protest might be the most fun and get the greatest media coverage.
Report PermalinkKeith
October 31, 2008 at 10:41 AM
What a Douche` Nozzle!
Report PermalinkMark
October 31, 2008 at 10:59 AM
If someone who has a blog that wants to set up a online petition, so we can all get our voices for the R18+ with all the facts and the reasons. If we get a good section of the community plus some gameing companies and devoupers and stores to sign their approval we should have some ground to stand on. Then we just all spam the office of Mr Atkinson, email and snail.
Here is his address
Phone
8207 1723
Fax
8207 1736
E-Mail
attorney-general@agd.sa.gov.au
Postal Address
GPO Box 464
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Office
Report Permalink11th Floor, 45 Pirie Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000
John
November 10, 2008 at 11:29 AM
It’s a shame that violent games don’t affect your average man, woman or child in the ways that old Atto thinks they do.
Report PermalinkOtherwise some angry person would have taken him down by now.
*sigh*