It’s all well and good for us consumers to bitch about the lack of an R18+ rating in video games, but it’s another thing altogether when politicians start doing it for us. The Hon Kate Jones MP has sponsored a government petition up in Queensland to bring change to the current classifications scheme.
From the petition:
TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland
Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that the Classification of Computer Games and Images Act 1995 is currently out of step with the wishes of the electorate.Your petitioners, therefore, request the House that it be amended to permit computer games to receive the R18+ classification when they have been refused classification under the Commonwealth Act.
The petition, which is only available to Queenslanders, will probably amount to nothing, but even so, if you’re a maroon, you should definitely head here and put your signature onto it. After all, if you’ve got the government working on your side, you may as well take advantage of it…
[Queensland Parliament e-petition, via Atomic - Thanks Adam!]
James McClimont
November 24, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Well at least someone is try something. I’ve signed it. GO QLD!!
Report PermalinkSam
November 24, 2009 at 12:07 PM
To me it seems like the law itself should be change. Why isn’t it a majority vote rather than one person with an agenda being able to block the entire system.
Report PermalinkMDolley
November 24, 2009 at 12:43 PM
This is what we need. People who understand the issue and are involved in the political process.
It may not get very far but should go to show that Atkinson’s claim that “proponents of R18+ games are putting their hands up and saying ‘give us more cruel sex and extreme violence’” is utter BS
Report PermalinkDanny
November 24, 2009 at 12:58 PM
It’s not about wanting more sex and violence in games… We (gamers) just want to play the game it’s meant to be played. The way the developer wants to sell it to us… But instead we’re paying $100AUD/game just to see money flying out of our victims (in game) instead of blood…. Bodies disappearing before they hit the floor. etc etc i could go on but its pathetic.
Report PermalinkSigned . Sealed . Delivered . Passed on to entire department
James-Mac
November 24, 2009 at 3:18 PM
It shouldn’t matter why we want it.
We’re the voters, they’re appointed to represent our opinions.
Report PermalinkNicholas
November 24, 2009 at 6:35 PM
Funny you should say money flying out of bodies instead of blood, I havent seen this mentioned anywhere and it only occurs online. In MW2 in matchmaking, when you kill people money flys out. is their an explanation to this because blood spurts out in campaign/spec ops?
Report PermalinkTris
November 24, 2009 at 1:17 PM
GIDDY UP QLD’R!!! Finally we have someone on our side. Signed and if I could I would sign it a thousand tims more
Report PermalinkRyno
November 24, 2009 at 1:23 PM
wow thats coming along nicely now, it was a 666 last week when i entered my signature and now its over 3,000
Report Permalinkmatt
November 24, 2009 at 6:25 PM
was this posted on Kotaku? couldn’t find it there.
Report PermalinkA.a. Fussy
November 24, 2009 at 7:29 PM
How can QLD amend the Classification of Computer Games and Images Act 1995, when all states have to agree unanimously?
Report PermalinkHeliopath
November 25, 2009 at 3:37 AM
There have been cases in the past where changes have been made as a per state/territory scenario, I don’t have links on hand but I believe the renting of Adult materials at video stores had some issues a few years back, the NT was able to sell/rent during those periods of time whilst qld couldn’t or something or another.
Then again the NT is a territory and maynot fall under the rulings of those particular states
Report PermalinkBlake
November 25, 2009 at 9:15 AM
I believe state laws can supersede federal laws but I’m not sure how this would work as far as federally recognised classifications.
Would that mean QLD would effectively be using different classifications to the other states/territories?
I think if this goes through it’d be a case like medical marijuana is in some states in the US where the state allows it but the federal police would sometimes come along and take it all as it wasn’t legal to have at the federal level.
In any case, all QLDers should sign it immediately. It might not fix it, but it’s a definite step in the right direction.
Report Permalinkboc
November 25, 2009 at 12:49 AM
This is encouraging news.
Now, how can we get this happening in the other states as well?
Show me a Victorian petition and you’ll get my signature.
Report Permalinkranger
November 25, 2009 at 9:20 AM
too bad we poor plebs in SA won’t see this petition, the douchebag lives here!
Report PermalinkJesse
December 4, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Do it free speach atleast, were not in china you communist fucks.
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