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Australia’s R18+ Discussion Paper and Submissions – The Great Debate

Australia’s R18+ Discussion Paper and Submissions – The Great Debate

As many of our local readers are aware Australia is currently going through a period of great debate over the introduction of a higher rating on our computer and video games. The debate basically comes down to the bulk of the gaming public in Australia wanting to be able to access games intended for an adult audience in an uncut and uncensored format, VS Michael Atkinson, Attorney General of South Australia; one man who has stood firm in the face of innumerable attacks of breathtaking logic upon his castle of hyperbole and spin.

However a discussion paper has been released by the Attorney General’s office which is intended to spark informed debate from both parties, and with this paper goes a submission procedure which allows people to make their point in a clear, sensible and ultimately useful way.  Protests are a powerful sign and can gain public support, but to be heard and noted by the people who make these decisions, proper process has to be followed.  This is your chance to actually say something and be heard. (or at least that’s what we’re lead to believe happens to these submissions)

The Discussion Paper is available to read HERE in PDF, and HERE in a Word Document  Before making your submission it is worthwhile to read it through, as both arguments get a fair hearing and good points are brought up on both sides.

The Submissions Template is HERE as a PDF  and HERE as a Word Document  which can be emailed directly to the Attorney General’s office.

Or all of the above can be found on the official Attorney General’s Office Website about this subject.

When filling in the submission template, please take care to fill in ALL the required fields, as if they are not filled in there is a good chance the submission will not be processed and then, you’ve wasted your time.

When you’re filling out your submission make sure you read the statements really carefully too… we don’t want you saying that you “Strongly agree” to something like this:

  • Computer games should be treated differently from films given the specific, negative effects of interactivity on players, particularly their participation in violent and aggressive content.

Unless of course you do strongly agree… and you don’t think we should have a R18+ Rating for games.  And you don’t want to play games like Alien Vs Predator.  Then you can say whatever you like!

In the comments section at the bottom of the submission it is advisable to keep you comments short, accurate and to the point. Try not to go over existing information and avoid making personal attacks on individuals. Michael Atkinson may be the most vocal opponent to the rating but he is not necessarily the devil incarnate. Keep it polite and factually based but don’t back down from stating our case, and that case is that “we are adults, we have the right to choose what films we watch, why not what games we play?”

Submissions close on February 28th 2010, make sure you get them in before that date. You can Email the Word Doc directly, or print and post, or FAX.

Submissions should be sent to:

Email:        [email protected]

Fax:            02 6141 3488

Post:

Classification Review
Attorney-General’s Department
3 -5 National Circuit
BARTON  ACT  2600

Michael Atkinson has said that the gamers of Australia are a vocal minority who do not speak for the bulk of the population, yet he, by his actions is an even more vocal minority of one man. Stand up and be counted Shiters!

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About The Author

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David Quinn is a writer, artist, film-maker, performer and general all-round-nice-guy who lives and works out of Launceston, Tasmania. He's lived in Tasmania all of his life but is lucky enough to have been to the UK, France, and South Africa in his younger days. He has written short films, co-authored video games, advised on feature scripts and television shows as well as advertising campaigns. He is also a regular performer on both stage and screen. One day he will make his fortune out of all this malarkey. ONE DAY......

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Comments

3 Responses to “Australia’s R18+ Discussion Paper and Submissions – The Great Debate”
  1. avatar Steve says:

    Everyone, get on this. NOW!

    December 16, 2009 at 9:59 pm
  2. avatar Flinthart says:

    So, we've got wowsers censoring our video games, wowsers censoring our Internet access… I'm sorry — does anybody remember voting for the Puritan Alliance at the last election? I'm pretty sure the mob who won government were supposed to be the Labor Party, weren't they?

    K-rudd is a pathetic pantywaist.

    December 17, 2009 at 5:07 am
  3. avatar Doug Reuer says:

    very good, thankss

    March 4, 2010 at 3:25 am

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