R18+ introduction to be postponed until ALRC report

NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith will not be supporting the introduction of an R18+ rating for games in Australia at the upcoming Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) meeting on Thursday.

Without the Attorney-General’s support at the SCAG meeting, the R18+ motion cannot be passed. Alterations to Australia’s classification system currently require unanimous support from all state and territory Attorneys-General. An R18+ rating has been a topic at multiple SCAG meetings, and no consensus has yet been reached.

Mr Smith intends to wait until the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) report on the matter has been completed before making his decision on an R18+ rating.

He yesterday confirmed to GameSpothis position on the matter, with GameSpot reporting the news as ‘derailing’ the R18+ introduction.

Today, a spokesperson for Mr Smith has indicated to MCV Pacific that he considers the notion that the Attorney-General is ‘derailing’ the R18+ introduction is ‘mischevious’.

The spokesperson commented: "The train has just stopped at the station on the way to its ultimate destination. It would be ideal if the classification process was as widely respected as that which governs our films and TV programs."

"The ALRC will allow for input from the broad spectrum of groups in the community which might be affected by such a decision. This means more than just those who buy [games] and I would like to know the rationale for the other AGs wanting to reach a definitive position."

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