Federal Justice Minister Brendan O’Connor – visiting South Australia – called on the State to back the Gillard Government’s proposal to introduce an R18+ video game classification in talks due in July.Australia does not have an adult-only rating for video games, unlike most other comparable nations. That means some sexually explicit and violent games are available in Australia under an MA15+ rating, while others are refused classification and cannot be sold.
“We want to provide better guidance for parents and remove unsuitable material from children and teenagers. The introduction of an R18+ classification will help achieve that,” O’Connor said during a visit to an EB Games store in Adelaide.
“There are dozens of games that are currently classified as MA15+ in Australia, but in other countries these gaming titles are restricted to adults only,” he added.
At present, an R18+ classification for computer games can only be introduced with the agreement of all Commonwealth, State and Territory ministers. They will consider the proposal at a meeting in Adelaide on July 21.
