Kotaku reader Vitas attended the forum and asked Abbott: “What are your views on the absence of an R18 rating for video games and do you have any policies relating to this?”
Says Vitas: “The reply I got was quite positive. Parts of what he said was, ‘If what happens with video games is not roughly analogous to what happens in other areas, that seems silly.’ Also he seemed to be for it replying, ‘Instinctively I’m with you, and it’s something I’d be happy to look at, if we are in Government’ and ‘If you think there is a problem, I would be happy to look at it.’ Although he admitted he did not know there had been a debate on the issue.”
The Prime Minister Julia Gillard was also at the forum, but was not asked the same question.
Abbott’s response comes after he admitted he thought the current classification system – not just for videogames but across the board – was broken. Of the three major political parties, only the Greens have offered a public statement of support for an R18+ classification for games.
The issue will be discussed at the next Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, scheduled for November.
StudiodeKadent
Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 3:56 PMTony might be religious, but 1) Abortion is a state issue which he cannot do anything about, 2) The classification system is a matter for the State Attorney Generals, it isn’t a federal issue and therefore Tony cannot force his religious convictions on any of us, and 3) The liberals will dump the internet filter.
The Australian Christian Lobby has ALREADY strongly opposed the Coalition dumping the internet filter. Tony has ALREADY pissed off the ACL. He has not “capitulated” to them.
Lets also note that the State LNP in Queensland has already passed a motion supporting R18+ video games.
The ACL is not nearly as powerful as the US Christian Right.
And yes, Abbot equivocated when he answered the question.
But lets look at Labor. Their working class union support base is HEAVILY socially conservative and often religious. Religiously-motivated social conservatism is a BIPARTISAN phenomenon in Australia. Kevin Rudd frequently invoked Catholic social teaching when defending his policies. Julia Gillard may be an atheist (and I applaud her for being open about her atheism; I am an atheist as well), but many people in her party are not.
Grant
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 10:01 AMTony Abbot. Is nothing more then a bible basher. The running of a country should have no influence from any religion. This is the problem of todays world. Not to mention how much the education industry will crumble if he is elected in. But I guess it’s in such good shape as is it’ll be fine? hahah are you tards kidding yourselfs…. tisk tisk.
JBles
Monday, October 11, 2010 at 2:42 PMToo bad Tony wasn’t elected prime minister because then I might have been able to play Left 4 Dead 2 with some gore! but I guess I can wait one month for the verdict and if I don’t get to play L4D2 with gore before next year I might explode myself (and I don’t think they can censor people exploding).