Top Stories Ready
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Government To Implement Changes To Classification, Starting With Automated Classification For Video Games
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R18+ And The Awkward Space On The Wall
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Phew, *Now* R18+ Has Finally Passed In Queensland
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Queensland Set To Miss R18+ Deadline
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NSW MP Wants To Reclassify Up To 50 MA15+ Games To R18+
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R18+ Legislation Now Passed In NSW
Regulars
Government To Implement Changes To Classification, Starting With Automated Classification For Video Games
When an R18+ classification was finally put in place across all states and territories, the Australian games industry was already preparing to push towards the next step: dealing with broader, bigger areas of classification. The National Classification Scheme Review undertaken by the Australian Law Reform Commission in 2012 was a major part of that step forward, and we’ve now been informed that the federal government is taking seven of the recommendations made by that review on board and intends to implement these reforms during the winter session of parliament in 2013.
As Of Today, R18+ Games Can Be Sold In QLD
When it was finally announced that R18+ legislation had been passed in Queensland, there was only one step left to take before the new legislation finally came into being — the Governor of Queensland had to sign off on the act. Now we can officially announce that the Classification of Computer Games and Images and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2013 has been signed. R18+ games can now officially be bought and sold in QLD.
Here Is Your First Look At An R18+ Rated Game In The Wild!
If I was to gamble my life savings on what would have been the first R18+ game in Australia, I’d currently be dead broke. That game will be Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2+ for the PS Vita and it’s set for release next Thursday. We’ve been shown a first look at the game as it will be sold in stores next Thursday.
Phew, *Now* R18+ Has Finally Passed In Queensland
After a bizarre day where those tuning in had to deal with discussion over court transcriptions and fencing laws. After a false alarm where one staffer in the Attorney General’s office accidentally sent a press release before the vote was taken, Queensland has finally joined the rest of Australia — and the Western world — by passing R18+ legislation at a state level.
Queensland Set To Miss R18+ Deadline
When the Federal Government passed R18+ legislation it set a January 1 deadline for all states and territories to pass its own individual R18+ legislation, to help regulate the sale of adult video games Australia-wide. Since then most states and territories have either passed, or are in the process of passing, that legislation. But now Queensland has become the first state to officially delay its decision regarding R18+ past the January 1 deadline. Yet, bizarrely, this will not halt the sale of R18+ video games in that state.
Western Australia Proceeds With R18+ Legislation, Makes Minimal Changes
With the R18+ rating poised to come into being in January 2013, it has been up to each state and territory to pass its own seperate legislation. Western Australia was one of the first to present its legislation, but worries from Liberal MP Nick Goiran that an R18+ rating would “introduce a level of violence that children and young people weren’t exposed to before” pushed the issue to a committee. We’ve now been informed that the committee has come back, making minimal changes to the legislation, meaning Western Australia’s R18+ legislation will most likely pass without any issues.
UPDATE: All States Have Either Passed Or Tabled R18+ Legislation In Parliament
With most states and territories either in the process of pushing through R18+ legislation, or having passed it already, it was left to both NT and QLD to play catch-up in order to meet the January 1 deadline set by the Federal Government to get the R18+ rating up and running. Thankfully, it seems like QLD has taken notice — its own specific R18+ classification was read in Parliament for the first time last night.
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