Progress Slows On Australian R18+ Rating

The Australian government has determined that “further work” needs to be done, before a decision over adopting an R18+ rating for videogames can be made.

Despite a public consultation finding overwhelming support for the R18+ rating, including the favour of Australian Catholic Bishops, the government feels more discussion is necessary.

Minister for Home Affairs Brendon O’Connor told GameSpot that “Consultations, by their nature, attract submissions from people who are passionate about the issue. Ministers would like to consider other legitimate views from as wide a cross section of the community as possible.”

O’Connor’s statement seems a curious one, as it implies that the Australian government regard the already wide-ranging ‘gamer’ demographic as a collective interest group.

The public consultation gathered arguments both in favour and against the adoption of an R18+ rating, so precisely who else the government hopes to speak with is unclear. Seeking the views of people who are either disinterested or uninformed about the topic would seem to be something of a waste of time.

Submissions to the public consultation process were dominated by pro-R18+ groups, but multiple family, church and community organisations also offered their views.