Another Australian AG Puts the Brakes on R18+ Ratings

[Joshica Huracane]

ARGH! And here I thought we were so close!(SA Attorney Generals silly MA15 removal aside) WTF Greg Smith! NSW used to be cooooool! =P
But no, seriously, this isn't cool. At all.

 

[ssgt splatter]

Wow, just wow.
It is really sad that some people just can't live in the real world like the rest of us. Sorry Aussies, and sorry Yahtzee.

 

[Krantos]

Why, why, WHY, does Australia require an unanimous vote on this?

This is precisely the reason most countries settle for a majority. Requiring a unanimous vote means that anyone against a motion ALWAYS wins, no matter how out numbered they are.

I understand and appreciate the ideal behind requiring consensus, but it's not something that works in real life. The result is a system that is constantly trying to get the most menial things done, because people rarely ever agree.

One opposed, just one, can hamstring anything. There is something seriously wrong there.

 

[Dr.Panties]

Circumvent this protracted stream of conservative, bureaucratic diarrhoea by importing. Import! Import at any cost!
Import! It's cheaper!
Import! Indirect middle finger to decrepit attorneys general, and archaic process!
Import! Exercise your right as an adult!

Import! It's the only reality check that will crack the conservative veneer! After all, what point in delaying implementation of an R18+ rating if the majority of adult gamers already have the titles that are being refused classification?

What's that word again? Begins with an "i", and begins with YOU!

 

[LookingGlass]

And lo! A collective, giant and deafening "COME ON!" was screamed by the Australian Public. And the rest of the world took pity upon them for being stuck with such a universally borked ratings system and system of government.

I feel this is appropriate...

Greatest video ever.

This is so stupid. Last I checked democracy was supposed to be about the majority. People would probably complain about a system that required a unanimous vote from the entire country to change Prime Minister.

And the problem with importing is that they make it illegal for you to import games like Mortal Kombat that were banned here, and if they catch it at customs they can (I don't know if they do, but they can) fine you pretty badly.

 

[Metalrocks]

i always thought germany is stupid with their rating and especially censoring stuff from games and movies, and still give it a 18+ rating. 18+ for a censored version of a movie or game.
when i moved to australia over 6 years ago, i was surprised about the games i was able to find in a store you never could get legally in germany/switzerland (besides some shops in switzerland who was selling uncut original versions).
i quickly found out how stupid the rating system works down there when i never saw a 18+ rated game.
reading this just makes my head shake how retarded the system is. seriously, the whole world has a 18+ rating and dont have any problems. not even germany, they just complain about the violent in the games.
no wonder people in australia order games from ebay. one shop i used to get my games from, told me that few people dint order some games like L4D2 because of the stupid rating system and the game being censored.

now that i live in hong kong, they dont seam to have this issue. the games are all from the US, some are from australia like assassins creed 2 and brotherhood (because of the aussie rating on the box). they dont seam to have their own rating system besides the US rating which is on the box of the game.
but if a game is really violent or has mature content like sex etc, they just put a huge black sticker on the box saying that this game is for people 18 years and over, and that this product contains disturbing material that may offend people...... etc etc. you can guess the rest.
this works fine here from the looks of it. at least i never heard anyone complaining about it or about games.

so why is australia so f***ing stupid and cant get the picture??? im so glad to be out of this country. feel sorry for yahtzee.

 

[captaincabbage]

"Further studies"? How about all the other freaking countries with 18+ ratings and aren't full of serial killers? Is that enough evidence for you?

FUCKING WORDS OF A HOLY MAN, RIGHT HERE! I'm so sick of these attourney-generals screwing us over every damn time we start getting something on track.

 

[HK_47]

Whatever. There are more important things to worry about than some game rating

I'm not surprised, it'll be years before we have a R18 rating, simply because the people making the decision is made by people who believe the huge majority of those who play games (I wont use the term gamer because I'm certain they think there's no such thing as a gamer)are young children.

You mean they aren?t? Could have fooled me with thy way gamers here ***** about nothing.

I agree with you that when compared to the more serious issues a government must deal with, (pretty much everything else), that the push for a R18 rating is pretty irrelevant, but there's no reason why they shouldn't do it as its such a small task and could easily be done, and wouldn't hinder the advancement on any other legislative areas.

 

[Gregg Lonsdale]

Oh well, Guess I'll just have to keep importing games and assisting in the financial ruin of our country. Tough.

 

[42]

WE HAVE FOOLS RUNNING THE GOVERNMENT.

Honestly do you thik any other country's government is different?

sorry i don't buy the whole every country is the same argument, because

A) our prime minsiter is retarded
B) opposition ain't any better
C) have you had to put up with the inane bullshit of no R18+ rating?
D) our prime minister is really retarded.

now tell me how that is different from any other country in the world?

 

[kalt_13]

sorry i don't buy the whole every country is the same argument, because

A) our prime minsiter is retarded
B) opposition ain't any better
C) have you had to put up with the inane bullshit of no R18+ rating?
D) our prime minister is really retarded.

now tell me how that is different from any other country in the world?

I'm an aussie as well so I know your pain. I still can't work out where those asshole attorney-generals get off denying us that rating. I could be wrong here and would appreciate a correction if I am, but aren't they supposed to represent the people of Australia? So if we say we want a law they should be working to give it to us, not being little bitches about it.

Look at what other people in other countrys think of their governments. Read a few posts here about americans complaining about there own government. Did you see on the news about the greeks rioting against their government. Yes those people are rioting/complaining about different things to us, but I'm sure alot of people in alot of countrys would make a list similar to yours.

Maybe looking like this:

A) our head of state is retarded
B) opposition ain't any better
C) have you had to put up with the *topic they they are complaining about* ?
D) our head of state is really retarded


As I said in the other thread this week about the Attorney-General meeting, the only thing that will happen on friday, is they will have a nice and expensive lunch paid for by the people they are ignoring.

 

[Von Strimmer]

I'm not surprised, it'll be years before we have a R18 rating, simply because the people making the decision is made by people who believe the huge majority of those who play games (I wont use the term gamer because I'm certain they think there's no such thing as a gamer)are young children.

As a huge political nerd and active in politics (in the greens) its clear that neither Labor nor Liberal governments are going to do anything that may upset the conservative vote. Even if the state attorney general's, the federal government will try and block it as a result of talks with the christian lobby.

Ultimately it will one-day go ahead,but only if the federal government pushes it.

I know I shouldn'y say this but... give Prime Minister Brown my regards

OT: Knowing the Australian government they would probably make the system worse sooo this doesn't really bother me. Also do games get carbon taxed?

 

[Richardplex]

they need an unanimous vote? really? From an outsider point of view, Australia needs to stop being idiots about that flawed system. And about 18+ games. UL Australians, UL.

 

[HK_47]

I know I shouldn'y say this but... give Prime Minister Brown my regards

OT: Knowing the Australian government they would probably make the system worse sooo this doesn't really bother me. Also do games get carbon taxed?

A fine hook sir ;P but I'm not going to bite

I would be interested if if the federal attorney general does have any ability to go over the head of SA's attorney general's head, as this is reminiscent of a great many other issues that are the result of multiple constitutions and undefined areas, that and the lack of a bill of rights.

We know that its not a party issue (specifically labor)as the R18+ rating had support of all states under labor (except SA) and federal labors support

 

[HK_47]

Its just SA, the opposition doesn't support it either.

I guess its just South Australian politicians trying to feel relevant again, something that hasn't been the case since the 70s.

 

[Von Strimmer]

I know I shouldn'y say this but... give Prime Minister Brown my regards

OT: Knowing the Australian government they would probably make the system worse sooo this doesn't really bother me. Also do games get carbon taxed?

A fine hook sir ;P but I'm not going to bite

I would be interested if if the federal attorney general does have any ability to go over the head of SA's attorney general's head, as this is reminiscent of a great many other issues that are the result of multiple constitutions and undefined areas, that and the lack of a bill of rights.

We know that its not a party issue (specifically labor)as the R18+ rating had support of all states under labor (except SA) and federal labors support

Ahhh Australian politics... Why do we bother. It will happen eventually it's just a conflict between the oldies who are being overly cautious and the young ones who want to get cracking and change everything around. It will find a balance. Besides it will take years to roll out. NBN will take 9 years so we probably shouldn't be holding our breaths.

You mention a bill of rights. I can definately tell you vote Green . On a side note how is taxing big business better than planting tree's when it comes to reducing emissions? Personally I think we should forget all this nonsense and focus our efforts to helping our economy survive the situation with P.I.I.G.S and the US debt thing. (wow went a bit off topic)

 

[42]

sorry i don't buy the whole every country is the same argument, because

A) our prime minsiter is retarded
B) opposition ain't any better
C) have you had to put up with the inane bullshit of no R18+ rating?
D) our prime minister is really retarded.

now tell me how that is different from any other country in the world?

I'm an aussie as well so I know your pain. I still can't work out where those asshole attorney-generals get off denying us that rating. I could be wrong here and would appreciate a correction if I am, but aren't they supposed to represent the people of Australia? So if we say we want a law they should be working to give it to us, not being little bitches about it.

Look at what other people in other countrys think of their governments. Read a few posts here about americans complaining about there own government. Did you see on the news about the greeks rioting against their government. Yes those people are rioting/complaining about different things to us, but I'm sure alot of people in alot of countrys would make a list similar to yours.

Maybe looking like this:

A) our head of state is retarded
B) opposition ain't any better
C) have you had to put up with the *topic they they are complaining about* ?
D) our head of state is really retarded


As I said in the other thread this week about the Attorney-General meeting, the only thing that will happen on friday, is they will have a nice and expensive lunch paid for by the people they are ignoring.

you're right about the meeting, and i suppose you're also right about the similarities in lists, while i can't say i know what's wrong with america now, besides News limited hacking shit, and their abysmal healthcare system, and i certainly don't get why the greeks are protesting over the fact that they need to pay tax when most greeks are rich as hell (again i don't know much as i'm currently finishing off the HSC, priorities dude) this issue with the classification of videogames is something that is so small and little on the big list of things this country should be worrying about. besides this stupid carbon tax, again the list applies here. but i hope the AG choke on the expensive lunch. but as someone's pointed out here, Brenden O'conner is going to go over the AG's heads if they don't do anything so something has to happen soon.

 

[HK_47]

Ahhh Australian politics... Why do we bother. It will happen eventually it's just a conflict between the oldies who are being overly cautious and the young ones who want to get cracking and change everything around. It will find a balance. Besides it will take years to roll out. NBN will take 9 years so we probably shouldn't be holding our breaths.

You mention a bill of rights. I can definately tell you vote Green . On a side note how is taxing big business better than planting tree's when it comes to reducing emissions? Personally I think we should forget all this nonsense and focus our efforts to helping our economy survive the situation with P.I.I.G.S and the US debt thing. (wow went a bit off topic)

I could explain it to you, but I'm not going to because I'm tired of having political debate over the internet because it always ends up being high jacked by personal attacks and incoherent insults and irrational reasoning, not saying you will i don't know you I'm just tired of it
Also I feel it would be inappropriate of me to go on a lecture about something that has nothing to do with this thread

But on the topic at hand, the R18 classification really is something that will be a result of the oldies dyeing, which is morbid but sadly true.

Its always been safer in situations where there will be no repercussions to just do nothing.

 

[HK_47]

We really shouldn't speak as though nothings being done the federal attorney general is doing a surprisingly noble thing pushing for this, despite the fact those who oppose it are in the same party, only separate branch, particularly when they have nothing to gain from going through with it.