Another Australian AG Puts the Brakes on R18+ Ratings

[Royas]

Brendan O'Conner will come to the rescue. He's pretty much said that if they don't agree, he's going over their heads and putting it in anyway.

I'm really puzzled how this works, not being from Australia. How is it that one person can stop the rating system from being changed? Isn't there some kind of central law making body that can make changes like that with the force of law? I understood that there was a central parliament in Australia, I would think that this body would be able to override anything this AG might want. Shouldn't the campaign for the mature rating be aimed there?

I'm not trying to sound ignorant or rude here, I'm honestly a bit confused on how this works.

In Australia, the rating system isn't a fedral thing. Decisions to change classifications have to be agreed upon by each state and territory's Attorney General. Unfortunately, these AG's are all of different moral beliefs and completely out of touch with the general population.

It needs to be a federal thing and not a state thing.

Ah, that clears up the confusion nicely. Thank you. I'd agree that if you have to have a government backed rating system (I'd say you don't, but that's me) best to have it on the federal level for consistency.

 

[Von Strimmer]

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.

Well played good sir well played it just so happens I agree with you on the name calling and hijacking. Would be nice to have a civil discussion on such things but sadly tis not the case anymore. umm yes on topic... R18+ good, Attorney Generals bad/pain in the arse... Carbon tax worse (sorry couldn't resist although no offence meant)

 

[Thaluikhain]

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)

The problem with planting trees to offest emissions is that those trees have to hold the carbon forever or there's no point, and every time you pollute more you have to plant more of them. The idea doesn't really work. A carbon tax, on the other hand, encourages people to pollute less to begin with.

Like you say, it is totally forgettable. 70% of all households will be totally compensated, another 20% to some degree, BHP will be hit hard, losing some of its record profits...eh.

The Australian economy is doing fine, especially compared to lots of places in Europe which actually are fucked for real. Where is the discussion about the actually important things the Australian government is (or isn't) doing which will have an actual impact on things?

 

[Von Strimmer]

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)

The problem with planting trees to offest emissions is that those trees have to hold the carbon forever or there's no point, and every time you pollute more you have to plant more of them. The idea doesn't really work. A carbon tax, on the other hand, encourages people to pollute less to begin with.

Like you say, it is totally forgettable. 70% of all households will be totally compensated, another 20% to some degree, BHP will be hit hard, losing some of its record profits...eh.

The Australian economy is doing fine, especially compared to lots of places in Europe which actually are fucked for real. Where is the discussion about the actually important things the Australian government is (or isn't) doing which will have an actual impact on things?

Hmmm I would say that Australia's economy is more on a knife edge. However in the interests of not derailing the thread any further I think we should agree to disagree. On a personal note thank you good sir for being civil about the entire affair. If only the rest of Australia could be so civil.

 

[infohippie]

It no longer matters, really. An 18+ rating would be a moral victory, but the conversation has moved on, without the government. They have missed their chance to remain relevant, since Aussie gamers can get whatever games they want in a myriad of other ways.

All that is accomplished by this intransigence on the part of government is financial pain to our local retailers, since there are a lot of gaming dollars that are no longer going into their pockets, but are instead heading overseas to mail order places, digital stores, and even unspent altogether as some gamers turn instead to piracy. So, screw The Man. If I want to play any particular game, I will acquire and play it. And it matters not a whit what my government has to say about it.