Aussie AG halts R18+ rating for games indefinitely
The introduction of an R18+ rating for games in Australia has been indefinitely delayed due to a political maneuver by South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson. The Age reports that Atkinson has refused to allow a report commissioned by the "censorship ministers" weighing the "pros and cons" of an R18+ rating for games to become public, effectively shelving any discussion on the matter.
Atkinson is quoted as saying to Australia's parliament earlier this year that he's opposed to the introduction of an R18+ rating because, despite it denying adults choice, it was necessary to protect children from "potentially harmful material." Australia's OFLC has effectively "banned" or edited several games this year due to its classification system revolving around 15-year-olds as a bellwether.
