Australia has officially introduced an R18+ classification for video games. The proposed R18+ classification for video games in Australia passed the federal parliament without amendment today, turning the adult rating for games into official federal legislation.
The R18+ bill was introduced to parliament in February by Federal Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice Jason Clare. The bill passed the Lower House in March, also without amendment.
Since passing the Senate today, the R18+ legislation has become law.
"These are important reforms over 10 years in the making," Clare said today in a statement.
"The R18+ category will inform consumers, parents and retailers about which games are not suitable for minors to play, and will prevent minors from purchasing unsuitable material. The reforms also mean that adults are able to choose what games they play within the bounds of the law."
According to Clare's office, Australia's state and territories will now move to pass their own complementary legislation to ensure that R18+ games are "appropriately regulated."
Subject to this, the national R18+ for games will come into effect on January 1, 2013.
Australia's federal, state, and territory ministers first agreed to introduce R18+ for games in Australia on July 21, 2011, after years of setbacks, negotiations, and public consultation on the issue.
I think Rhys tweeted it and I got it from there. So stoked! Still won't mean much when I buy my games overseas. Until we get cheaper prices, I'll continue to shop OS.
I just wait for price drops and sales. Due to not knowing if future hardware will have region blocks. It is fine for single player games as it does nto impact your online experience but multiplayer you have to get your region one otherwise can be an issue.
Next gen they proposing you can't even buy second hand games haha. Scary aye.
I think Rhys tweeted it and I got it from there. So stoked! Still won't mean much when I buy my games overseas. Until we get cheaper prices, I'll continue to shop OS.
The prices of games here are ridiculous but hoorah for this legislation, it's a step in the right direction towards a mature approach to the gaming scene.
The prices of games here are ridiculous but hoorah for this legislation, it's a step in the right direction towards a mature approach to the gaming scene.
agree. I think the ACCC are investigating it now from what I read a new months ago.
Part of the problem in Australia is the cost of everything due to the voume of people we have in ths country and the import taxes on goods. If government just charged GST at the sale point to customer games would automaticlaly be around $10 cheaper. Also our port charges don't help.
Did you know for exampel it is cheaper to send from melburne to hong kong then it is from melbourne to tasmania, o rmelbroune to sydney (about 1/3rd the cost) because of port fees. Government should subsidies between state transport.