Over 16,000 signatures were collected in response to a Federal Government discussion paper on the introduction of an R18+ classification for video games in Australia.
The signatures were collected in Electronics Boutique retail outlets across Australia and through the the Grow Up Australia website.
“Support for the introduction of R18+ rating has been overwhelming with 99 per cent of the submissions made through the website in favour of the change,” Grow up Australia founder said in a statement.
Earlier research conducted by Electronic Frontiers Australia found that over 50% of games classified MA15+ in Australia, really should have been classified R18+, with the lack of an R18+ classification leading to the sale of unsuitable material to teenagers.
There is still a week until submissions close for consideration. Should this issue be of importance to you, the call for public submissions taking place through the Attorney General’s website.
The introduction of an R18+ classification has previously been blocked by South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson who has compared gamers to bikie gangs when interviewed.
“I feel that my family and I are more at risk from gamers than we are from the outlaw motorcycle gangs who also hate me and are running a candidate against me,”
“The outlaw motorcycle gangs haven’t been hanging around my doorstop at 2am. A gamer has.” he said
