Page 3399 - Week 08 - Thursday, 23 August 2012
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So in conclusion, the Greens are pleased that this day has arrived. It has been a long time coming, and many gamers and parents thought perhaps it would never arrive. However, arrive it has, with tripartisan support, and this is a good result.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development) (3.12), in reply: I would like to thank members for their support of this bill. The bill introduces an R18+ restricted classification category for computer games in Australia and is consistent with the decision of all jurisdictions at a meeting of the then Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, now the Standing Council on Law and Justice, in Adelaide last year.
The commonwealth has now passed the Classification, Publications, Films and Computer Games Amendment (R18+ Computer Games) Act. This is the mechanism which will activate the R18+ category for all other jurisdictions. The commonwealth amendments will commence on 1 January, giving all jurisdictions time to enact their own implementation bills.
The government is proud of its ongoing support for the R18+ adults only category here in the ACT. The ACT was the first jurisdiction to introduce its bill and will be the first to enact the new classification provisions. The bill adds the R18+ restricted classification category for computer games to the current framework which contains the G, PG, M, MA15+ and RC, or refused classification, categories. The new category, R18+, represents the government’s commitment, and indeed all Australian government’s commitments, to maintaining the principles expressed in the national classification code. It will provide more protection for children and young people. At the moment, harmful material can be easily purchased from overseas or through the internet, with no guidelines as to its content.
The key principles of the code are that adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want but that children should be protected from content likely to harm or disturb them. The R18+ classification for computer games satisfies both of these objectives.
Children and young people under the age of 18 will not be allowed to purchase R18+ computer games. The bill requires proof of age before purchase. A similar requirement already works effectively to prevent children under the age of 15 buying MA15+ games.
Contrary to the suggestion of some, an R18+ classification will not introduce prohibited and offensive games to Australia. The refused classification category still will exist, and the Attorney-General of any jurisdiction may request reconsideration of classification if there is concern raised about a particular game.
Compliance with the existing and new laws will be enforced by the Office of Regulatory Services here in the ACT. ORS is already responsible for licensing and enforcement of the X18+ films category. ORS inspectors will have the power to enter
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