![[Image: game-news-image-2011-1f48de70b54c4a0552b...f736cf.jpg]](/game-news-image-2011-1f48de70b54c4a0552b4bb38b3f736cf.jpg)
Australian's have been waiting a long time for an R18+ classification to be passed and that wait keeps feeling longer and longer. Finally we have reached the crossroads though, with the bill actually being introduced into parliament. Jason Clare, Federal Minister for Home Affairs, believes that the classification could come into effect by January in 2013 if it successfully passes through parliament.
Some people were a bit scared when a new Minister stepped in to replace Brendan O'Connor, but were relieved when they discovered that Jason Clare intended to stick to O'Connor's plan with introducing the R18+ classification.
"This will bring the classification categories for computer games into line with existing categories used to classify films, and make the Australian classification regime more consistent with international standards," Clare said in his second reading of the R18+ legislation in parliament.
He also talked about the passion that many Australian's had for this reform to take place and that many had been waiting for up to ten years for us to introduce it.
Federal parliament resumed as of the 7th of February and this bill still has to fight it's way through the houses. In order for it to pass through the Lower House (House of Representatives) it will require the support of at least two crossbench MPs. Up until this point all of the relevant crossbench MPs have been silent on their stance concerning the introduction of the classification.
Once it passes the Lower House it must then get through the Senate, to do this it will require support from either the coalition or the Greens. Luckily one of each has voiced support for the bill in the past.
All we can do now is hope that it successfully gets through both of the relevant houses, we'll update you guys as soon as we know more.
Written by: Kyran Morrison
User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
0 comments:
Post a Comment