SCAG lags on R18+ games

14.05.2010

Representatives for the state AGs did not reveal how the votes may be cast. The state AGs may oppose the reform as it is understood they had not cast votes at an earlier SCAG meeting due to Aktinson's public opposition to the higher classification.

More than 98 per cent of the submissions to the public call for responses in December were in favour of classification reform, the bulk aged between 18 to 24 and 25 to 34.

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A resulting report states that Communications, Entertainment and Technology Law Committee of NSW Young Lawyers (CET) and Electronic Frontiers Australia and AusGamers (EFAA) argue MA15+ games are under-classified which increases the chance that minors will access unsuitable material that would be unavailable under an R18+ classification.

"They suggest that some parents may allow their children to play MA15+ games despite being under 15 because they feel their child is mature enough, or they do not know the full extent of the game's mature content, or because their children pressure them," the report reads.