WA government under pressure from MPs on R18+
- — 06 December, 2010 10:47
The West Australian Attorney-General will come under pressure from his own party room to block moves to introduce a R18+ classification for video games.
On Sunday the Federal Government signalled it would push for changes to Australia's video game classification system, which would see the MA15+ rating replaced by R18+ as the country's most restrictive classification.
The issue will come up for discussion at the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) meeting this Friday where Home Affairs Minister, Brendan O'Connor, needs to secure unanimous support from the states. The minister last week voiced his support for the new rating and said he would be talking to Attorneys-General prior to the meeting to ensure the debate moved forward.
However, WA Attorney-General, Christian Porter, is yet to determine the government's position with his spokeswoman saying he would decide after the meeting.
He will come under pressure from a group of 12 Liberal and National government MPs, including Water Minister Graham Jacobs, who are against any move for an R18+ rating.
Swan Hills MP, Frank Alban, said lifting the classification would give the green light to video game content that was previously unacceptable.
"I'm in favour for more protection of children and kids but I think the borders of our morality have been extended to such an extent where we almost don't have any borders at all," Alban told AAP.
Upper House MP Nick Goiran said the joint children's commissioners had made a submission to the Federal Attorney-General opposing the move as it could expose children to extreme violence and sexual assault.
"If all of the children's commissioners are collectively saying this is bad news, this is a bad idea, then I take that very seriously," Goiran said.
"I'm very concerned if any government casts that aside and shows no regard for it. It makes you wonder what is the point of having a children's commissioner."
Goiran dismissed O'Connor's opinion that an R18+ classification would provide a new level of protection saying it was a cliched "cheap one-liner" with no merit.
"What I would say is why don't you enforce what you're supposed to be doing on the MA15+ instead of being weak on the MA15+ and using that as an excuse."
Alban said there is a significant group of MPs in the party room who had taken a "strong stand on moral issues" and believed Porter would consult them before deciding.
"It's a little bit of a balancing act for him; you've got to do what has to be done but I think our position is a position of influence," he said.
"He's very accessible to all MPs and certainly those in the party room and I think his decisions are based on the general view of all of us and I'm not feeling threatened. I do feel we will have input."
