Page 3397 - Week 08 - Thursday, 23 August 2012
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In my consultations on this matter, as might be expected, I received a wide range of views. In considering the views, I have to say that my main concern, something I will be monitoring with interest, is to ensure that the new R18+ classification does not open the floodgates to computer games that are even more violent or sexually explicit than are currently available in the MA15+ classification. It is my hope that this new classification will mean that some games currently classified as MA15+ will be promoted to the R18+ category, but this is really a matter for the commonwealth.
In a more general sense, I am particularly concerned about recent news reports indicating that there appears to be a correlation between violent computer games and offences involving particular forms of violence. An example given in the news reports was some stabbings. It can equally apply to other forms of violence, including sexual violence. I do note, for instance, that the New South Wales police commissioner has very recently expressed his concern about the correlation and the similarities between offences that he and his officers are seeing in New South Wales and those which are portrayed in some of the more violent games.
If the new classification goes some way to stemming this trend, it will serve a purpose. However, if the new classification only simply means that some games are of a more violent or sexually explicit nature rather than being a reconsideration of games in the MA15+ classification, then I would be very concerned about future trends in violent crime.
While I said the Canberra Liberals will support this bill, we do so with a degree of concern about how the new classifications will impact on social behaviour, and to this end I have circulated some amendments that address the penalties in this legislation in the areas of demonstrating, selling, distributing or leaving computer games in certain places. I have proposed a substantial increase in the penalties from what they are in the legislation to give a clear message that we in the Canberra Liberals will do everything we can to send a very strong message that we want to see this material kept out of the hands of minors, children, and we believe that increasing the penalties in this legislation will send that strong message.
That said, the Canberra Liberals will support the regulatory regime that underpins this classification system, but it is something that we do with considerable concerns about the social impact of the whole regime federally and locally and we will be watching it very closely. I will continue to liaise with my interstate colleagues about the application of this law.
MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (3.08): Particularly on the logistics front, the Greens will be supporting this bill today. Australia-wide agreement to having an R18+ category for computer games has been a long time coming, and the Greens are very pleased the day has arrived.
The issue of computer games is rather unique. Agreement from every Attorney-General in the land is required before R18+ ratings can become law. This is a result of the Australian constitution which hands the power to classify to the commonwealth, but the power to censor and enforce to the states and territories. This issue is even
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