Opposition considers 18 rating in Australia
Liberal Party leader claims to be "instinctively" with calls for change
Tony Abbott, the leader of the Australian Liberal Party, has said he would be "happy" to look at the issue of 18+ age ratings for videogames in the country - should his party be elected to government.
Abbott was questioned at a public forum in Sydney, where he was asked "What are your views on the absence of an R18 rating for video games and do you have any policies relating to this?"
Writing to the Australian version of the Kotaku website, the questioner indicated that: "The reply I got was quite positive."
Abbott's response included the comment, "If what happens with videogames is not roughly analogous to what happens in other areas, that seems silly."
"Instinctively I'm with you, and it's something I'd be happy to look at, if we are in Government", he added. "If you think there is a problem, I would be happy to look at it." However, Abbott admitted he did not realise there had been a debate on the issue.
Although Australia has 18+ age ratings for films, similar to most developed countries, the maximum age rating for videogames is 15. This has lead to a number of 18-rated titles being either banned or censored when released in Australia.
Some Australian politicians, most notably ex-South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson, have used anti-gaming rhetoric in defending the anomaly, but the argument in favour of a new ratings system has gained traction in recent months.
The Standing Committee of Attorneys-General is due to discuss the issue in November, following a submission from Australia's Interactive Games & Entertainment Association and an in-store petition led by EB Games.