New South Wales’ Attorney General Greg Smith has offered his in principle support for the implementation of an R18+ classification for video games after abstaining from the vote last month.

 

Mr Smith now joins all of Australia’s Attorneys-General in supporting the classification, which will pave the way for the Federal Government to begin drafting legislation that will see the new rating made into law.

 

"Few people would dispute the value of a classification system that helps keep adult material beyond the reach of children," Mr Smith said in a statement.

 

"With strong classification guidelines in place, an R18+ rating should result in violent games currently rated MA15+ in Australia being reclassified as adults-only, as they already are in many other countries."

 

The announcement by Mr Smith closes a substantial debate between states on the applicability of the R18+, with former South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson opposing the move until he stepped down from the position last year.

 

The video game industry has lobbied for the mature classification to be introduced to ensure that minors would not consume unsuitable content while also giving consumers greater choice of content.

 

Content deemed unsuitable under the MA15+ system has either been refused classification or been modified to fit the guidelines.

 

The announcement comes after a Galaxy poll conducted last year showed that 80 per cent of the 2,226 people surveyed said they supported the introduction of an adults-only classification.