Michael Atkinson explains R18+ game block, not the only A-G opposed

In an exclusive letter to GameSpot UK explaining why he won’t permit R18+ games, SA A-G Michael Atkinson claims he is not the only Australian censorship minister opposed to introducing an adults only classification:

I don’t support the introduction of an R18+ rating for electronic games, chiefly because it will greatly increase the risk of children and vulnerable adults being exposed to damaging images and messages.

“I have three sons who regularly play computer games at home–the eldest is now 22. I see my children become physically and emotionally obsessed with games, and it is difficult to drag them away from the gaming console. The repeated act of killing a computer-generated person or creature desensitises children to violence. It makes violence part of their everyday lives and what is especially concerning is that it is their re-creation. A child being able to watch sex and violence in a movie is damaging to the child, but the child participating in sex and violence in a computer game is worse.

Some other classification ministers are also opposed to an R18+ classification but have not spoken about it publicly. I’m confident the proposal would be blocked by other classification ministers if I weren’t using my veto power

Atkinson believes restricting the liberty of Australian adults is a small price to pay:

“Some of your readers may believe that the present system restricts adult liberty. It certainly does restrict choice to a small degree, but that is the price of keeping this material from children and vulnerable adults. In my view, the small sacrifice is worth it. Classification exists for advertising, films, and books for the same reason–to protect children and vulnerable people.

As per usual Atkinson doesn’t bring any hard evidence to the table. In fact, he brings none.  It’s his opinion and nothing more.

I’ll leave it to Sarah from the STOP Censorship mailing list to sum up his letter:

This is the problem with Australian politicians. They are under the false impression that they are elected to make decisions for the people. Not on behalf of the people. In Australia there is no government of the people by the people. It is government of the people by the chosen few. This is underlined by the fact that he uses the word “I” more frequently than anything else.