Electronic Frontiers Australia today welcomed the Government’s announcement that it supports an adults-only category for computer games, ahead of a meeting of Australian attorneys-general this Friday.
“In banning all games that are not suitable for children, Australia is an outlier amongst developed countries,” said EFA Chair Colin Jacobs. “Given the average age of the Australian gamer is over 30, it’s ridiculous that adults can’t choose to purchase entertainment designed just for them. Over 80% of the Australian public agree.”
Home Affairs minister Brendan O’Connor yesterday released a statement encouraging the states to adopt an R-18+ category for computer games, citing survey data showing the Australian people overwhelmingly supports such a move.
“Creating an adults-only category will protect children, not somehow expose them to more extreme content. It no longer makes sense that computer games be treated so differently to movies. Just because we move a disc from the DVD player to the X-Box, it shouldn’t suddenly become illegal. We urge the states to get on board and get this necessary reform done as quickly as possible,” said Jacobs.
– Ends –
Below is:
– Background information
– Contact details for media
Background:
* Minister’s media release
– http://bit.ly/ggrPNr
* Electronic Frontiers Australia
– http://efa.org.au/
About EFA:
Electronic Frontiers Australia Inc. (EFA) is a non-profit national organisation representing Internet users concerned with on-line rights and freedoms. EFA was established in 1994, is independent of government and commerce, and is funded by membership subscriptions and donations from individuals and organisations with an altruistic interest in promoting online civil liberties.
Media Contact:
Mr Colin Jacobs
EFA Chair
Phone: 0402 631 955
Email: [email protected]