Email your Attorney General with one click (almost)

[Pinkeh]

A friend posted this bit of information from Gamers4Croydon on IRC this morning regarding the Discussion Paper on the R18+ classification for videogames.

At least that's what i think they are discussing. Either way go read gamers, maybe you can do something about our lack of R18+.

But if you are going to send the Minister something for god's sake make it a proper polite letter not just a simple "big f!@#K you" in the email.

[mshagg]

Im sceptical of pro forma letters provided in campaigns such as this. I often criticise the banking letters provided by Choice, because i know what relevant bank managers do with them. But if someone sits down and writes a letter, explaining their history with the bank and why they have a grievance then they actually capture a bit of attention.

If it's a serious enough issue for someone, it shouldnt be too much to sit down with a cuppa and express your views on the matter. I can almost guarantee they're afforded more attention than a pro forma.

Meh, just my 2c.

[Pinkeh]

Well i just finished writing mine, but i made amendments to the template. Probably slow-mail and post it this afternoon.

[Webby]

In the process of writing my own letter to Mr. Hulls and will slow post it.

[leebaldock]

Done. Hope it makes a difference.

[Wolf]

Originally Posted by Webby

In the process of writing my own letter to Mr. Hulls and will slow post it.

Hulls is already on board as are the rest of the State AGs except Atkinson AFAIK. They're already tried lobbying but he's being a religious prima donna about it. Boy would I like to serve him one at the next SCAG meeting.

[mshagg]

Its probably worth pressuring Atkinson's peers to place a bit more pressure on him, certainly whilst the ALP stronghold remains in state govts. Dont expect Atkinson and his cohorts to go anywhere in SA's election next year

[TheSly]

Just wrote this and sent it. Feel free to use anything from it.

Good afternoon Mr Attorney General,

I'm writing to you today to express my concern over the lack of an R18+ classification rating system for videogames in Australia. I understand that there will be many topics of discussion in this week's SCAG meeting, but as there has been no Discussion Paper released on the R18+ rating for videogames, myself and many of my fellow gamers feel it is important to raise the topic again.

I'm a 35 yr old IT professional, who happens to enjoy playing video games. I also have nieces and nephews around the age of 15 as well as a 6 month old myself. The lack of an R18+ rating system similar to the same system that is available world wide, is quite a concern for me. This type of system is available in Australia when I visit the cinema, and as a parent/guardian, I'm quickly able to assess a movies target audience via the rating system. When it comes to gaming though, the lack of a more mature rating like R18+, limits all mature games to be all funnelled into the one MA15+ rating. This is actually what concerns me.

There is one game called GTAIV that was passed as a MA15+ game in Australia. I have played this game, and knowing that my 15yr old nephew can walk into a shop and purchase this game actually disturbs me. There are many instances where the game is inappropriate for a 15yr old. In the game, I can steal a car, pickup a hooker, drive to an alley and after money is exchanged, have her perform various acts on me. She then exits the car, and I can get out and shoot her in the head, retrieve my money and drive away. Having this available in a MA15+ game is totally inappropriate. Is the answer to ban the game from sale? No. We don't live in an archaic age where we burn books because some people don't believe in what they are stating. We live in an age of choice, where mature adults can decide for themselves if something is appropriate for them, and a ratings system is in place to assist parents when needed. If this game was given the appropriate rating, which I believe is an R18+, then it's a clear choice for parents. Such a non condescending system doesn't belittle adults. It gives mature adults choices, as well as giving parents guidance.

Another such game that is due for release in November is called Left 4 Dead 2. It's a game that involves escaping a city that has been overrun by zombies, similar to recent gory horror movies that have been released. Where in the past these similar movies have been given MA15+ or R18+ ratings, the game in Australia has been censored by the creators in order to pass Australia's MA15+ rating, by having almost all the zombie blood removed. Once again, the adult gamer population, of which 91% are around 30yrs of age (Source - Case Study: Australia's Computer Games Audience and Restrictive Ratings System. Brand, Borchard & Holmes.), are being restricted in what choice they have. This kind of censorship is archaic, and unnecessary. As an adult I'm being restricted to seeing a limiting view of a product on one hand, yet my 15yr old nephew can perform lude acts in a car with no repercussions.

Clearly it's a system that is in need of revision, and that's why myself, and many other supporters in the gaming community (an industry that generates more income then the movie industry at present), are asking for the discussion paper to be put back on the agenda.

I very much look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

[Webby]

Originally Posted by Wolf

Hulls is already on board as are the rest of the State AGs except Atkinson AFAIK. They're already tried lobbying but he's being a religious prima donna about it. Boy would I like to serve him one at the next SCAG meeting.

Yah, doesn't mean more support / letters to keep pushing are a bad thing.

[oli]

In other news Atkinson has installed a new post box in his office marked "Letters relating to lack or R18+ classification to video games". Custom cabinet makers were consulted to build a post box which has a sound insulated box on the inside with room for a high performance document shredder. The shredded documents are conveniently fed into biodegradable bags which are used to help improve Atkinson's lavish tax payer funded gardens at his private residence.

[TheSly]

If you think single voice cannot make a difference, you have never been bothered by a mosquito.

[andydev]

I sent it and got this:

Dear Mr xxxxxx,

Thank you for your email to the Hon John Hatzistergos MLC, Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations.

Unfortunately, our office policy is that a postal address is required for a direct response.

It would be appreciated if you could provide this detail in order for your correspondence to be answered.



Office of the Attorney General and
Minister for Industrial Relations

So I responded with my address... so don't forget to include it in your email.

[Tex Zero]

Just sent mine...

Dear Mr Attorney General,

I'm writing to you today to express my concern over the lack of an R18+ classification rating system for videogames in Australia. I understand that there will be many topics of discussion in this week's SCAG meeting, but as there has been no Discussion Paper released on the R18+ rating for videogames. I, and many of my fellow gamers, feel it is important to raise the topic again.

I'm a 45 yr old professional working in senior management who enjoys playing video games. I have young children and understand the need to protect children from age inappropriate content. I do not believe that the introduction of a R18+ classification will affect what children are exposed to. Quite the contrary I believe the introduction of a R18+ classification will enable parents to make informed choices and enable better classification of games with mature content.

The lack of an R18+ rating system similar to systems available in other developed countries is a serious concern and highlights a serious flaw in the current censorship system. We have a system rating cinema and DVD releases that enables me to assess a movie’s target audience and, as an adult, decide whether I choose to view the content. Yet, when it comes to videogames I am restricted from my right to choose games that feature “adult” content because there is no R18+ classification.

Clearly the current classification system is in need of revision and out of balance when games in Australia that include lewd acts, graphic language, allow players to perform serious acts of crime and graphic violence against “human” characters and opponents achieve a MA15+ rating. Yet a game such as Left 4 Dead 2 that features human survivors pitted against zombies is refused classification. Surely a game where I can steal a car by executing the owner or take part in realistic modern warfare is more harmful than killing the obviously fictional undead?

Australia is a progressive, free-thinking nation. Yet our current classification system for videogames is out of step with those of other nations and with what the Australian public believe is acceptable content for adult consumption. It is in need of revision and that is why I and many other supporters of the gaming community are requesting that the discussion paper be put back on the agenda.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely

[Tex Zero]

Originally Posted by andydev

So I responded with my address... so don't forget to include it in your email.

They need your address so they can make sure they're adding the right person the ASIO database.

/dons tinfoil hat and tries to spot the tail on the way home

[andydev]

Originally Posted by Tex Zero

They need your address so they can make sure they're adding the right person the ASIO database.

/dons tinfoil hat and tries to spot the tail on the way home