MP Greg Donnelly will seek reclassification for 50+ MA15+ games

As reported by Kotaku AU, New South Wales Minister Greg Donnelly has explained that once R18+ legislation is introduced on January 1st next year, he'd like certain games which are currently classified MA15+ to be looked at and assessed for reclassification:

“Following the introduction of the new framework on 1 January 2013, steps will be taken to look at what are colloquially referred to as the 50 video and computer games — at least 50 — that it is believed in one way or another have been shoe-horned into the MA 15+ category and should now be rated at the higher classification.”

Games deserving an adult classification but receiving a MA15+ due to Australia's lack of anything higher were one of the justifications made by advocates of R18+ for the introduction of better classification. With that in mind, it seems like a reasonable proposition to go back and take a look at games which might not be suitable for children.

Brendan O'Connor - current Minister for Small Business, Housing and Homelessness and previously the Minister for Home Affairs - had gone on the record before R18+ legislation was passed stating that titles which had been Refused Classification under the current system would not be reclassified - and given the current atmosphere in Canberra it seems unlikely that position will change. The Classification Board and individual states are free to pursue reclassification however, so it will be interesting to see what this means for currently RC'ed games like the much beloved Mortal Kombat.

We've reached out to MP Donnelly's office to seek clarification on the issue and we'll let you know what we learn. Noble efforts aside however, it seems like a nightmare on the behalf of almost everyone involved - reclassification of potentially more than 50 previously rated titles will not be a walk in the park, let alone taking care of stock throughout stores in Australia.