Queensland Parliament passes R18+ Bill!

Ok we are freaking done with the R18+. Probably. Maybe. We are certainly maybe going to not have as many news items about it in the future, I think. But this one we are definitely going to talk about, because a month and a half after every other state managed to pass legislation covering the R18+ rating, Queensland has caught up!


A game everyone in Australia (over 18) can enjoy!

Yes, as you can see on the Queensland Parliament's site right here, the Classification of Computer Games and Images and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 has passed, or as we say in Queensland, PASSED.

This follows a statement Kotaku AU noticed on the Queensland site earlier today, which announced that everyone should be happy about this news. Apparently a mixup had them upload the statement before the vote had been taken, in anticipation of the inevitable vote in favour of an R18+. It doesn't really matter now however, because it's done!

The bill is fairly standard - R18+ and MA15+ titles can not be demonstrated in a public place unless preceded by ratings advice, all titles must bear standard ratings advice, advertising must include ratings advice and so forth. A penalty applies to anyone who sells an R18+ game to a minor or an MA15+ game to someone under the age of 15, but it is strangely neutered in that if the person looks 18 or 15 there will be no penalty - you are not required to show identification proving you are 18 or older.

All around Australia discerning adults can now purchase video games without having to worry about small children they've never even met! Even stupid adults can! And parents who are upset that their children are having their mind destroyed by sickening garbage can now easily identify just how inappropriate a particular game is for their young ones. Let's celebrate with fist-fights (do not celebrate with fist-fights.) Congratulations to everyone! And just in time for Mortal Kombat Komplete!