NSW Attorney General Greg Smith To Support Australian R18+ Rating

The New South Wales Government of Australia is expected to give its support for the introduction of an R18+ classification for video games, following a statement from attorney general Greg Smith. Following the decision by the federal government to introduce the new rating "in principle", Smith told Australia's ABC that the NSW will join the agreement. "Few people would dispute the value of a classification system that helps keep adult material beyond the reach of children," Smith said. "With strong classification guidelines in place, an R18+ rating should result in violent games currently rated MA15+ in Australia being reclassified as adults-only, as they already are in many other countries." Smith explained that he plans to work with the other attorney generals to make sure the guidelines for the proposal do not dilute the current Australia's Refused Classification category. Further explaining Smith's decision, his office said, "We abstained from the general thumbs up for an R18+ rating in Adelaide but said outside we suspect we would advise that we are... voting yes. We have done that... Think of this as finalizing/formalizing the support." Last month, plans were put forward to drop the MA15+ rating for video games and instead replace this with a R18+ rating to accommodate the release of games aimed at adults. However, at the time, New South Wales attorney general Smith said he was planning to abstain from the vote, preventing the unanimous approval needed to move forward.