Reports that South Australia's replacement attorney-general supported a R18+ rating for video games turn out to be premature, as John Rau reveals he has "no preconceptions" about the issue whatsoever.
Late last month we reported that John Rau, the replacement for former South Australian anti-R18+ attorney general Michael Atkinson, was in favor of allowing video games a rating over MA15+, thereby clearing the way for a revision of the laws that have led to countless video games being banned down under.
The news, which was based off comments from Gamers4Croyden president Chris Prior, turns out to have been inaccurate.
Speaking to GameSpot.au. Rau himself has declared a much more sensible stance on a subject he has not been able to fully consider.
"I have no preconceptions about this issue and intend to listen to the arguments. I can neither support nor wisely argue against a position if I am not aware of the relevant factors," he said. "It is worth noting that ultimately, the decision does not rest with me alone. Any change would require the support of each jurisdiction's attorney-general."
As Luke Plunkett as pointed out previously, five of the six attorneys-general have historically been in favor of a R18+ rating for games, with Michael Atkinson being the only holdout.
Hopefully Rau will approach the situation as thoughtfully as he does his comments on the situation, and the long struggle of Australia's video gaming community will soon come to an end.
New SA attorney-general denies pro-R18+ stance [Gamespot.au]