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Anti-Gamer South Australian Attorney General Quits

Posted by timothy on from the usually-the-car-holds-more-clowns dept.

dogbolter writes "South Australian Attorney General, Michael Atkinson, infamous for the banning of R18+ rated games and the censoring of political comment in Australia, has quit. The recent South Australian election provided a massive swing against Atkinson's governing labor party. As a direct result of the South Australian election result, he is standing down. Hopefully someone with half a clue will assume the vacant post and overturn the decision to ban adult oriented computer games."

104 comments

  1. Wow... by dohzer · · Score: 2, Funny

    There actually is a "Gaming God"!

    1. Re:Wow... by interkin3tic · · Score: 1

      Or maybe a "biker gang god." Or maybe they teamed up, since I don't really see one god doing covering both.

    2. Re:Wow... by GNUALMAFUERTE · · Score: 1

      This is clearly the work of FSM, IPU and Russell's Teapot combined.

      --
      WTF am I doing replying to an AC at 5 A.M on a Friday night?
    3. Re:Wow... by Haeleth · · Score: 1

      I dunno, someone must have been responsible for blessing the world with Full Throttle.

      Alas, the Biker Gang Game Devil has used his evil influence to prevent a sequel. O Lucasarts, Lucasarts, wherefore have ye forsaken us?

    4. Re:Wow... by ravenshrike · · Score: 1

      That wasn't the Biker Game Devil. That was George Lucas snuffing out all that is good and right with the world. Luckily, The Old Republic seems to have escaped his wrath. So far at least.

  2. There's little to be said here other than... by Mystery00 · · Score: 1

    It's time for a LAN party.

    --
    "we've got trenchcoats and bad attitudes" - John Constantine, HellBlazer
    1. Re:There's little to be said here other than... by Alphathon · · Score: 1

      Now that's a party I can stand behind, screw Labour!

  3. Let me be the first to say by Rik+Sweeney · · Score: 5, Funny

    RAGE QUIT!

    --
    Summation 2
  4. One Down!!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    As far as politics news this would have to be the best thing I've heard in ... well forever (In Australia anyway).
    So can we all get Senator Conroy (the minister for fascism) to throw in the towel too?

    1. Re:One Down!!!! by deniable · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It wouldn't do a lot of good. The unelected defenders of our morals would have a new stooge in short order.

    2. Re:One Down!!!! by strack · · Score: 1

      well theres a federal election coming up in australia in november. i dont think his seat is up for election this term, but if there is a swing far enough in labors favor, he wont hold the balance of power anymore, and hence have little influence.

    3. Re:One Down!!!! by deniable · · Score: 1

      You responded to a post about Conroy, not Fielding. A swing to Labor means more power for Conroy, not less. As for the election, it might be in November, but possibly not, depending on Rudd's poll numbers.

    4. Re:One Down!!!! by bloodhawk · · Score: 1

      WTf you smoking, The last thing we want is a swing in labors favour. We want retards like conroy out not with more power.

    5. Re:One Down!!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As far as politics news this would have to be the best thing I've heard in ... well forever (In Australia anyway).

      Have you heard of Senator Brian Harradine ? Did you _like_ John Howard ?

      But yea, it is good news.

  5. Fantastic.. but still sign the petition! by ihaveamo · · Score: 5, Informative

    A lot of game shops have petitions to sign - Aussies, if you are dropping by one to pick up the latest austrlian-modified (aka heavily-censored) version of whatever, ask to sign the petition. (I found one to sign, right at the front of the store "GAME", in the Brisbane CBD). More info about the craziness of no R18+ games for Australia is Here

  6. No quitting in this arena! by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 4, Funny

    Finish him!

    1. Re:No quitting in this arena! by GNUALMAFUERTE · · Score: 4, Funny

      But first, Massage Him!

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl9FGDVw-rk

      --
      WTF am I doing replying to an AC at 5 A.M on a Friday night?
    2. Re:No quitting in this arena! by ImYourVirus · · Score: 1

      But we'll have to wait for the no R18+ law to get removed before we can see his blood and guts flying everywhere.

      --
      Why is common sense called that if it's not common?
    3. Re:No quitting in this arena! by kwerle · · Score: 0, Redundant

      Wow. Thanks for the link.

    4. Re:No quitting in this arena! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Interesting massage :)
      http://www.neistesenvar.com

  7. I know this is a bad idea to ask this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I know I will be called a troll for asking this: but how is the SA AG's view on computer games flawed? It should be obvious to anyone that he believes that the views of his constituency (which BTW is more than just teenaged and 18-25 year old anglophone middle class computer-literate males) are not supportive of a "wider range" of content in video games. Given what he does, his decision is quite sensible.

    To cater to the sensibilities of other people, and decide that their needs come before some others, does not necessarily make him "anti" anyone. Just like how if x is not larger than 3, it does not automatically make is smaller than 3, but it could also be equal.

    1. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by Gadget_Guy · · Score: 5, Informative

      how is the SA AG's view on computer games flawed? It should be obvious to anyone that he believes that the views of his constituency...are not supportive of a "wider range" of content in video games.

      First of all, he doesn't believe that. In a recent letter he wrote about this, he stated "this issue has little traction with my constituents who are more concerned with real-life issues than home entertainment in imaginary worlds". So it seems that he is not representing the will of his constituents, but he thinks that they don't care about it.

      As to why it is flawed, that is because it is so out of step with the rest of the country. Adding an R rating for video games requires the agreement of all Attorneys General of all the states. Michael Atkinson is the only one who will not agree to it, despite the evidence suggesting that the majority of Australians support the introduction.

      The main problem is that it doesn't stop kids from seeing adult games. In fact, because there is no R rating, games that would have received that tend to get MA15+ ratings. Those that aren't banned, that is.

    2. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I know I will be called a troll for asking this: but how is the SA AG's view on computer games flawed? It should be obvious to anyone that he believes that the views of his constituency (which BTW is more than just teenaged and 18-25 year old anglophone middle class computer-literate males) are not supportive of a "wider range" of content in video games.

      No, his constituency is 75% 40+ year old women, 24% 50+ year old men and 1% other.

    3. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by Xiroth · · Score: 4, Informative

      Every independent survey run found wide support for an R rating for games amoung the Australian community: Link (reference in there to a survey finding 88% support). Atkinson is considerably more conservative than his base on the issue - this is (or was) a politician's individual crusade, not him representing his electorate.

    4. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by deniable · · Score: 1

      Why should his constituency matter? I can't vote against him, but he can stop me getting R rated games. I just wonder if he jumped or was pushed.

    5. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by Eskarel · · Score: 3, Informative

      It's mostly because what he's trying to do and what's actually doing are two very different things.

      Here in Australia, anything which is Refused Classification(RC) is, in effect, banned. If/When the new internet filter gets put in then apparently even websites talking about RC games or other material will be blocked in part or whole. Since there is no R rating, anything which would receive one is instead RC.

      This has a number of negative effects of course. For the purposes of this guy one of the most important is that the ratings board which is of course "at arms length from the political process" which is supposed to mean unaffected by politics, but really means unaccountable to voters, despite their generally rather stodgy views do not particularly like banning things. They perhaps feel that banning things is a really rather serious action to take.

      This means that a lot of material which should probably be in the lower end of the R rating band gets pushed down into the MA15+ band, because while it's not exactly appropriate it's not exactly ban worthy either. This means that the upper end of MA15+ is full of a lot of stuff which really isn't necessarily appropriate for someone who is 15 years old to be able to buy on their own without mum and dad being vaguely aware that it's being bought.

      Personally I dislike games like manhunt and the other over the top gore games and wouldn't be at all sad if they had never been made at all, but I also feel that Fallout 3, while I personally loved it, is probably a bit borderline for some younger players. Under the current law games like that get pushed into the MA15+ rating zone when they would probably be more comfortable in the R region(and of course the drug animations could have remained in all copies of the game rather than being cut because of this very reason).

      Atkinson's position is counterproductive to what he actually wants to accomplish.

    6. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by Philip_the_physicist · · Score: 2, Informative

      The point is that a cabinet minister has to consider more than just the views of his electorate, he has to work for the good of the whole state. Approximately 11200 people voted for Michael Atkinson (as their first preference) in the lower house, whereas about 8300 voted for Gamers 4 Croydon as their first preference for the Upper house (just shy of 10000 votes were distributed to their candidate before he was excluded), and several of the other minor parties also support an r18+ rating for games.
      These is also the question of the harm done to South Australia's reputation interstate, especially as the premier has often spoken of the need to attract young interstate migrants to the state.

      The key point is whether those 11000 people voted for him because of his policy on games (unlikely, there was a 14% swing against him, and only a 3% swing to the Family First Party (Christian right and the main "moral guardians") (indeed, Gamers 4 Croydon got more votes there than the FFP, suggesting that censorship wasn't the main issue there).

    7. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by biryokumaru · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It should be obvious to anyone that he believes that the views of his constituency (which BTW is more than just teenaged and 18-25 year old anglophone middle class computer-literate males) are not supportive of a "wider range" of content in video games.

      Let's say that I don't believe in setting aside reservations for Native Americans, or giving them special rights with regard to gambling. I feel that it makes them second class citizens, and stunts their ability to be contributing members of a larger society.

      So I should get a say in what happens to them, right? Just because I have an opinion? Even though eliminating reservations or leaving them be would have virtually no effect on my life what-so-ever?

      Yeah, democracy makes lots of sense...

      Next, you're gonna say I, as a man, can vote on whether female rape victims have the right free counseling, medical care care and an abortion.

      --
      When you're afraid to download music illegally in your own home, then the terrorists have won!
    8. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by Dragonslicer · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I know I will be called a troll for asking this: but how is the SA AG's view on computer games flawed? It should be obvious to anyone that he believes that the views of his constituency (which BTW is more than just teenaged and 18-25 year old anglophone middle class computer-literate males) are not supportive of a "wider range" of content in video games. Given what he does, his decision is quite sensible.

      To cater to the sensibilities of other people, and decide that their needs come before some others, does not necessarily make him "anti" anyone. Just like how if x is not larger than 3, it does not automatically make is smaller than 3, but it could also be equal.

      Even if this is the view of his constituency, you're talking about tyranny of the majority, which is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, problem with a democratic government.

    9. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by ZippyKitty · · Score: 1

      I know I will be called a troll for asking this: but how is the SA AG's view on computer games flawed? It should be obvious to anyone that he believes that the views of his constituency (which BTW is more than just teenaged and 18-25 year old anglophone middle class computer-literate males) are not supportive of a "wider range" of content in video games. Given what he does, his decision is quite sensible.

      The judicial role is to prevent tyranny of the mob. Just because most people don't like it is not reason to ban something (in theory - I know this doesn't hold well in reality). To ban something you need to prove harm to others. Banning things performed in your own home that does not harm others is against most constitutions and against the founding principles of most western democracies. It isn't the AG's role to curry favour with the electorate. It is to prevent the electorate from using superior numbers to squash the minority.

      --
      Time flies like an arrow Fruit flies like a banana
    10. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by Rennt · · Score: 1

      1) Are you really advocating tyranny by majority? Censorship is evil, popular support does not make it OK.
      2) There was no evidence of "majority" support. Maybe Atkinson did believe it, but he certainly wasn't listening to his constituents.
      3) [minor issue] Your gaming demographic is off. The average age is over 25, and most of them are quite computer illiterate.

    11. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by mjwx · · Score: 2, Informative

      Here in Australia, anything which is Refused Classification(RC) is, in effect, banned.

      This is wrong (at the very least misleading), please stop spreading it.

      It is not, emphatically not illegal to posses RC material. It is illegal to sell, hire or publicly exhibit RC material. The classification law covers sale, hire and public exhibition, not possession.

      RC is not effectively banned, there is a separate classification for outright banning which makes it illegal to posses material on this list. It is a specific list not blanket ban as any material without a rating is treated as RC, this includes material that would be rated as E but was never submitted for classification.

      I can personally testify that getting RC material past Australian customs is quite easy, they were more concerned about which country my guitar was made in rather then the DVD's I bought in SE Asia, certainly at least some of which were RC.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    12. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by jythie · · Score: 1

      It is a worthwhile question. A big piece of the answer is that his constituency does not believe in the censoring, even if only a small percentage of them are actively pushing him for the 18+ rating. He is also the lone holdout among other AGs, so his personal opinion is running pretty strongly against, well, everyone. He stopped 'representing' and is instead pushing his personal agenda.

    13. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by mr_snarf · · Score: 1

      Then apparently even websites talking about RC games or other material will be blocked in part or whole.

      Actually, RC computer games will be explicitly left out of the mandatory filtering until a review is finalised on how to classify them. (According to http://openinternet.com.au/learn_more/ anyway)

      --
      printf("Goodbye cruel world!\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b");
    14. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You say that Fallout 3 is borderline for some younger players.

      I honestly think that Fallout 3 definitely should not be played by anybody under 18. That being said, if I alone had to decide to either ban it Australia-wide or give it an MA15+ rating, I would chose the MA15+ rating. This precisely highlights the problem which the lack of an R18+ rating is causing.

      Apparently a majority of the OFLC agree with me, because they also chose the MA15+ option.

      Horror movies often consist of senseless violence with little storyline or morals at all. An overwhelming majority of the violent video games have a great story and some kind of underlying moral lesson, even GTA 4. The problem is that younger minds see the violence and that is all. Fully developed adult minds are a lot more analytical and seek to find the reasons for the violent acts.

      Much of Fallout 3 is about the collapse of society and returning to survival of the fittest / kill or be killed way of life, in addition to the idea of no longer being the at the top of the food chain.

      (This is a spoiler skip to next paragraph to avoid it) GTA 4 is about how decisions you make (such as engaging in a life of crime) can come back to haunt you later. Niko's just married wife is gunned down on the side of the road as they exit the chapel.

      To summarize, adults can find the moral undertones of violent games and the violence can place greater meaning into them. Younger people generally can't see past the violence, and are likely to be affected negatively by it. We need a classification scheme which allows adults to play these games which are designed for them, but the system must also help to protect children from those same games.

      R18+ is the answer.

    15. Re:I know this is a bad idea to ask this by Eskarel · · Score: 1

      Well, let's see. If I download an RC game, I've committed copyright infringement and can be prosecuted, if I buy it oversees and import it then I am breaking the law and can be prosecuted, if someone else imports it and sells or gives it to me they can be prosecuted. About the only way to legally obtain an RC game is to write it yourself, so yes it's a ban.

  8. Just because he quit... by allaunjsilverfox2 · · Score: 1

    DOESN'T mean he'll stop. He may not hold the political office anymore but he may become what Jack Thompson has been for us Americans. A real pain in the ass that doesn't seem to know how to stay down. .

    --
    Restore the madness of youth's lechery
    1. Re:Just because he quit... by mjwx · · Score: 1

      DOESN'T mean he'll stop. He may not hold the political office anymore but he may become what Jack Thompson has been for us Americans. A real pain in the ass that doesn't seem to know how to stay down.

      He'll end up preaching to the same small choir. I doubt he'll get anywhere near the level of attention that Thomson gets. The only significant group of people in Australia who actually care about R18+ gamers are the gamers who want to play R18+ games.

      Of course he could go to the States and do a book tour with Thomson, in that case I pre-emptively, on behalf of all Australians sincerely apologise.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    2. Re:Just because he quit... by ultranova · · Score: 4, Insightful

      He may not hold the political office anymore but he may become what Jack Thompson has been for us Americans. A real pain in the ass that doesn't seem to know how to stay down.

      Thompson is hardly a pain in the ass, as that would require him to be somewhat effective. If anything, his lunatic raving has worked in favour of game players and -publishers, since he makes the anti-gaming side look bad by association.

      --

      Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

    3. Re:Just because he quit... by Mister+Whirly · · Score: 1

      but he may become what Jack Thompson has been for us Americans

      You mean disbarred so he can no longer work in his chosen profession and then become so irrelevant that people that formerly supported him are "distancing themselves" from him as he goes down? Yeah, that would be too bad...

      --
      "But this one goes to 11!"
    4. Re:Just because he quit... by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1
      but he may become what Jack Thompson has been for us Americans. A real pain in the ass that doesn't seem to know how to stay down

      Yeah, a zombie. Or maybe a vampire. Depends upon how intelligent you think he is.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    5. Re:Just because he quit... by Hotawa+Hawk-eye · · Score: 1

      Of course he could go to the States and do a book tour with Thomson, in that case I pre-emptively, on behalf of all Australians sincerely apologise.

      We'll forgive you ... just bring one of the other Aussies that we know out of retirement and send him along to "keep an eye" on the two of them.

  9. ooh yeah! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    AMF and amen!

  10. but don't underestimate... by AliasMarlowe · · Score: 3, Insightful

    ...the potential for evil. There is no guarantee that the replacement will be less clueless or less malevolent towards the pastimes of modern society. With a little good luck, some of Atkinson's stupider decisions and stances will be reversed. Politicians, however, are more adept at finding and deploying bad luck than good.

    --
    Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire
    1. Re:but don't underestimate... by sopssa · · Score: 1

      I don't think it's so easy to find an equivalent to him. He is like Jack Thompson, with an Australian bush hat.

    2. Re:but don't underestimate... by Hognoxious · · Score: 5, Funny

      An asshat with a bush hat?

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    3. Re:but don't underestimate... by Cryacin · · Score: 1

      My kingdom for mod points...

      --
      Science advances one funeral at a time- Max Planck
    4. Re:but don't underestimate... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Jack Thompson, wearing an Australian bush hat:
      http://bit.ly/b74ajA

      (It's the Australian actor Jack Thompson, frequent wearer of bush hats)

  11. Re:Give us a break with the Aussie "stories", huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Nations other than the United States of America? Nations which don't use English as the language of commerce and teaching? Nations which are not based on European culture or otherwise have majority white populations?

  12. Not quit as in quit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Can I make a point here.. he hasn't quit parliament, he's just quit cabinet.. he will still remain a member of Labor's government (or be in Opposition if Labor don't get over the line)..

    I don't think this is quite the scalp everyone is looking for..

    1. Re:Not quit as in quit by Gadget_Guy · · Score: 4, Informative

      I don't think this is quite the scalp everyone is looking for..

      It is good enough. He was the one person in Australia who was preventing the R18+ rating from being introduced. He wasn't just one politician who was against it, he was someone who had veto power over the entire thing. Now that he is out of that key role, the way is clear for all Attorneys General to allow the change to go through.

  13. he's known for opposing the rating not the games by outsider007 · · Score: 1

    It seems to me he's made it easier for kids to get the games.

    --
    If you mod me down the terrorists will have won
  14. April Fools?? by Techman83 · · Score: 1

    I'm sorry, but this is all too good to be true, I had to check the date twice! Now all we need is for Conroy to admit he's completely wrong and step down!

    For a good laugh, you should complete the "Vote Now!" on the left hand side (no login required)

    --
    # cat /dev/mem | strings | grep -i cat
    Damn, my RAM is full of cats. MEOW!!
  15. I know nothing of politics, however,...... by AbRASiON · · Score: 2, Informative

    To my knowledge he didn't 'ban' R18+ games, he simply didn't agree with the vote - which was required by each AG to get it through.
    You could say he effectively banned them but it's more his lack of support than anything.

    Also he stepped back into a backbench role, he's still in politics although yes we do REALLY hope someone with a clue steps up for his old position.
    As a Victorian I'm glad to see him go, the capital of this one state of South Australia, Adelaide is referred to as "the city of churches" (quite seriously) these morons have been causing the rest of the country for too long.

    Now if we can just get rid of this Stephen Conroy idiot, maybe Australia won't be a laughing stock for tech news and articles for a while again.
    Good riddance Atkinson, good riddance.

    1. Re:I know nothing of politics, however,...... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      As a Victorian I'm glad to see him go

      Indeed, my dear chap, it shall be most delightful finally to be permitted to experience uncensored marvels on Mr Babbage's wonderful Difference Engine CCCDX.

    2. Re:I know nothing of politics, however,...... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      From SA here...

      I never knew that Adelaide caused the rest of the country?! Wow! You guys should be kissing our arses then! Give us back our Grand Pricks! :-p

    3. Re:I know nothing of politics, however,...... by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1

      yes we do REALLY hope someone with a clue steps up for his old position.

      The problem with power vacuums is that they tend to suck in people who want power, and they're rarely honest about what they intend to do with that power. I do wish you luck though.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    4. Re:I know nothing of politics, however,...... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As a South Australian, I had no idea that we morons had been causing the country for too long!

      If we did indeed cause the country, shouldn't you be kissing our arses right now? Or at least give us back our Grand Pricks?

    5. Re:I know nothing of politics, however,...... by exomondo · · Score: 2, Informative

      Now if we can just get rid of this Stephen Conroy idiot, maybe Australia won't be a laughing stock for tech news and articles for a while again.

      If possible please help to get the word out to send emails of support to Joe Hockey, an MP who has strongly and vocally opposed the internet filter and is doing a damn good job! If we as a community show support so such people im sure they are likely to continue with those actions!

    6. Re:I know nothing of politics, however,...... by AbRASiON · · Score: 1

      I like how someone (likely a South Australian) tried to mod this troll, sorry mate but the rest of Australia are sick of your shit.

  16. Re:Give us a break with the Aussie "stories", huh? by tagno25 · · Score: 1

    Nations other than the United States of America? Nations which don't use English as the language of commerce and teaching? Nations which are not based on European culture or otherwise have majority white populations?

    Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Russia, India, Brazil, Cuba, Canada, and others. (oh, wait Canada is all of what you said you didn't want)

  17. Re:Give us a break with the Aussie "stories", huh? by Miseph · · Score: 3, Insightful

    "Nations other than the United States of America?"

    I don't know about that...

    "Nations which don't use English as the language of commerce and teaching?"

    Alright, I get it now, you're yanking my chain... you can drop it.

    "Nations which are not based on European culture or otherwise have majority white populations?"

    Is that supposed to be some kind of sick joke? Well, it's not funny if it is.

    Seriously though, such nations and cultures are more than welcome to have websites dealing with whatever issues they like in whatever language they like... many already do. Slashdot does not have to be that site. In fact, it doesn't even have to be a site most white, English speaking Americans are interested in.

    I see your observation that Slashdot does not cater to the demographic of "everybody in the world" and raise you the observation that "it doesn't have to, and probably shouldn't".

    --
    Try not to take me more seriously than I take myself.
  18. Sad result for Gamers4Croydon by Gadget_Guy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It wasn't a great election result for Gamers4croydon, who were standing against the Attorney General on the platform of allowing R18+ ratings. They only received 3.7% of the vote. In fact, there were more informal (or invalid) votes at 5%.

    Still, they will be happy with the final outcome, even if it wasn't a victory for grass roots campaigning.

    1. Re:Sad result for Gamers4Croydon by Swampash · · Score: 1

      I'm a South Australian voter and I'm proud to say I voted for Gamers4Croydon. My vote may have been insignificant but I still feel that it was important.

    2. Re:Sad result for Gamers4Croydon by Arbition · · Score: 1

      At least they beat Trevor Grace (AbortSA) in the upper house. Now we just need an Attorney General who isn't as morally backward as the last (That is, not so influenced by faith).

    3. Re:Sad result for Gamers4Croydon by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      More importantly were the Greens coming in third all over the place, becoming the alternate to Labour rather than going to the right. In this case the right wanted to buy 500 tasers to tackle anyone they deemed as hooligans, the electric whip and so called conservatives always seem to go hand in hand. The reality is of course their is nothing conservative about using torture devices on citizens that is purely the field of radicals and fundamentalists.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    4. Re:Sad result for Gamers4Croydon by Orteko · · Score: 3, Interesting

      To be fair they always had an uphill battle.

      Atkinsons seat is one of the safest around - G4C's vote isn't actually half bad, they beat a large amount of minor parties and independents in the legaslative council.

    5. Re:Sad result for Gamers4Croydon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're right, rate is so low.
      alisveris

  19. One step forward for internet freedom... by matunos · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    ...two steps backwards for global warming.

    (Then again, the "massive swing" was apparently in two of Australia's smaller states, with larger elections on the horizon.)

  20. Game over Michael by mjwx · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Victory. /administrator voice

    Shock Horror, the system worked. Sorry for the rant but after numerous threads about the issue and countless uniformed "why don't you Aussies do something" posts I think we can are entitled to a little schadenfreude. We dealt with Atkinson within the system. I wonder how Conroy is feeling about now, between the censorship and NBN debacle he hasn't many people left who like him enough to vote for him.

    However we can be certain the people behind Atkinson who are the driving the anti-game agenda aren't quitting as easily but still, this is a step in the right direction and I think it will be very hard for the puritans to replace Atkinson on the ratings board.

    --
    Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    1. Re:Game over Michael by bloodhawk · · Score: 1

      I reduce at that prick being thrown out, but I am not calling it a victory or that the system works until I hear his replacement is not a self righteous prick that puts his own views before that of the people./

    2. Re:Game over Michael by srjh · · Score: 1

      I wonder how Conroy is feeling about now, between the censorship and NBN debacle he hasn't many people left who like him enough to vote for him.

      As long as Conroy retains top billing in the Senate, he doesn't have much reason to worry. He's considerably less popular than other Labor senators, but because of internal factional politics, he's pretty much guaranteed top billing.

      An overwhelming majority of Labor voters will mark "1" above the line and think nothing of it, if Conroy goes, it will be because Labor, not Australia as a whole, pushes him.

    3. Re:Game over Michael by Lunzo · · Score: 1

      This has nothing to do with the system or R18+ video games. RTFA. Atkinson moved to the back bench to let younger blood take over and to spend more time with his family.

    4. Re:Game over Michael by mjwx · · Score: 1

      An overwhelming majority of Labor voters will mark "1" above the line and think nothing of it, if Conroy goes, it will be because Labor, not Australia as a whole, pushes him.

      Until Conroy's seat comes up for re-election. I don't know if Conroy is up for re-election this term or not.

      I would say it's quite possible that Conroy will be "pushed" by Rudd after the next election, first they bought in Kate Lundy to act as his understudy then they start giving more air time to Lundy and using Lundy to water down Conroy's unpopular policies. There is no doubt that Conroy is an embarrassment to Rudd especially with the way the Media is reporting his involvement with the NBN but it is too politically inconvenient to move him now and show weakness right before the next election.

      So come 17 April next year (at the latest, I reckon heavy kevie will call an election for Nov 2010) Conroy will likely be thrown under the political bus, at the very least moved to the relatively unimportant position of minister for lost socks. Yes Labor has to do the actual work, but we can insist that it happens.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    5. Re:Game over Michael by mjwx · · Score: 1

      This has nothing to do with the system or R18+ video games. RTFA. Atkinson moved to the back bench to let younger blood take over and to spend more time with his family

      Wow,

      Do you believe everything you read in the papers?

      That is just Atkinson's justification after the fact, he either had to quit with dignity or be forced out in shame by his own party.

      This has to do with the 7% swing against Labor in South Australia and the 14% swing in Atkinson's seat of Croydon. Anything else is just PR fluff.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    6. Re:Game over Michael by Tri · · Score: 1

      Conroy is a senator. His electorate is the whole of Victoria.

      Since almost everyone votes for the party (above the line) there are two possibilities that will result in him loosing his seat: a) he's moved from his current top position in the labor list to #3 or #4. It's still possible for him to get elected again if he's at #3 but unlikely. He's currently one of the leaders of the Labor Right faction in the Labor party, so even going from #1 to #2 position is unlikely.

      b) is for Labor to get less than 1/6 of the vote in Victoria and then still not get anywhere with preferences which is quite unlikely.

  21. Re:he's known for opposing the rating not the game by TheTurtlesMoves · · Score: 1

    In Aussie, if its unrated, it can't be sold. It was used as a way of censoring without calling that.

    --
    The Grey Goo disaster happened 3 billion years ago. This rock is covered in self replicating machines!
  22. Re:Give us a break with the Aussie "stories", huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Believe it or not the US is not the centre of the universe, shall we count how many are from the US and from Australia or any other country for that matter? Fact is, this a progress update on an ongoing and relevant topic.

  23. The battle will never be over by romiz · · Score: 2, Informative

    And in the meanwhile, in Switzerland, politicians have passed the first step for making a law targeting all games that "require cruel acts of violence against humans and humanlike creatures for in-game success”. The objective of this law is to make it forbidden to produce, advertise, import, sell or distribute such games. It seems, however, that this is not the final vote, and there is a real possibility that public outrage, from gamers as well as games companies, could bring the politicians to back down on this, and simply make it forbidden in the law to sell 18-rated PEGI games to minors.

    1. Re:The battle will never be over by Rennt · · Score: 1

      targeting games that "require cruel acts of violence against humans and humanlike creatures for in-game success”

      Interesting wording. They may be seeking not to ban depiction of violent behaviour, but rather to ban the REWARD of it.

      I can actually see the merit in the distinction, but banning of course is going to far.

  24. Gardening. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Victoria, Australia.

    1. Re:Gardening. by Lunzo · · Score: 1

      Whoosh!

      Mod GP up please.

  25. Knowing your enemy by nurb432 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Is far better then the unknown.

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
  26. Not only games by Ninth+Marion · · Score: 3, Informative

    Atkinson's censorship of games is a part of a pattern of behaviour. This is the man who also passed a law making anonymous speech illegal specifically for this election campaign.
    He then had the cheek, after intense criticism, to say if he was re-elected he'd remove it after the election. It's likely that this was more damaging to the Labor party in this election than the R18 issue.

    I am very happy to hear he no longer holds office, as I detest the man and what he stands for. Australia is now a slightly better place. Next up, hopefully, Conroy and the internet filter.

    1. Re:Not only games by Stropp · · Score: 1

      Atkinson still holds office. He was re-elected to the South Australian parliament and will have some say in government policy as a result. He's simply standing down as AG and is now on the backbench, ie, not holding a ministerial post. He's also a powerbroker for one of the factions, which is why he was made AG in the first place and why he held that position for so long.

      From what he's said, he'll be retiring at the next election. He said that it would be irresponsible to force a by-election at this time when the Labor party held government by such a slim margin.

      Atkinson has been in parliament for over 20 years. It's entirely possible that he simply wants to retire, especially if he was pushed out of the AG position, but cannot because it would hurt the party. Although it is a safe Labor seat and his replacement would win it easily at a by-election.

      One very interesting thing though. His promise to remove the censorship of anonymous political comment now cannot be fulfilled because he is no longer AG. I wonder if his successor will honor that promise...

  27. Great news by sphazell · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This is good lets hope the guy never again gets into a position where he can threaten our freedoms and liberty. Not only was he against the R classification for games but he was also an advocate for Internet and press censorship.

  28. Re:Give us a break with the Aussie "stories", huh? by Miseph · · Score: 1

    How so? I have nothing against other people, I simply acknowledge that we are simply different.

    I am not fluent in Swedish, I have no interest in becoming fluent in Swedish, and it is of only very little interest to me what is happening in Sweden, and I expect that a non-English-speaking Swede feels very similarly about where I live. For what possible reason should either of us feel obligated to visit the same websites or take the same interests?

    Bigotry doesn't mean what you think it means.

    --
    Try not to take me more seriously than I take myself.
  29. Re:Give us a break with the Aussie "stories", huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The site byline doesn't read "News for English speaking Americans, Stuff that Matters", does it?

  30. Couldn't we just send Saxton Hale. by mjwx · · Score: 1

    Given the subject matter it would be appropriate.

    --
    Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  31. Re:Give us a break with the Aussie "stories", huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The sub-title for this website is "News for nerds, stuff that matters", how does this not fall into that category? Also, for your information, lots of Australians read this website and find this news very interesting - me included.

  32. 1211 of 1254 polled are happy to see him gone by bug1 · · Score: 2, Informative

    The poll results from the mentioned article are below, 96% want him gone, he should have been pushed a long time ago, but at least he knows his time is up.

    Thanks for voting!
    Are you happy that Michael Atkinson will no longer be South Australia's Attorney-General?

            * Yes 96.57% (1211 votes)
            * No 3.43% (43 votes)

    Total votes: 1254

  33. There's good news and bad news... by FatLittleMonkey · · Score: 1

    Of course, in Westminster parliamentary politics, resigning from the front bench is often the first move in positioning yourself to challenge for the leadership of the party...

    --
    Science is all about firing a drunk pig out of a cannon just to see what happens.
  34. Re:he's known for opposing the rating not the game by deek · · Score: 1

    Actually, the majority of refused classification games are modified, or classification appealed. Then they're moved to a lower rating, thus allowing kids to get the games.

    There are, of course, a few examples of games where that didn't work. The majority make it through, though.

  35. Not the victory we were hoping for by LuNa7ic · · Score: 1
    A lot of people here apparently haven't bothered to read even the summary, and as such are assuming we took a stand and kicked this guy out of office. This isn't true. Michael Atkinson won the election easily, and then announced he wouldn't be taking the job anyway, instead moving to a back-bench position in the Labour government to retire in 2014.

    Yes, the arsehole is going, but no, we didn't beat him. The vast majority of voters, as always, don't know or care about these issues, so the battle is far from won.

    For the record, his attitude towards video games aren't the only reason we want to be rid of him. The man has a history of saying stupid things in an an official capacity that come back to bite him. He accused a blogger of being a non-existent sock puppet for Liberal party criticism, and he lied about a bikie gang supposedly barbecuing a cat to threaten him. I'm sure you all remember him banning anonymous political speech in the lead up to the recent elections as well...

    --
    *runs*
  36. Driven by fear of the unknown by jandersen · · Score: 1

    Hopefully someone with half a clue will assume the vacant post and overturn the decision to ban adult oriented computer games

    Wasn't that the problem in the first place, that this was someone with only half a clue?

    This is so often the case, that people only understand enough to get scared or decide that they don't like it; I suspect we all do it, sometimes - I know I do. The thing is - that kind of people are also valuable members of society, and in a democracy we have to try to find a compromise that accomodates the interests of at least a majority of people.

    To me it seems that the importance of games is hugely overstated. A computer game is only entertainment, and the problem I see is not about whether some games should be banned, but how we get people away from passive entertainment and into active participation in physical activity.

  37. Importing RC is ILEGAL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Importing RC is illegal - you most certainly could have been warned/fined/jailed for importing RC material! I might be legal to possess, but if they take away any legal means to obtain it (via Internet censorship) then they are doing the same thing.

  38. Re:Give us a break with the Aussie "stories", huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Believe it or not the US is not the centre of the universe

    As an American, I must disagree with you. We are, in fact, the center of the known Universe.

    Lighten up, you anti-American mods. He was making a joke at American's expense.

  39. my brethren by shnull · · Score: 1

    Let us celebrate the demise of this fossil, for this is truly, a great day for gamers !! 3 cheers for gore !!!

    --
    beware he who denies you access to information for in his mind, he already deems himself to be your master (SMAC-ish)
  40. Re:Give us a break with the Aussie "stories", huh? by Miseph · · Score: 1

    No, should it?

    I don't go on Orkut and bitch that everyone is from Brazil, and nothing on the website specifies it is for Brazilians... but that's sometimes how things turn out.

    Slashdot has the content that it has, serves the people that it serves, and the people who complain that it does not meet their tastes are perfectly within their rights to find another website that does. That is true regardless of whether those differing interests involve preference, cultural background, location, language, political views, educational background, or whatever other point of discrimination you can think of. That is neither inherently wrong nor inherently right, but it IS the way things actually work.

    I don't care if there are more stories about Australia or not, so long as the stories that show up are interesting to me (and some of the ones about Australia are) I will keep reading and commenting. But the people who bitch that this site caters overwhelmingly to English speakers, Americans, Europeans and and Australians (generally in that order), and ignores $foo_culture or $foo_interest have the totally wrong idea.

    --
    Try not to take me more seriously than I take myself.