Pirate Party Australia welcomes several of the recommendations put by the Australian Law Reform Commission in regard to reforming the current classification system.

The ALRC’s final report includes several recommendations that are in line with the Pirate Party’s policies, proving that the Party’s policies are not as extremist as often made out to be. In one instance, Telstra agreed with the Pirate Party on the issue of voluntary industry classifications.

Other recommendations that the Pirate Party are pleased with are the recommendations that all commercial computer games that are likely to be MA15+ or higher must be classified. The report also recommends that all media must be classified according to a platform neutral system that would end discrepancy between various mediums whilst not extending to various non-commercial and user generated content media, as well as the suggestion that the ‘Refused Classification’ category be replaced with the more appropriate ‘Prohibited’ category.

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Pirate Party Australia are dismayed by the perpetual delays regarding the introduction of an R18+ classification for video games.

The Party applauded the introduction of a bill to Parliament last Wednesday that would finally create an R18+ classification for video games[1]. The Government appears to have listened to the overwhelming public support for a new rating system that caters to the ever expanding video game market. Many games that would previously have been squeezed under the bar into the misleading MA15+ rating can now receive a more appropriate, far more informing rating.

“I am enthusiastic about an R18+ rating for video games entering our system. It will provide a far superior rating system for parents. However, it is important to watch this space closely, as poorly formed classification guidelines have the potential to create no greater flexibility, with ‘refused classification’ games such as Syndicate, that are perfectly legal to purchase and play around the world, to remain banned here in Australia,” commented David Campbell, President of Pirate Party Australia.

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According to the Australian¹ the Australian Labor Party have announced that they plan to force app developers to submit games and apps to the censors. The Pirate Party condemns this move as completely unworkable and a direct assault on the software industry.

“With the announcement that the government plans to force app developers to submit their works to the Australian censors, any credibility the ALP have in dealing with the digital environment has been torn to shreds. Apps are globally developed and available. Many developers work from home as a hobby and cannot afford the cost of classification, especially if they need clearance with each country separately as would occur if other countries followed Australia’s lead,” said Pirate Party Australia spokesperson, Simon Frew.

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