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Wikipedia

Australian Classification Board

The Australian Classification Board (ACB or CB) is an Australian government statutory body responsible for the classification and censorship of films, video games and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in Australia. The ACB was established in 1970 and was once part of the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC), which was dissolved in 2006. The Department of Communications and the Arts provided administrative support to the ACB from 2006 until 2020, when it was merged into the 'mega department' of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. Decisions made by the ACB may be reviewed by the Australian Classification Review Board.[1] The ACB now operates under the Commonwealth Classification Act 1995. The ACB is made up of a director, a deputy director, and three other board members, appointed by the government for three- or four-year terms, and temporary board members.[2] The ACB is located in Sydney, New South Wales.

Classification Board
Agency overview
Formed1970; 53 years ago (1970) (as Australian Classification Board)
JurisdictionCommonwealth of Australia
Minister responsible
Parent agencyDepartment of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (current parent agency), Department of Communications and the Arts (until 2020), OFLC (until 2006), Australian Classification Review Board (sister agency)
Websitewww.classification.gov.au

The ACB does not directly censor material by ordering cuts or changes. However, it is able to effectively censor media by refusing classification and making the media illegal for hire, exhibition and importation to Australia.

The classification system has several levels of "restricted" categories, prohibiting sale, exhibition or use of some materials to those who are under a prescribed age. In 2005, video and computer games became subject to the same classification ratings and restrictions as films (with the exception of the R18+ and X18+ ratings), in response to confusion by parents.[3] Despite a line in the National Classification Code stating that "adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want", the adult R18+ classification was not applied to video games in Australia until 1 January 2013.[4]

Some films (those made for educational or training purposes, for instance) are exempt from classification under certain conditions. Film festivals and institutions such as Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) may apply to the ACB for an exemption from classification for the purpose of screening at a particular film festival or event. If the ACB believes an unclassified work, in their estimation, would receive an X18+ classification if it were to be classified they would not grant an exemption for public screening, as an X18+ cannot be exhibited. The ACB may require film festivals to have age-restricted entrance to a festival or screening.

History

The Australian Classification Board was created in 1970 to classify or rate all films (and later in 1994, video games) that came into Australia. In the early years of the system, beginning in November 1971, there were four ratings.

  • G for " general audiences"
  • PG for "parental guidance suggested for under 15"
  • M for "suggested for 13 and over" (later became M 15+ from the late 1980s until 2005)
  • R for "restricted exhibition"[5] (previously SOA or "suitable only for adults". This later became R 18+ in the late 1980s)

The MA 15+ rating was introduced in 1993, to flag content that was too strong for the M classification, but not so much so that the content should be restricted only to persons over the age of 18.[5]

The Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) was reorganised in 1994, and oversaw the ACB. In 2005 the OFLC was dissolved and supervision of the ACB transferred to the attorney-general's department.

The current colour-coded classification markings for films and computer games were introduced in May 2005.[6]

In August 2014, the ACB introduced amendments to allow for the automated classification process employed by the International Age Rating Coalition. This new process reduces the costs of video game developers as they seek to obtain ratings for their products that are distributed digitally online.[7]

Overview

The board operates on a procedure that primarily involves decision-making. The members must communicate their views clearly and appreciate the views of others. Board members would be exposed to a wide range of material, including content that is confronting and offensive. Every film and computer game has to be classified before it can be legally made available to the public. Some publications also need to be classified. Failure to give classification (especially for unclassified material that is likely to be classified RC) is an implicit ban (except for exempt films, games, and publications). It is an offence "to display, demonstrate, sell, hire, publicly exhibit or advertise a film or computer game" without having it classified. Some films and documentaries (such as current affairs and those created for business, scientific and education purposes) are exempt from classification unless, if classified, they would be M or above.[8]

There are legal age restrictions for the ratings of MA 15+ and R 18+. X 18+ is a special restriction rating for adult content. X 18+ is limited only to films, and the highest rating for video games remains R 18+.[9] Should a game contain content not suitable for or exceeding the boundaries of an R 18+ rating (often explicit sexual content or nudity), that game is usually either modified (censored) or, rarely, refused classification (banned) (an exception to this was made for The Last of Us Part II, where the game was not censored despite containing nudity).[10] The other classification categories (G, PG and M) are merely recommendations and they are not submitted to legal age restrictions. RC (banned) material cannot be sold, hired or distributed to any persons. A film or video game's context is crucial in determining whether a classifiable element is justified by the story-line or themes.

The ACB decides what consumer advice accompanies each classification. They indicate the elements in films and computer games which caused the classification and help consumers make choices about what they read, view or play. There are six classifiable elements for films: themes (rape, suicide, racism, etc.), violence (the level of violence and how threatening it is in its context), sex (intercourse and references to sex), language (the level of coarse language), drug use (the use of, and references to, drugs) and nudity (the explicitness of nudity). Consumer advice appears with the classification symbol on products, packaging and in advertisements. Consumer advice is not given if the element in question would be acceptable at a lower classification.[11] By August 2020, the ACB added another category for video games related to microtransactions, with any game including them listing in-game purchases alongside these other themes.[12]

The ACB also classifies material submitted by the police, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and the Australian Communications and Media Authority. The board does not classify live performances, audio CDs and television shows. Television is regulated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.[13] Film classification also normally applies to Internet streaming services. In January 2019, for the first time, Netflix was given the go-ahead to self-regulate film and television classification on its streaming platform, allowing the company to rank content between G and R18+.[14]

Film and video game classifications

Unrestricted/Advisory

The classifications below are unrestricted and may suggest parental advisory, but do not impose any legal restrictions on access to or distribution of material.[15][16]

Classification Description
   
Exempt (E)
Only very specific types of material (including educational material and artistic performances) can be exempted from classification, and the material cannot contain anything that exceeds the constraints of the PG classification.[17] The assessment of exemption may be made by the distributor or exhibitor (self-assessed) without needing to submit the product for certification by the ACB. Self-assessed exempt films cannot use the official marking although it is advised that films and computer games that are self-assessed as exempt display, "This film/computer game is exempt from classification".
   
General (G)
Contains material available for general viewing, i.e. suitable for viewing by persons of all ages. This category does not necessarily designate a children's film or game. Although not mandatory at this category, the board may provide consumer information. Consumer advice at G classification usually relates to impacts on very young children. The content is very mild in impact.
  • Themes should have a very low sense of threat or menace, and be justified by context.
  • Violence should have only a low sense of threat or menace, and be justified by context.
  • Sexual activity should be very mild and very discreetly implied, and be justified by context.
  • Coarse language should be very mild and infrequent and justified by context.
  • Drug use should be implied only very discreetly, and be justified by context.
  • Nudity should be justified by context.
   
Parental Guidance (PG)
Contains material that is not recommended for viewing by persons under the age of 15 without guidance from parents or guardians. This category includes material that younger viewers may find confusing or upsetting. The content is mild in impact.
  • Themes should have a very low sense of threat or menace, and be justified by context.
  • Violence should be mild and infrequent, and be justified by context. Sexual violence is not permitted.
  • Sexual activity should be mild and discreetly implied, and be justified by context.
  • Coarse language should be mild and infrequent, and be justified by context.
  • Sex, nudity and drug use should be mild, infrequent, "discreetly implied" and "justified by context".
  • Drug use and nudity should be justified by context.
   
Mature (M)
Contains material that is recommended for viewing by persons aged 15 years and over. However, people under 15 may legally access such material since this category carries no legal restrictions. This category includes material that may require a mature perspective, but is not deemed too strong for younger viewers. The content is moderate in impact, although in recent years, the "moderate" indicator prefix is omitted from the consumer advice, e.g. "moderate violence" is referred to as "violence".
  • Themes may have a moderate sense of threat or menace, if justified by context.
  • Moderate violence is permitted, if "justified by context". Sexual violence should be very limited and justified by context.
  • Sexual activity should be discreetly implied, if "justified by context".
  • Coarse language may be used. Aggressive or strong coarse language should be infrequent and justified by context.
  • Drug use and nudity should be justified by context.

Restricted

By contrast, the classifications below are legally restricted: it is illegal to sell or exhibit material classified to anyone younger than the mentioned minimum age.[15][16]

Classification Description
   
Mature Accompanied (MA 15+)
Contains material that is considered unsuitable for exhibition to persons under the age of 15. People under 15 may legally purchase, rent, exhibit or view such content, but only under the supervision of a parent or adult guardian. A person may be asked to show proof of age before purchasing or hiring an MA 15+ film or computer game at a retail store or cinema. The content is strong in impact.
  • Realistic violence of medium intensity is permitted. Violent depictions with a "high degree or realism" is accepted only if "justified by context". Stylised violence, however, can be "more detailed".
  • Strong violence is permitted, although if it is bloody and strong it should be "infrequent" or "justified by context".
  • Sexual violence is permitted only if it is "not frequent, gratuitous or exploitative".
  • Sexual activity may be "discreetly implied" or "simulated".
  • Nudity is permitted, but in a sexual context it should "not be exploitative".
  • Frightening or intense scenes should "not disturb a reasonable adult".
  • Aggressive and very strong coarse language may be used but it should "not be exploitative".
  • Drug use may be depicted, but not in an "advocatory manner".
  • Themes, if strong, should be justified by context.
   
Restricted (R 18+)
Contains material that is considered unsuitable for exhibition to persons under the age of 18. People under 18 may not legally purchase, rent, exhibit or view R 18+ classified content. A person may be asked for proof of age before purchasing, hiring or viewing an R 18+ film or computer game at a retail store or cinema. Some material classified R 18+ may be offensive to sections of the adult community. The content is high in impact.
  • Realistic and explicit depictions of violence are permitted, but violence that is "frequently gratuitous, cruel, exploitative and offensive to a reasonable adult" is not.
  • Themes can have a "very high degree of intensity" but should not be "exploitative".
  • Sexual violence is permitted only to the extent that it is "necessary to the narrative" and "not exploitative" or "not shown in detail".
  • Sexual activity can be "realistically simulated", but depictions of "actual sexual activity" are not permitted. However, several films containing artistic depictions of real sexual activity such as Romance and Nymphomaniac have been passed with the R18+ classification.
  • Drug use can be shown but "not gratuitously detailed" and should also "not be promoted or encouraged". For computer games, drug use related to "incentives and rewards" is not permitted.
  • Nudity in a sexual context should "not include obvious genital contact".
  • Coarse language is virtually unrestricted.
   
Restricted (X 18+)
Contains material that is pornographic in nature. People under 18 may not legally purchase, rent, possess, exhibit or view these films. The exhibition or sale of these films to people under the age of 18 years is a criminal offence carrying a maximum fine of $5,500. Films classified as X 18+ are banned (via state government legislation) from being sold or rented in all Australian states (but are legal to possess except in certain parts of the Northern Territory) and are legally available to purchase only in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Importing X 18+ material from these territories to any other state is legal (as the Australian Constitution forbids any restrictions on trade between the states and territories). The content is sexually explicit, and the rating cannot be given to video games.
  • This rating applies to films that "depict unsimulated sexual content only". Depictions of sexual violence, coercion and "sexually assaultive" language are not allowed in the category. Fetishes such as body piercing, "golden showers", bondage, spanking or fisting are also not permitted.

Other labels

Classification Description
 
Refused Classification (RC)
Contains material that, while being, in most cases, legal to possess, is considered offensive to the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by a "reasonable adult" to the extent that it should not be classified. Classification is mandatory, and films that are refused classification by the ACB are legally banned from sale, hire or public exhibition, carrying a maximum fine of $275,000 and 10 years in prison if an individual or organisation is found to be in breach of this. It is, however, legal to possess RC films and games for people over 18 (except in Western Australia and certain parts of the Northern Territory) unless they contain illegal content (such as child pornography). The content is very high in impact.
  • Films and games that exceed the X 18+ and R 18+ ratings (respectively) are refused classification by the ACB. Content that may be refused classification includes, but is not limited to:
    • detailed instruction or promotion in matters of crime or violence
    • the promotion or provision of instruction in paedophile activity
    • descriptions or depictions of child sexual abuse or any other exploitative or offensive descriptions or depictions involving a person who is, or appears to be, a child under 18 years
    • Gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of:
      • violence with a very high degree of impact or which are excessively frequent, prolonged or detailed
      • cruelty or real violence which are very detailed or which have an extremely high impact
      • sexual violence
    • Depictions of practices such as bestiality, necrophilia or other practices that are considered revolting or abhorrent
    • Gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of:
      • activity accompanied by fetishes or practices that are offensive or abhorrent
      • incest fantasies or other fantasies that are offensive or abhorrent
   
Check the Classification (CTC)
The content has been assessed and approved for advertising unclassified films and computer games. "This film has advertising approval. Check the classification closer to the released date" is usually written on the marking.
  • Any advertising of unclassified films and games must display the CTC message on posters, trailers, on the Internet, and any other types of advertising.
  • Once the content is classified, the classification marking replaces the CTC marking on all advertising material.

Literature ratings

Publications such as books and magazines (though they would also include other printed media such as calendars, cards and catalogues) are required to be classified if they contain depictions or descriptions of sexuality, drugs, nudity or violence that are unsuitable for a minor or an adult who would take offence if sold as an unrestricted publication.

Publication classifications are most commonly applied to magazines with visual depictions of nudity or sexual activity, such as many men's magazines. It is uncommon for these ratings to appear on books, even those dealing with adult themes, except in the most controversial cases.

Classification Description
 

Unrestricted

 Unrestricted with the consumer advice M (Mature)

These publications are unrestricted, although they are not recommended for readers under 15 years.
 Category 1 Restricted (CAT 1) These publications are not available to persons under 18 years. These may contain images of sexualised nudity. They must be distributed in a sealed wrapper. Their covers must be suitable for public display.
 Category 2 Restricted (CAT 2) Just like Category 1 Restricted restricted publications, they are not available to persons under 18 years. However, they contain explicit images of actual sexual activity which are not permissible under Category 1 Restricted, and may only be displayed in sites that are restricted to adults. Therefore, no publications that are likely to be classified Category 2 Restricted restricted may be displayed in public registered events.
 Refused Classification (RC) RC publications are banned and cannot be sold or displayed anywhere in Australia.

The restricted publications are for adults and they are not to be sold to people under 18 (and in Queensland under state law). They have content, such as nudity or explicit sexual content, that could offend some sections of the adult community. The restricted categories are subject to various restrictions in different states; for example, one or both categories may only be sold in adults-only premises in certain states. For this reason, some adult magazines are published in two editions in Australia, or just one edited edition which can be sold anywhere with a warning, as unrestricted mature.

Proposals

Age reference removal

In February 2020, the board proposed to remove the reference to 15 years for PG and M classifications and simply just refer to the severity of the material. This is due to a confusion that is caused by each of the categories citing to a 15-year-old, in addition to both the PG and M content not being recommended for persons under 15 years. The age reference created confusion for parents and guardians, creating some questions, such as why an M level film can still be accessed by a person under 15 without guidance because it is not a legally restricted category, when the impact of its material is higher than that of PG material. There is a confusion for people that comes from knowing the suited audience for PG, M and MA 15+ films and games due to their definitions that revolve around 15 years of age. The notes in the guidelines that come with the PG, M and MA ratings should be read like this:[18]

  • PG: "Content classified PG may not be of interest to a child or young person. Some content may contain material which some children and young people may find confusing or upsetting and parental guidance is recommended."
  • M: "Content classified M is not suitable for children. Parental guidance may be required for young people."
  • MA 15+: "Content classified MA 15+ is legally restricted to people aged 15 years and over. However, young people aged under 15 years can legally access this content when accompanied by an adult who may need to provide guidance. "

New rating category

In February 2020, the board had suggested the adoption of a PG-13-type classification category, which is a rating aimed at young teens (between PG and M), that addresses the mild+ impact level material. Its adoption was suggested because many films in recent years surpass what conforms to the PG rating and are, consequentially, pushed up into an M ("moderate impact") rating category due to their dark themes and peril, despite being films aimed at younger teens. The mild+ category, if introduced, could excel the mild impact level (PG), but not so as to require a mature perspective (M classification) and it could be relevant for films with a more significant amount of action or fantasy violence. If the rating is implemented, the non-restricted classifications would read like this:[18]

  • G – General (very mild impact)
  • PG – Parental guidance (mild impact)
  • Young person (mild+ impact)
  • M – Mature (moderate impact)

This would mean the age restrictive numbers (15 and 18) would only be present for the legally-restricted categories of MA 15+, R 18+ and X 18+. The ACB is not suggesting that the new PG-13 rating would be applied retrospectively, but rather prospectively, as was the case when the MA 15+ category was initiated and when the R 18+ was adopted for video games. The ACB is also not planning to use the PG-13 title for the new classification category, but a title that does not reference any age, such as YP for "young person" (or, likely, T for "teenager").[18]

Literature classification

The ACB considers the present classification categories for publications to be redundant, complex, and inappropriate for the digital world. Therefore, the board has proposed the creation of the equivalent film and games classifications of M, R 18+ and X 18+ for publications, like:[18]

  • Unrestricted publication classification – M
  • Category 1 Restricted publication classification – R 18+
  • Category 2 Restricted publication classification – X 18+

Controversies

Film

  • Pasolini's Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom has twice been banned in Australia. The Home Affairs Minister, Brendan O'Connor, asked the Classification Review Board to reassess the decision;[19] however, the review failed to find any fault in the classification. The film was banned in 1997, and was released after two failed attempts in September 2010, when the ACB classified an uncut version of Salò R18+, mainly due to extra material providing greater context.
  • In 1992, Island World Communications Ltd and Manga Entertainment Australia Ltd had Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend submitted to the OFLC. It was the first animated feature to be banned in Australia and the feature was banned outright, similar to Violence Jack. Urotsukidoji was then censored to meet the OFLC's standards. The Australian version is the most censored in the Western world. Many fans of anime imported uncensored versions of Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend from the UK. The rest of the Urotsukidoji series was censored in Australia, with many still importing or downloading the American versions.
  • Ninja Scroll was originally released in 1994 in Australia by Manga Entertainment Ltd. It originally had the MA15+ rating on the VHS, but this was overturned in 1997 when Phillip Ruddock had the anime reviewed after an uncut screening of the movie on the SBS. A few months later it was given an R18+ rating and was uncut, then edited again, eventually using the BBFC cut of it. This was overturned in 2003 when Madman Entertainment and Manga Entertainment Ltd. released the uncut version.
  • Romance, a new crop within the arthouse genre, which features short scenes of actual sex began to attract closer scrutiny. The film was initially refused classification in Australia, before it was awarded an R18+ on appeal.[20] It single-handedly paved the way for actual sex to be accommodated in the R18+ classification in Australia.[20]
  • Baise-moi, a French film about two prostitutes who take violent revenge after being raped.[21] In 2000, the film was classified as R18+. On 10 May 2002, The film was subsequently banned and pulled from cinemas and still remains prohibited in Australia to this day due to exploitative and offensive depictions of sexual violence, extreme violence and depictions of behavior and fetishes that are considered offensive or abhorrent.[22]
  • Ken Park, an American film about teenagers that features a scene of autoerotic asphyxiation, amongst other sexually explicit scenes.[23] The ban, however, is actually due to exploitative sexual depiction of minors, which is a criminal offence in Australia. In response to the ban, a protest screening was held which was shut down by the police.[24]
    • Prominent movie reviewer Margaret Pomeranz, then host of The Movie Show on the SBS, was arrested (and later cautioned and released) along with several others after attempting to screen at a hall what she described as "a wonderful film".[25] Tom Gleisner, host of The Panel (a prime-time comedy show), openly stated on the show that he had downloaded and watched the film.
    • Former New South Wales Premier Bob Carr stated that he thought the banning of Ken Park and other films was inappropriate, and that his attorney-general, Bob Debus, would discuss changing the laws with other state attorneys-general at an upcoming meeting.[26]
  • In October 2017 the classification board was described as homophobic by Luke Buckmaster on flicks.com.au for classifying the film Tom of Finland as R18+ for high impact sexualised imagery and nudity. The board disputed the allegation, stating that it had classified the film in accordance with its published guidelines and that the distributor had sought R18+ conditions for its screenings at the 2017 Scandinavian Film Festival. Buckmaster also compared what he perceived to be the board's heavy-handed approach unfavorably to Netflix, which he argued was permitted to regulate its own content. The board disagreed with this comparison, noting that it was piloting a scheme to streamline the classification of Netflix content in Australia.[27]

Video games

Video gaming censorship in Australia is considered to be one of the strictest in the Western world.[28] Such controversial and noteworthy cases include:

  • Grand Theft Auto III was withdrawn from sale for allowing players to have sexual intercourse with prostitutes; the game was later reinstated when this action was removed. Specifically, the player could solicit intercourse from a prostitute, and then kill her. The ability to solicit sex from prostitutes in the game was the action that was removed, but in-game characters and pedestrians could still violently murder them. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was also pre-censored for the same reasons. Though, in 2010 Vice City was classified uncut again receiving an MA15+ and an uncensored version of GTA 3 was given an R18+ in 2019.[29]
  • Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was withdrawn from sale in July 2005 following the revelation that an interactive sex minigame was included in the content files on the game's disc; one could not ordinarily access this, but a third party modification, known as the Hot Coffee mod, allowed the player to access the minigame and the inclusion of the scenes on the game disc took the game outside the MA15+ category. The MA15+ rating was re-instated after a modified version was released worldwide by Rockstar Games, removing the content files for the sex scenes.
  • Grand Theft Auto IV was also pre-censored prior to classification and release in the Australian region. In the American release, sexual encounters with prostitutes occur inside the player's vehicle and the player has the ability to rotate the camera for a clearer view of what transpires. In the censored Australian version, the camera is fixed behind the vehicle, which rocks from side to side with accompanying audio effects. It is impossible for the player to view the inside of the car.[30] Rockstar later submitted the uncut version of the game, which went on to receive the same MA15+ rating as its censored counterpart, and a patch was released for the PS3, PC and Xbox 360 to uncensor the game.
  • 50 Cent: Bulletproof was banned for encouraging gang violence. A version removing the game's arcade mode, cutting down on gore, and with an automatic game over for killing innocents was given an MA15+ rating.
  • Fallout 3 was refused classification by the OFLC[31][32] due to the "realistic visual representations of drugs and their delivery method (bringing) the 'science-fiction' drugs in line with 'real-world' drugs." A revised version of the game was resubmitted to the OFLC and reclassified as MA15+ on 7 August 2008 after drug names were changed.[33] It was later clarified that the only change done to the final version of the game was the name "morphine" changed to "Med-x". This change was done to all versions worldwide; thus, Australia got the same version of the game as other countries uncut with an MA15+.
  • Atelier Totori Plus: The Adventurer of Arland was given an R18+ rating on PlayStation Vita, a huge jump from the PS3 version's PG rating, with the reason being "references to sexual violence".[34] Comparatively, in North America, the game received a T for Teen (ages 13+) rating, a 12+ rating in Japan (CERO B), and a PEGI 12 rating. Its strict rating resulted in the creation of an internet meme captioned "High Impact Violence" that satirizes the Classification Board for labeling mildly sensual animation as having "high impact".[35]

Adult (18+) ratings for video games

Many games were banned before 2011 on the basis that the R18+ rating did not apply to video games at the time. This was the subject of complaint in the gaming community, who argued that there is no reason why adults should be prevented from seeing content in games that they could see in a film. One of the main opponents to the introduction of an R18+ rating for video games was the former South Australian attorney-general, Michael Atkinson, who vetoed every attempt to include one.[36]

On 11 August 2010, at a public forum, opposition leader Tony Abbott was asked a question about his views on the absence of an R18+ rating for video games and whether he had any policies relating to the subject, saying, "if what happens with video games is not roughly analogous to what happens in other areas, that seems silly ... Instinctively I'm with you, and it's something I'd be happy to look at, if we are in Government."[37][38][39][40] In December 2010, Attorney General Robert McClelland appeared to be moving on this issue following the release of telephone poll results conducted by the Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor, showing roughly 80% in support of an R18+ classification.[41]

On 22 July 2011, at a meeting of state and territories' attorneys general, an agreement was reached for the introduction of an R18+ classification. It was planned to introduce the rating towards the end of 2011.[42] On 22 July 2011, a meeting of attorneys-general produced an in-principle agreement to introduce the R18+ classification for video games; however, NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith abstained from the vote. The Home Affairs Minister, Brendan O'Connor, said the federal government would over-ride NSW and implement the R18+ rating regardless of its decision and would be officially available before the end of 2011.[43] On 10 August the NSW Attorney General agreed on the R18+; thus, the rating would be accepted and available to all states before the end of 2011.[44][45]

As of 1 January 2013, the R18+ rating has been officially implemented for video games although it is apparently not being used to full effect as many games are still being refused classification.[46] Michael Atkinson, who was the South Australian attorney-general until 2010, was a continuous opponent against the introduction of the R18+ classification, and actively blocked the release of a discussion paper until just before his retirement from cabinet that canvassed the opinion of the Australian public on whether or not an R18+ classification should be introduced.[citation needed]

The first game to be released with an R18+ rating was Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus. The game Saints Row IV became the first game to be refused classification under the new standard on 25 June 2013.[47][48] State of Decay became the second game to be refused classification less than 24 hours after the first (Saints Row IV) was banned. Both were refused classification on the grounds of "illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives and rewards".[49]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Review Board | Australian Classification". www.classification.gov.au. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  2. ^ Classification Board
  3. ^ . The Daily Telegraph (1 – State ed.). 6 July 2005. p. 11. Archived from the original on 9 June 2005.
  4. ^ The Classification Code; May 2005
  5. ^ a b Cole, R., Driscoll, C., & Grealy, L. (2018). Classifying adulthood: A history of governing minority in media classification. In Youth, Technology, Governance, Experience (p. 74). Routledge.
  6. ^ (PDF). Australian Classification Board. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Getting Digitally-Distributed Games Classified in Australia to be Cost-Free - IGN". September 2014.
  8. ^ "Classification and censorship".
  9. ^ Classification, The Australian (9 August 2019). "What do the ratings mean?". www.classification.gov.au. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  10. ^ Classification, The Australian (30 May 2020). "THE LAST OF US PART II". www.classification.gov.au. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  11. ^ "What's ok for children?". 9 August 2019.
  12. ^ Maher, Cian (17 August 2020). "Australian government rules that games with microtransactions must address them in box art". VG247. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  13. ^ Canna, Xavier La (6 June 2005). "New classifications pave way for R-rated games". The Age. Australia. p. 7. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  14. ^ Netflix gets approval to classify own shows after two-year trial
  15. ^ a b "What do the ratings mean?". Australian Classification Board. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  16. ^ a b Clare, Jason (Minister for Justice) (10 December 2012). "Guidelines for the Classification of Films 2012". Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  17. ^ "Films and computer games exempt from classification | Australian Classification". Australian Classification. from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  18. ^ a b c d REVIEW OF AUSTRALIAN CLASSIFICATION REGULATION Classification Board Submission ( 20 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine) by the ACB. February 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  19. ^ Minister asks censors to reassess approval of sadistic film. SMH (17 April 2010).
  20. ^ a b "Romance (1999)". Refused-Classification.com. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  21. ^ OFLC Classification Review Board Report re Baisez-Moi. 16 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ OFLC Classifies Baise-Moi R18+.[permanent dead link]
  23. ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 October 2006. Retrieved 8 February 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. ^ Needham, Kirsty (7 April 2003). "Police quiz critic after raid". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 5. Retrieved 30 May 2007.
  25. ^ World Socialist Web Site report into the screening of Ken Park. Wsws.org (10 July 2003)
  26. ^ Maddox, Garry (18 June 2003). "Debus wants festival film rethink". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 9. ISSN 0312-6315. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  27. ^ "Media release—Classification of the film Tom of Finland and allegations that the Classification Board is "homophobic"". Australian Classification Board. 19 October 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  28. ^ Abjorensen, Docherty, Norman, James C. (5 December 2014). Historical Dictionary of Australia. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 93. ISBN 9781442245020.
  29. ^ Grand Theft Auto III. classification.gov.au
  30. ^ IGN: Aussie GTA IV Censorship Update. Au.xbox360.ign.com.
  31. ^ OFLC listing 2 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine for Fallout 3. Retrieved 12 July 2008.
  32. ^ Fallout 3 Officially Refused Classification in Australia. Xbox360.ign.com.
  33. ^ "Fallout 3 Censorship Report". IGN. 13 August 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  34. ^ "Australian Classification - Atelier Totori Plus: The Adventurer of Arland". Australian Classification Board. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  35. ^ ATELIER TOTORI: THE ADVENTURER OF ARLAND – HIGH IMPACT SEXUAL VIOLENCE? Pete Davison from Moegamer.net, September 25, 2020
  36. ^ Lake, Chloe (27 February 2008). "Attorney-general opposes R rating for games". News.com.au. News Limited. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  37. ^ Madigan, Michael; Packham, Ben (11 August 2010). "Tony Abbott Q&A from Rooty Hill". The Courier Mail. News Limited.
  38. ^ Wildgoose, David (12 August 2010). "Tony Abbott: 'Happy To Look At' R18+ Rating". Kotaku.
  39. ^ LeMay, Renai (11 August 2010). . iTWire. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  40. ^ LeMay, Renai (11 August 2010). "Abbott pledges R18+ gaming review". Delimiter. LeMay & Galt Media.
  41. ^ . Attorney-General's Department. Commonwealth of Australia. 8 December 2010. Archived from the original on 3 April 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  42. ^ "'Historic agreement' on R18+ video games". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  43. ^ Asher Moses, Ben Grubb (22 July 2011). "'Historic agreement' on R18+ video games". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  44. ^ Laura Parker (9 August 2011), "NSW backs R18+ for games", GameSpot
  45. ^ "Governments agree on R18+ games rating". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Company. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  46. ^ "Gamers get adults-only R18+ classification". Australian Associated Press. 18 June 2012.
  47. ^ Reilly, Luke (25 June 2013). . IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  48. ^ 25 June 2013: Saints Row IV first computer game Refused Classification. Australian Classification Board, 25 June 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  49. ^ 26 June 2013: "Second video game – State of Decay – banned in Australia". News.com.au, 26 June 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.

External links

  • The Australian Government Classification Website Includes info about classification system, board member profiles and a public searchable database of classification decisions
  • Submissions due 28 February 2010.
  • Refused-Classification.com Database of films, games, and books that have had problems with the ACB.
  • Libertus Australia[permanent dead link] Website maintained by Irene Graham, the executive director of EFA.
  • Media Censorship in Australia A Facebook censorship news page started in 2013 with several updates a week.

australian, classification, board, confused, with, australian, classification, review, board, australian, government, statutory, body, responsible, classification, censorship, films, video, games, publications, exhibition, sale, hire, australia, established, 1. Not to be confused with Australian Classification Review Board The Australian Classification Board ACB or CB is an Australian government statutory body responsible for the classification and censorship of films video games and publications for exhibition sale or hire in Australia The ACB was established in 1970 and was once part of the Office of Film and Literature Classification OFLC which was dissolved in 2006 The Department of Communications and the Arts provided administrative support to the ACB from 2006 until 2020 when it was merged into the mega department of the Department of Infrastructure Transport Regional Development and Communications Decisions made by the ACB may be reviewed by the Australian Classification Review Board 1 The ACB now operates under the Commonwealth Classification Act 1995 The ACB is made up of a director a deputy director and three other board members appointed by the government for three or four year terms and temporary board members 2 The ACB is located in Sydney New South Wales Classification BoardAgency overviewFormed1970 53 years ago 1970 as Australian Classification Board JurisdictionCommonwealth of AustraliaMinister responsibleMichelle Rowland Minister for CommunicationsParent agencyDepartment of Infrastructure Transport Regional Development and Communications current parent agency Department of Communications and the Arts until 2020 OFLC until 2006 Australian Classification Review Board sister agency Websitewww wbr classification wbr gov wbr auThe ACB does not directly censor material by ordering cuts or changes However it is able to effectively censor media by refusing classification and making the media illegal for hire exhibition and importation to Australia The classification system has several levels of restricted categories prohibiting sale exhibition or use of some materials to those who are under a prescribed age In 2005 video and computer games became subject to the same classification ratings and restrictions as films with the exception of the R18 and X18 ratings in response to confusion by parents 3 Despite a line in the National Classification Code stating that adults should be able to read hear and see what they want the adult R18 classification was not applied to video games in Australia until 1 January 2013 4 Some films those made for educational or training purposes for instance are exempt from classification under certain conditions Film festivals and institutions such as Australian Centre for the Moving Image ACMI may apply to the ACB for an exemption from classification for the purpose of screening at a particular film festival or event If the ACB believes an unclassified work in their estimation would receive an X18 classification if it were to be classified they would not grant an exemption for public screening as an X18 cannot be exhibited The ACB may require film festivals to have age restricted entrance to a festival or screening Contents 1 History 2 Overview 3 Film and video game classifications 3 1 Unrestricted Advisory 3 2 Restricted 3 3 Other labels 4 Literature ratings 5 Proposals 5 1 Age reference removal 5 2 New rating category 5 3 Literature classification 6 Controversies 6 1 Film 6 2 Video games 6 3 Adult 18 ratings for video games 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksHistory EditThe Australian Classification Board was created in 1970 to classify or rate all films and later in 1994 video games that came into Australia In the early years of the system beginning in November 1971 there were four ratings G for general audiences PG for parental guidance suggested for under 15 M for suggested for 13 and over later became M 15 from the late 1980s until 2005 R for restricted exhibition 5 previously SOA or suitable only for adults This later became R 18 in the late 1980s The MA 15 rating was introduced in 1993 to flag content that was too strong for the M classification but not so much so that the content should be restricted only to persons over the age of 18 5 The Office of Film and Literature Classification OFLC was reorganised in 1994 and oversaw the ACB In 2005 the OFLC was dissolved and supervision of the ACB transferred to the attorney general s department The current colour coded classification markings for films and computer games were introduced in May 2005 6 In August 2014 the ACB introduced amendments to allow for the automated classification process employed by the International Age Rating Coalition This new process reduces the costs of video game developers as they seek to obtain ratings for their products that are distributed digitally online 7 Overview EditThe board operates on a procedure that primarily involves decision making The members must communicate their views clearly and appreciate the views of others Board members would be exposed to a wide range of material including content that is confronting and offensive Every film and computer game has to be classified before it can be legally made available to the public Some publications also need to be classified Failure to give classification especially for unclassified material that is likely to be classified RC is an implicit ban except for exempt films games and publications It is an offence to display demonstrate sell hire publicly exhibit or advertise a film or computer game without having it classified Some films and documentaries such as current affairs and those created for business scientific and education purposes are exempt from classification unless if classified they would be M or above 8 There are legal age restrictions for the ratings of MA 15 and R 18 X 18 is a special restriction rating for adult content X 18 is limited only to films and the highest rating for video games remains R 18 9 Should a game contain content not suitable for or exceeding the boundaries of an R 18 rating often explicit sexual content or nudity that game is usually either modified censored or rarely refused classification banned an exception to this was made for The Last of Us Part II where the game was not censored despite containing nudity 10 The other classification categories G PG and M are merely recommendations and they are not submitted to legal age restrictions RC banned material cannot be sold hired or distributed to any persons A film or video game s context is crucial in determining whether a classifiable element is justified by the story line or themes The ACB decides what consumer advice accompanies each classification They indicate the elements in films and computer games which caused the classification and help consumers make choices about what they read view or play There are six classifiable elements for films themes rape suicide racism etc violence the level of violence and how threatening it is in its context sex intercourse and references to sex language the level of coarse language drug use the use of and references to drugs and nudity the explicitness of nudity Consumer advice appears with the classification symbol on products packaging and in advertisements Consumer advice is not given if the element in question would be acceptable at a lower classification 11 By August 2020 the ACB added another category for video games related to microtransactions with any game including them listing in game purchases alongside these other themes 12 The ACB also classifies material submitted by the police the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and the Australian Communications and Media Authority The board does not classify live performances audio CDs and television shows Television is regulated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority 13 Film classification also normally applies to Internet streaming services In January 2019 for the first time Netflix was given the go ahead to self regulate film and television classification on its streaming platform allowing the company to rank content between G and R18 14 Film and video game classifications EditUnrestricted Advisory Edit The classifications below are unrestricted and may suggest parental advisory but do not impose any legal restrictions on access to or distribution of material 15 16 Classification Description Exempt E Only very specific types of material including educational material and artistic performances can be exempted from classification and the material cannot contain anything that exceeds the constraints of the PG classification 17 The assessment of exemption may be made by the distributor or exhibitor self assessed without needing to submit the product for certification by the ACB Self assessed exempt films cannot use the official marking although it is advised that films and computer games that are self assessed as exempt display This film computer game is exempt from classification General G Contains material available for general viewing i e suitable for viewing by persons of all ages This category does not necessarily designate a children s film or game Although not mandatory at this category the board may provide consumer information Consumer advice at G classification usually relates to impacts on very young children The content is very mild in impact Themes should have a very low sense of threat or menace and be justified by context Violence should have only a low sense of threat or menace and be justified by context Sexual activity should be very mild and very discreetly implied and be justified by context Coarse language should be very mild and infrequent and justified by context Drug use should be implied only very discreetly and be justified by context Nudity should be justified by context Parental Guidance PG Contains material that is not recommended for viewing by persons under the age of 15 without guidance from parents or guardians This category includes material that younger viewers may find confusing or upsetting The content is mild in impact Themes should have a very low sense of threat or menace and be justified by context Violence should be mild and infrequent and be justified by context Sexual violence is not permitted Sexual activity should be mild and discreetly implied and be justified by context Coarse language should be mild and infrequent and be justified by context Sex nudity and drug use should be mild infrequent discreetly implied and justified by context Drug use and nudity should be justified by context Mature M Contains material that is recommended for viewing by persons aged 15 years and over However people under 15 may legally access such material since this category carries no legal restrictions This category includes material that may require a mature perspective but is not deemed too strong for younger viewers The content is moderate in impact although in recent years the moderate indicator prefix is omitted from the consumer advice e g moderate violence is referred to as violence Themes may have a moderate sense of threat or menace if justified by context Moderate violence is permitted if justified by context Sexual violence should be very limited and justified by context Sexual activity should be discreetly implied if justified by context Coarse language may be used Aggressive or strong coarse language should be infrequent and justified by context Drug use and nudity should be justified by context Restricted Edit By contrast the classifications below are legally restricted it is illegal to sell or exhibit material classified to anyone younger than the mentioned minimum age 15 16 Classification Description Mature Accompanied MA 15 Contains material that is considered unsuitable for exhibition to persons under the age of 15 People under 15 may legally purchase rent exhibit or view such content but only under the supervision of a parent or adult guardian A person may be asked to show proof of age before purchasing or hiring an MA 15 film or computer game at a retail store or cinema The content is strong in impact Realistic violence of medium intensity is permitted Violent depictions with a high degree or realism is accepted only if justified by context Stylised violence however can be more detailed Strong violence is permitted although if it is bloody and strong it should be infrequent or justified by context Sexual violence is permitted only if it is not frequent gratuitous or exploitative Sexual activity may be discreetly implied or simulated Nudity is permitted but in a sexual context it should not be exploitative Frightening or intense scenes should not disturb a reasonable adult Aggressive and very strong coarse language may be used but it should not be exploitative Drug use may be depicted but not in an advocatory manner Themes if strong should be justified by context Restricted R 18 Contains material that is considered unsuitable for exhibition to persons under the age of 18 People under 18 may not legally purchase rent exhibit or view R 18 classified content A person may be asked for proof of age before purchasing hiring or viewing an R 18 film or computer game at a retail store or cinema Some material classified R 18 may be offensive to sections of the adult community The content is high in impact Realistic and explicit depictions of violence are permitted but violence that is frequently gratuitous cruel exploitative and offensive to a reasonable adult is not Themes can have a very high degree of intensity but should not be exploitative Sexual violence is permitted only to the extent that it is necessary to the narrative and not exploitative or not shown in detail Sexual activity can be realistically simulated but depictions of actual sexual activity are not permitted However several films containing artistic depictions of real sexual activity such as Romance and Nymphomaniac have been passed with the R18 classification Drug use can be shown but not gratuitously detailed and should also not be promoted or encouraged For computer games drug use related to incentives and rewards is not permitted Nudity in a sexual context should not include obvious genital contact Coarse language is virtually unrestricted Restricted X 18 Contains material that is pornographic in nature People under 18 may not legally purchase rent possess exhibit or view these films The exhibition or sale of these films to people under the age of 18 years is a criminal offence carrying a maximum fine of 5 500 Films classified as X 18 are banned via state government legislation from being sold or rented in all Australian states but are legal to possess except in certain parts of the Northern Territory and are legally available to purchase only in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory Importing X 18 material from these territories to any other state is legal as the Australian Constitution forbids any restrictions on trade between the states and territories The content is sexually explicit and the rating cannot be given to video games This rating applies to films that depict unsimulated sexual content only Depictions of sexual violence coercion and sexually assaultive language are not allowed in the category Fetishes such as body piercing golden showers bondage spanking or fisting are also not permitted Other labels Edit Classification Description Refused Classification RC Contains material that while being in most cases legal to possess is considered offensive to the standards of morality decency and propriety generally accepted by a reasonable adult to the extent that it should not be classified Classification is mandatory and films that are refused classification by the ACB are legally banned from sale hire or public exhibition carrying a maximum fine of 275 000 and 10 years in prison if an individual or organisation is found to be in breach of this It is however legal to possess RC films and games for people over 18 except in Western Australia and certain parts of the Northern Territory unless they contain illegal content such as child pornography The content is very high in impact Films and games that exceed the X 18 and R 18 ratings respectively are refused classification by the ACB Content that may be refused classification includes but is not limited to detailed instruction or promotion in matters of crime or violence the promotion or provision of instruction in paedophile activity descriptions or depictions of child sexual abuse or any other exploitative or offensive descriptions or depictions involving a person who is or appears to be a child under 18 years Gratuitous exploitative or offensive depictions of violence with a very high degree of impact or which are excessively frequent prolonged or detailed cruelty or real violence which are very detailed or which have an extremely high impact sexual violence Depictions of practices such as bestiality necrophilia or other practices that are considered revolting or abhorrent Gratuitous exploitative or offensive depictions of activity accompanied by fetishes or practices that are offensive or abhorrent incest fantasies or other fantasies that are offensive or abhorrent Check the Classification CTC The content has been assessed and approved for advertising unclassified films and computer games This film has advertising approval Check the classification closer to the released date is usually written on the marking Any advertising of unclassified films and games must display the CTC message on posters trailers on the Internet and any other types of advertising Once the content is classified the classification marking replaces the CTC marking on all advertising material Literature ratings EditPublications such as books and magazines though they would also include other printed media such as calendars cards and catalogues are required to be classified if they contain depictions or descriptions of sexuality drugs nudity or violence that are unsuitable for a minor or an adult who would take offence if sold as an unrestricted publication Publication classifications are most commonly applied to magazines with visual depictions of nudity or sexual activity such as many men s magazines It is uncommon for these ratings to appear on books even those dealing with adult themes except in the most controversial cases Classification Description Unrestricted Unrestricted with the consumer advice M Mature These publications are unrestricted although they are not recommended for readers under 15 years Category 1 Restricted CAT 1 These publications are not available to persons under 18 years These may contain images of sexualised nudity They must be distributed in a sealed wrapper Their covers must be suitable for public display Category 2 Restricted CAT 2 Just like Category 1 Restricted restricted publications they are not available to persons under 18 years However they contain explicit images of actual sexual activity which are not permissible under Category 1 Restricted and may only be displayed in sites that are restricted to adults Therefore no publications that are likely to be classified Category 2 Restricted restricted may be displayed in public registered events Refused Classification RC RC publications are banned and cannot be sold or displayed anywhere in Australia The restricted publications are for adults and they are not to be sold to people under 18 and in Queensland under state law They have content such as nudity or explicit sexual content that could offend some sections of the adult community The restricted categories are subject to various restrictions in different states for example one or both categories may only be sold in adults only premises in certain states For this reason some adult magazines are published in two editions in Australia or just one edited edition which can be sold anywhere with a warning as unrestricted mature Proposals EditAge reference removal Edit In February 2020 the board proposed to remove the reference to 15 years for PG and M classifications and simply just refer to the severity of the material This is due to a confusion that is caused by each of the categories citing to a 15 year old in addition to both the PG and M content not being recommended for persons under 15 years The age reference created confusion for parents and guardians creating some questions such as why an M level film can still be accessed by a person under 15 without guidance because it is not a legally restricted category when the impact of its material is higher than that of PG material There is a confusion for people that comes from knowing the suited audience for PG M and MA 15 films and games due to their definitions that revolve around 15 years of age The notes in the guidelines that come with the PG M and MA ratings should be read like this 18 PG Content classified PG may not be of interest to a child or young person Some content may contain material which some children and young people may find confusing or upsetting and parental guidance is recommended M Content classified M is not suitable for children Parental guidance may be required for young people MA 15 Content classified MA 15 is legally restricted to people aged 15 years and over However young people aged under 15 years can legally access this content when accompanied by an adult who may need to provide guidance New rating category Edit In February 2020 the board had suggested the adoption of a PG 13 type classification category which is a rating aimed at young teens between PG and M that addresses the mild impact level material Its adoption was suggested because many films in recent years surpass what conforms to the PG rating and are consequentially pushed up into an M moderate impact rating category due to their dark themes and peril despite being films aimed at younger teens The mild category if introduced could excel the mild impact level PG but not so as to require a mature perspective M classification and it could be relevant for films with a more significant amount of action or fantasy violence If the rating is implemented the non restricted classifications would read like this 18 G General very mild impact PG Parental guidance mild impact Young person mild impact M Mature moderate impact This would mean the age restrictive numbers 15 and 18 would only be present for the legally restricted categories of MA 15 R 18 and X 18 The ACB is not suggesting that the new PG 13 rating would be applied retrospectively but rather prospectively as was the case when the MA 15 category was initiated and when the R 18 was adopted for video games The ACB is also not planning to use the PG 13 title for the new classification category but a title that does not reference any age such as YP for young person or likely T for teenager 18 Literature classification Edit The ACB considers the present classification categories for publications to be redundant complex and inappropriate for the digital world Therefore the board has proposed the creation of the equivalent film and games classifications of M R 18 and X 18 for publications like 18 Unrestricted publication classification M Category 1 Restricted publication classification R 18 Category 2 Restricted publication classification X 18 Controversies EditSee also Australian Classification Review Board Film Edit See also List of films banned in Australia Pasolini s Salo or the 120 Days of Sodom has twice been banned in Australia The Home Affairs Minister Brendan O Connor asked the Classification Review Board to reassess the decision 19 however the review failed to find any fault in the classification The film was banned in 1997 and was released after two failed attempts in September 2010 when the ACB classified an uncut version of Salo R18 mainly due to extra material providing greater context In 1992 Island World Communications Ltd and Manga Entertainment Australia Ltd had Urotsukidoji Legend of the Overfiend submitted to the OFLC It was the first animated feature to be banned in Australia and the feature was banned outright similar to Violence Jack Urotsukidoji was then censored to meet the OFLC s standards The Australian version is the most censored in the Western world Many fans of anime imported uncensored versions of Urotsukidoji Legend of the Overfiend from the UK The rest of the Urotsukidoji series was censored in Australia with many still importing or downloading the American versions Ninja Scroll was originally released in 1994 in Australia by Manga Entertainment Ltd It originally had the MA15 rating on the VHS but this was overturned in 1997 when Phillip Ruddock had the anime reviewed after an uncut screening of the movie on the SBS A few months later it was given an R18 rating and was uncut then edited again eventually using the BBFC cut of it This was overturned in 2003 when Madman Entertainment and Manga Entertainment Ltd released the uncut version Romance a new crop within the arthouse genre which features short scenes of actual sex began to attract closer scrutiny The film was initially refused classification in Australia before it was awarded an R18 on appeal 20 It single handedly paved the way for actual sex to be accommodated in the R18 classification in Australia 20 Baise moi a French film about two prostitutes who take violent revenge after being raped 21 In 2000 the film was classified as R18 On 10 May 2002 The film was subsequently banned and pulled from cinemas and still remains prohibited in Australia to this day due to exploitative and offensive depictions of sexual violence extreme violence and depictions of behavior and fetishes that are considered offensive or abhorrent 22 Ken Park an American film about teenagers that features a scene of autoerotic asphyxiation amongst other sexually explicit scenes 23 The ban however is actually due to exploitative sexual depiction of minors which is a criminal offence in Australia In response to the ban a protest screening was held which was shut down by the police 24 Prominent movie reviewer Margaret Pomeranz then host of The Movie Show on the SBS was arrested and later cautioned and released along with several others after attempting to screen at a hall what she described as a wonderful film 25 Tom Gleisner host of The Panel a prime time comedy show openly stated on the show that he had downloaded and watched the film Former New South Wales Premier Bob Carr stated that he thought the banning of Ken Park and other films was inappropriate and that his attorney general Bob Debus would discuss changing the laws with other state attorneys general at an upcoming meeting 26 In October 2017 the classification board was described as homophobic by Luke Buckmaster on flicks com au for classifying the film Tom of Finland as R18 for high impact sexualised imagery and nudity The board disputed the allegation stating that it had classified the film in accordance with its published guidelines and that the distributor had sought R18 conditions for its screenings at the 2017 Scandinavian Film Festival Buckmaster also compared what he perceived to be the board s heavy handed approach unfavorably to Netflix which he argued was permitted to regulate its own content The board disagreed with this comparison noting that it was piloting a scheme to streamline the classification of Netflix content in Australia 27 Video games Edit See also List of banned video games in Australia Video gaming censorship in Australia is considered to be one of the strictest in the Western world 28 Such controversial and noteworthy cases include Grand Theft Auto III was withdrawn from sale for allowing players to have sexual intercourse with prostitutes the game was later reinstated when this action was removed Specifically the player could solicit intercourse from a prostitute and then kill her The ability to solicit sex from prostitutes in the game was the action that was removed but in game characters and pedestrians could still violently murder them Grand Theft Auto Vice City was also pre censored for the same reasons Though in 2010 Vice City was classified uncut again receiving an MA15 and an uncensored version of GTA 3 was given an R18 in 2019 29 Grand Theft Auto San Andreas was withdrawn from sale in July 2005 following the revelation that an interactive sex minigame was included in the content files on the game s disc one could not ordinarily access this but a third party modification known as the Hot Coffee mod allowed the player to access the minigame and the inclusion of the scenes on the game disc took the game outside the MA15 category The MA15 rating was re instated after a modified version was released worldwide by Rockstar Games removing the content files for the sex scenes Grand Theft Auto IV was also pre censored prior to classification and release in the Australian region In the American release sexual encounters with prostitutes occur inside the player s vehicle and the player has the ability to rotate the camera for a clearer view of what transpires In the censored Australian version the camera is fixed behind the vehicle which rocks from side to side with accompanying audio effects It is impossible for the player to view the inside of the car 30 Rockstar later submitted the uncut version of the game which went on to receive the same MA15 rating as its censored counterpart and a patch was released for the PS3 PC and Xbox 360 to uncensor the game 50 Cent Bulletproof was banned for encouraging gang violence A version removing the game s arcade mode cutting down on gore and with an automatic game over for killing innocents was given an MA15 rating Fallout 3 was refused classification by the OFLC 31 32 due to the realistic visual representations of drugs and their delivery method bringing the science fiction drugs in line with real world drugs A revised version of the game was resubmitted to the OFLC and reclassified as MA15 on 7 August 2008 after drug names were changed 33 It was later clarified that the only change done to the final version of the game was the name morphine changed to Med x This change was done to all versions worldwide thus Australia got the same version of the game as other countries uncut with an MA15 Atelier Totori Plus The Adventurer of Arland was given an R18 rating on PlayStation Vita a huge jump from the PS3 version s PG rating with the reason being references to sexual violence 34 Comparatively in North America the game received a T for Teen ages 13 rating a 12 rating in Japan CERO B and a PEGI 12 rating Its strict rating resulted in the creation of an internet meme captioned High Impact Violence that satirizes the Classification Board for labeling mildly sensual animation as having high impact 35 Adult 18 ratings for video games Edit Many games were banned before 2011 on the basis that the R18 rating did not apply to video games at the time This was the subject of complaint in the gaming community who argued that there is no reason why adults should be prevented from seeing content in games that they could see in a film One of the main opponents to the introduction of an R18 rating for video games was the former South Australian attorney general Michael Atkinson who vetoed every attempt to include one 36 On 11 August 2010 at a public forum opposition leader Tony Abbott was asked a question about his views on the absence of an R18 rating for video games and whether he had any policies relating to the subject saying if what happens with video games is not roughly analogous to what happens in other areas that seems silly Instinctively I m with you and it s something I d be happy to look at if we are in Government 37 38 39 40 In December 2010 Attorney General Robert McClelland appeared to be moving on this issue following the release of telephone poll results conducted by the Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O Connor showing roughly 80 in support of an R18 classification 41 On 22 July 2011 at a meeting of state and territories attorneys general an agreement was reached for the introduction of an R18 classification It was planned to introduce the rating towards the end of 2011 42 On 22 July 2011 a meeting of attorneys general produced an in principle agreement to introduce the R18 classification for video games however NSW Attorney General Greg Smith abstained from the vote The Home Affairs Minister Brendan O Connor said the federal government would over ride NSW and implement the R18 rating regardless of its decision and would be officially available before the end of 2011 43 On 10 August the NSW Attorney General agreed on the R18 thus the rating would be accepted and available to all states before the end of 2011 44 45 As of 1 January 2013 the R18 rating has been officially implemented for video games although it is apparently not being used to full effect as many games are still being refused classification 46 Michael Atkinson who was the South Australian attorney general until 2010 was a continuous opponent against the introduction of the R18 classification and actively blocked the release of a discussion paper until just before his retirement from cabinet that canvassed the opinion of the Australian public on whether or not an R18 classification should be introduced citation needed The first game to be released with an R18 rating was Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus The game Saints Row IV became the first game to be refused classification under the new standard on 25 June 2013 47 48 State of Decay became the second game to be refused classification less than 24 hours after the first Saints Row IV was banned Both were refused classification on the grounds of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives and rewards 49 See also Edit Australia portalCensorship in Australia Internet censorship in Australia List of pornography laws by region Australian hardcore pornography laws Australian Commercial Television Code of Practice includes the rating system of Australian TV Video game controversy includes the history of games censorship in Australia List of banned video games in AustraliaReferences Edit Review Board Australian Classification www classification gov au Retrieved 30 April 2016 Classification Board Games get film ratings The Daily Telegraph 1 State ed 6 July 2005 p 11 Archived from the original on 9 June 2005 The Classification Code May 2005 a b Cole R Driscoll C amp Grealy L 2018 Classifying adulthood A history of governing minority in media classification In Youth Technology Governance Experience p 74 Routledge Annual Report 2004 2005 PDF Australian Classification Board 2005 Archived from the original PDF on 21 March 2019 Retrieved 7 March 2021 Getting Digitally Distributed Games Classified in Australia to be Cost Free IGN September 2014 Classification and censorship Classification The Australian 9 August 2019 What do the ratings mean www classification gov au Retrieved 26 June 2020 Classification The Australian 30 May 2020 THE LAST OF US PART II www classification gov au Retrieved 26 June 2020 What s ok for children 9 August 2019 Maher Cian 17 August 2020 Australian government rules that games with microtransactions must address them in box art VG247 Retrieved 17 August 2020 Canna Xavier La 6 June 2005 New classifications pave way for R rated games The Age Australia p 7 Retrieved 5 August 2012 Netflix gets approval to classify own shows after two year trial a b What do the ratings mean Australian Classification Board Retrieved 30 July 2022 a b Clare Jason Minister for Justice 10 December 2012 Guidelines for the Classification of Films 2012 Commonwealth of Australia Retrieved 10 May 2015 Films and computer games exempt from classification Australian Classification Australian Classification Archived from the original on 6 March 2022 Retrieved 9 May 2015 a b c d REVIEW OF AUSTRALIAN CLASSIFICATION REGULATION Classification Board Submission Archived 20 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine by the ACB February 2020 Retrieved December 21 2021 Minister asks censors to reassess approval of sadistic film SMH 17 April 2010 a b Romance 1999 Refused Classification com Retrieved 9 December 2011 OFLC Classification Review Board Report re Baisez Moi Archived 16 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine OFLC Classifies Baise Moi R18 permanent dead link Archived copy PDF Archived from the original PDF on 8 October 2006 Retrieved 8 February 2016 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Needham Kirsty 7 April 2003 Police quiz critic after raid The Sydney Morning Herald p 5 Retrieved 30 May 2007 World Socialist Web Site report into the screening of Ken Park Wsws org 10 July 2003 Maddox Garry 18 June 2003 Debus wants festival film rethink The Sydney Morning Herald p 9 ISSN 0312 6315 Retrieved 5 August 2012 Media release Classification of the film Tom of Finland and allegations that the Classification Board is homophobic Australian Classification Board 19 October 2017 Retrieved 8 June 2020 Abjorensen Docherty Norman James C 5 December 2014 Historical Dictionary of Australia Rowman amp Littlefield p 93 ISBN 9781442245020 Grand Theft Auto III classification gov au IGN Aussie GTA IV Censorship Update Au xbox360 ign com OFLC listing Archived 2 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine for Fallout 3 Retrieved 12 July 2008 Fallout 3 Officially Refused Classification in Australia Xbox360 ign com Fallout 3 Censorship Report IGN 13 August 2008 Retrieved 6 May 2015 Australian Classification Atelier Totori Plus The Adventurer of Arland Australian Classification Board Archived from the original on 10 April 2013 Retrieved 20 March 2013 ATELIER TOTORI THE ADVENTURER OF ARLAND HIGH IMPACT SEXUAL VIOLENCE Pete Davison from Moegamer net September 25 2020 Lake Chloe 27 February 2008 Attorney general opposes R rating for games News com au News Limited Retrieved 27 February 2008 Madigan Michael Packham Ben 11 August 2010 Tony Abbott Q amp A from Rooty Hill The Courier Mail News Limited Wildgoose David 12 August 2010 Tony Abbott Happy To Look At R18 Rating Kotaku LeMay Renai 11 August 2010 Abbott pledges R18 gaming review iTWire Archived from the original on 3 March 2016 Retrieved 23 May 2014 LeMay Renai 11 August 2010 Abbott pledges R18 gaming review Delimiter LeMay amp Galt Media An R 18 Classification for Computer Games Attorney General s Department Commonwealth of Australia 8 December 2010 Archived from the original on 3 April 2011 Retrieved 23 May 2014 Historic agreement on R18 video games The Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 22 July 2011 Retrieved 24 February 2012 Asher Moses Ben Grubb 22 July 2011 Historic agreement on R18 video games The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 22 July 2011 Laura Parker 9 August 2011 NSW backs R18 for games GameSpot Governments agree on R18 games rating ABC News Australian Broadcasting Company 22 July 2011 Retrieved 3 November 2011 Gamers get adults only R18 classification Australian Associated Press 18 June 2012 Reilly Luke 25 June 2013 Saints Row IV banned in Australia IGN Ziff Davis Archived from the original on 3 April 2015 Retrieved 15 March 2015 25 June 2013 Saints Row IV first computer game Refused Classification Australian Classification Board 25 June 2013 Retrieved 26 June 2013 26 June 2013 Second video game State of Decay banned in Australia News com au 26 June 2013 Retrieved 26 June 2013 External links EditThe Australian Government Classification Website Includes info about classification system board member profiles and a public searchable database of classification decisions The R18 Discussion Paper Submissions due 28 February 2010 Inside Film Magazine s Phillip Cenere reports on the ACB International Ratings Conference Refused Classification com Database of films games and books that have had problems with the ACB Libertus Australia permanent dead link Website maintained by Irene Graham the executive director of EFA Media Censorship in Australia A Facebook censorship news page started in 2013 with several updates a week Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Australian Classification Board amp oldid 1131443005, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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