The continuing saga of the Australian Sex Party, Down Under’s most absurdly controversial political outfit, and its leader, Fiona Patten took a strange turn with the recent implementation of an R18+ classification for video games putting pressure on the federal government to reassess the current classification of much softcore and hardcore pornography, which remains illegal in many parts of the country.
Federal Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice Jason Clare said of the recent passing in the Senate of legislation that would introduce an R18+ legal classification of video and computer games depicting such extreme acts as murder and physical assault that makes such games available to adults but not minors, “The R18+ category will inform consumers, parents, and retailers about which games are not suitable for minors to play… The reforms also mean that adults are able to choose what games they play within the bounds of the law.”
Patten and the Australian Sex Party are up in arms because this focus on permitting depictions of violent activities suggests those activities are more acceptable than the still-banned graphic depictions of human sexual interaction. “The ALRC (Australian Law Reform Commission) has recommended that the Commonwealth assume enforcement powers for classification issues… so that the Asutralian moral standards are seen as equal in different jurisdictions. THis needs to be expedited or come next January [when the law is to take effect] we will see computer games legally available in Queensland that are four and five times more explicit than restricted (Category 1) softcore magazines, which are banned in that state.” An absurd situation and understandable complaint, right?
“If ‘simulated’ depictions of high level sexual activity will soon be legal in commuter games, the government should consider amalgamating the two upper adult categories of R18+ and X18+,” Patten said, calling such simulations “extremely real” and claiming the difference between the R and X ratings will be “merely academic and of little consequence” to most users of so classified content.
Whether or not Patten and her comrades will have any real impact on the impending rejigging of Australia’s classifications remains to be seen. Until then, violence-addicted Aussies can rest easy knowing that, although they might not be able to kick back and watch a classic hardcore movie without worrying about Johnny Law beating down the door, they can at least commit dozens of acts of assault, battery, and homicide, all depicted in extremely graphic fashion, with no legal consequence. In short: fucking’s out but killing is bonze, mate!