In relation to our articles concerning the decision to ban Mortal Kombat in Australia, GameSpot AU is reporting that the voting on the introduction of an R18+ classification for video games is likely to be delayed once again.

The voting will take place this Friday at the Standing Committee of Attorney's General meeting (SCAG). Australian gamers remain hopeful, but, the NSW Attorney-General's department reports that Greg Smith, New South Wales Attorney, will not be voting in favor of this issue. From GameSpot's report:

"In May this year, GameSpot AU canvassed the opinion of all nine federal, state, and territory censorship ministers on the issue of R18+ for games. The poll revealed that six out of nine states and territories--the federal government, Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory, and the ACT--were in support of introducing the adult rating for games in Australia. The remaining three states--NSW, Victoria, and Western Australia--declared they would make their final decision in the lead-up to the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) meeting this Friday."

"Now, the NSW Attorney-General's department is declaring that the NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith will not be voting on the R18+ for games issue."

In addition, a spokesperson for Smith declared to GameSpot AU that they "want to wait to see the results of the ALRC (Australian Law Reform Commission) classification review." The ALRC review is not excepted to be complete until early next year.

In order for the Adult Rating System to be introduced in Australia, a consensus needs to be reached between all of Australia's state, territory, and federal governments.

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