Margaret Pomeranz Responds

We have just been informed via a Facebook message that Nick ‘Enigma’ Gipson who is organizing a nationwide R18+ for games rally has received a reply to an email he sent to Margaret Pomeranz.

Dear Nick,

I would very much like to have supported you in the protest but unfortunately I am committed elsewhere on that day.  Can I ask why you’re doing it on a Saturday?  AG’s are unlikely to be in their offices.  I imagine it’s because you are all working but surely a lunch-time protest would mean more people around, including AG’s. I have the Annual General Meeting of Watch on Censorship coming up this weekend and I’ll bring the matter up with them, see if there’s anything we can do.  The hard head on this is the South Australian AG Michael Atkinson.  I believe all the other states voted in favour of an R-rating for video games, based on the report recommendations of the OFLC.  Bob Debus was the AG of NSW then.  He’s now in Federal Parliament and I believe retiring at the next election.  He may be worthwhile contacting before he goes, he knows the system and may be able to give you advice.  But while one AG has the power of veto it’s going to be a long hard road to achieve anything.  The frustrating thing is being in a position where one state – South Australia – has the power to determine the situation for all of Australia.  Not democratic at all.

I wish you luck.  I think you have right on your side.

I’ll be in touch if WoC can do anything to help.  Just sorry I can’t on the day.

Regards,

Margaret Pomeranz

 

Margaret Pomeranz was also recently interviewed by Byteside.

For information about Nick’s rally visit:  http://left4r18.xtremenetworkonline.com/

  1. Greg at 16:27 2009.11.12

    It’s an utter shame that the current system for introducing change by the AGs is undoubtedly undemocratic- requiring that all AGs agree for a proposed change.
    If convincing Atkinson fails, then supporting the G4C AG candidate is probably our next best option.

  2. Sam at 12:49 2009.11.18

    I find it interesting that Atkinson’s team can initially refuse classification for Left 4 Dead 2 and yet grant classification for games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Where MW2 contains a mission that could be likened to a simulation of the Columbine massacre.

    Does the virtual slaughter of humans have less of an impact on minors than the comparatively comical slaughter of zombies?