While it was originally thought that it might take up to two weeks for a replacement to be named for departing South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson, it's only taken a handful of days.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann has named fellow Labor Party member John Rau (pictured) as South Australian Attorney General. A lawyer by training, Rau has served in government since 2002 and was just re-elected as a candidate for Enfield, garnering 53.0 percent of the vote. In his profile page on the ALP site, Rau is described as “married with three children,” and a “keen gardener, cook and avid reader of non-fiction.”
That’s all well and good, but what about his thoughts on R18+? GamePron points us to a Tweet from Gamers4Croydon President Chris Prior for the answer to that important question. Prior wrote:
New SA Attorney-General is John Rau, a supporter or the R18+ classification for games (and a nice guy, to boot)
Premier Rann offered some more thoughts on Rau to ABC, describing the new Attorney General as well qualified for the position, adding, “He has and he's served on the backbench, he's a very distinguished barrister, his knowledge of jurisprudence is without exception in this state and I look forward to working with him.”
Could things be turning around for Australian gamers?
Thanks Ryan!
Comments
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
Ok then I have this, although it feels weird since Atkinson (allegedly) decided to do this himself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsaTElBljOE
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Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
So will you tell us when this guy officially replaces Atkinson?
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Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
If he isn't already he should be sworn in within the next few hours.
http://www.indaily.com.au/
"I've got a list of things I want to look at and one of those is the R-rated classification of video games."
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
Crosses fingers for new attorney generals in both South Australia and Tasmania.
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
He's an "avid reader of non-fiction".
But does he understand the value of Fiction, its diversity in content and context, and the Rights of individuals to create and participate in the various media formats that use Fiction and its subcatagories of genre? Additionally, does he understand that individuals who create and participate in the general genre of Fiction, contrary to lies, deceit, and misinformation by Tin-Pot-dictator-Wannabes, understand the difference between Reality and Fiction?
Does he understand that Freedom of Expression, a basic Human Right, should be protected for EVERYONE, and not just those who like the same things he does?
I wonder about his own thoughts regarding the creation of a Bill of Rights for Australia and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
http://www.facebook.com/nightwing2000
Nightwng2000 is now admin to the group "Parents For Education, Not Legislation" on MySpace as http://groups.myspace.com/pfenl
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
One thing to note is that Tazmania (another Aussie state) may have changed government on the weekend; it's still too close to call. Who will become AG over there? Will they support change?
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
Tasmania with an s.
Unfortunately Tassie is about 20 years behind mainland Australia in culture, so most politicians are still at the "what?! the moving pictures come in colour now?!" stage of technology.
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
This person looks promising, there is still hope that R18+ video game may come. If I was a Australian, I would vote for this guy.
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
Because a persons stance on R18+ is the ONLY indicator of how suitable they are for office. /sarcasm
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
Even if he ends up not personally supporting the R18+ for some reason, there's still the chance he'll realize "Hey, if everyone else is okay with it, maybe i should just stand aside and let them have it".
but if evidence dictates he does support R18+...then my australian friends, Christmas is about to come early.
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
Which is exactly what a public official is supposed to do. No matter their personal stance, if the public at large wants it, they should put their personal feelings aside and make it so.
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
I'm not sure I totally agree with that. In general if the public at large wants something, then yes government should provide it. However, given how (frankly) stupid the average person is and how easily swayed they are it's at least possible that what the public wants would be a very bad idea. In that case elected officials who, presumably (and I realize this is often not the case), are more knowlegable should not just "make it so."
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Chris Kimberley
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Chris Kimberley
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
Ok, I"ll correct myself, they should do so within reason.
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
Well, it is time to sit back and wait. Will this guy provide the Unanimous vote needed to get the R18 rating or will someone new step up to be the wrench in the works? E. Zachary Knight Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
Atkinson's replacment is a supporter of the R18+ raiting? Now there is hope for aussie gamers.
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
Time will tell if he will vote for the R18+ for video games.
"It's better to be hated for who you are, then be loved for who you are not." - Montgomery Gentry
Re: Atkinson’s Replacement Announced
There's hope yet, especially in that Atkinson's endorsement wasn't listed.