COMPUTER games rated higher than MA15+ will remain banned after the South Australian Government blocked a national proposal to introduce an R18+ rating.
The Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, which met in Perth last week, endorsed a scheme to bring film and games under the same classification guidelines, but rejected the crucial adults-only rating.
The highest rating for computer games is MA15+ for material suitable for people aged 15 and older.
Games that would attract a higher rating are banned from sale in Australia - a fate that befell two PlayStation 2 games in the past year.
The lack of an R18+ rating puts Australia at odds with most of the Western world, including New Zealand, where the government regulations include an R18+ rating, and the United States, where the industry is self-regulated.
The Office of Film and Literature Classification enforces rules set by federal, state and territory governments in 1996.
Any change to the system would require support from all nine governments.
Last week's meeting of Attorneys-General followed a lengthy OFLC review of the guidelines.
An endorsement of an R18+ rating had been anticipated.
The Australian IT understands that federal Attorney-General Daryl Williams, closed debate on the issue once it was clear South Australia would not support it.
SA Attorney-General Michael Atkinson said the risks of an R18+ rating outweighed the benefits.
Mr Atkinson said he had seen data showing that 70 per cent of PS2 owners were older than 18, but his job was to be "cautious on behalf of children".
"The interactivity of games means it has a greater potential to cause harm to children," he said. "Once an adult has brought a computer game into the house, the children will play it too."
