Australian Classification Board

Australian Classification Board
Agency overview
Formed 1970
Jurisdiction Commonwealth of Australia
Minister responsible Robert McClelland, Attorney-General
Parent agency Attorney-General's Department (current parent agency), OFLC (Original parent agency), Australian Classification Review Board (sister agency)
Website
http://www.classification.gov.au

The Australian Classification Board is a statutory classification body formed by the Australian Government which classifies films, video games and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in Australia since its establishment in 1970. The Australian Classification Board was originally incorporated in the Office of Film and Literature Classification which was dissolved in 2006. The Attorney-General's Department now provides administrative support to the Board. Decisions made by the Board may be reviewed by the Australian Classification Review Board.

Contents

Organizations

The Classification Board is a statutory body established by the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (Cth). This Act also provides a basis for the National Classification Code which guides their decision making. As the State and Territory governments retain responsibility for enforcing censorship and could withdraw from or ignore the national classification scheme if they so wished, any changes to the national classification scheme must be agreed to by all the State and Territory Censorship Ministers (usually Attorneys-General). Despite this South Australia still maintains a separate Classification Council which can override national classification decisions in that state.

The Classification Board does not directly censor material by ordering cuts or changes. However, they are able to effectively censor media by refusing classification and making the media illegal for hire, exhibition and importation to Australia.

History

1970 saw the introduction of a newly formed classification system and body named the Australian Classification Board, a federal body that was been created to rate all films (and later in 1994, video games) that come into Australia. In the early years of the system, there were four ratings: G, for "General Exhibition"; NRC, "Not Recommended for Children"; M, for "Mature Audiences"; and R, for "Restricted Exhibition".[1] NRC later became PG and R became R18+, the G and M ratings were kept.

In 1993, the ACB introduced the MA15+ rating to fill in the gap between the M rating and the R18+ rating, due to complaints about films such as The Silence of the Lambs being too strong for the M rating (not recommended for younger audiences though any age is still allowed in) though not too high in impact to be rated R18+ (no one under 18 years of age).

The introduction of the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) occurred in 1994. The OFLC overlooked the Australian Classification Board. In 2005 the OFLC was dissolved and the Australian Classification Board was handed over to the Attorney-General's Department.

In regards to the material shown on television, there are certain restrictions regarding classification of programming on free-to-air television. Programs classified P (pre-school) and C (children) are mainly broadcast in the mornings and mid-afternoon to suit young audiences. Programs classified G to PG can be shown at any time during the day (PG-rated programs are broadcast after 9 am). Previously though, PG-rated programs could only be shown during 9:00 am - 3:00 pm during the weekday and after 7:30 pm on any given night until 6:00 am the following morning. Programs classified M can only be shown during the hours of 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm during the daytime with the exception of during the NSW school holidays, and after 8:30 pm on any given night until 5:00 am the following morning. Finally, programs classified MA 15+ cannot be shown during the daytime and until after 9:00 pm on any given night until 4:00 am the following morning.

Controversy

Certain officials were concerned the appointment of Donald McDonald as Director in 2007 facilitated the Government's ability to control or restrict material, in particular that which incites or instructs terrorism.[2] McDonald was also pressured to step down after the ban of Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom lifted.

Classification of film

In 2010, the ACB classified an uncut version of Salo R18+, mainly due to extra material providing greater context. It had been banned since 1997 with two failed attempts since then.

Classification of video games

Despite a line in the National Classification Code stating that "adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want", the adult R18+ classification does not currently exist for video games.[3]

Video game classification in Australia usually get more lenient ratings when compared to other western countries though there are instances of games be awarded a refused classification, as mentioned above this is due to Australia lacking an adults rating for video games. Michael Atkinson, who was the South Australian Attorney-General until 2010, was an opponent the introduction of the R18+ classification, and actively blocked the release of a discussion paper until just before his retirement, that canvassed the opinion of the Australian public on whether or not an R18+ classification should be introduced. Studies done by Bond University indicate that a majority of people whom they interviewed want an R18+ rating to be introduced and many psychologists back this study and condemn the position of Michael Atkinson. In a recent 6 page response to a letter he received regarding R18+ classification, Atkinson stated that "this issue has little traction with my constituents who are more concerned with real-life issues than home entertainment in imaginary worlds".[4]

Though Australia has no R18+ rating for video games, there are many examples of games getting much more lenient ratings than in other countries. Such games would include Halo 3 which got an M (15 from BBFC, M(17) from ESRB, New Zealand's OFLC a R16), The Witcher which got an MA15+ (18 from PEGI, BBFC, cut for ESRB for a M(17)), Dead Rising and its sequel a MA15+ (18 from BBFC and PEGI, Z from CERO), Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 getting a PG (17 from ESRB and CERO), Zone of the Enders (and its first sequel) getting a G8+/PG (R16 from New Zealand's OFLC, M(17+) from ESRB, 15 from BBFC and 12+ from PEGI) and Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened getting a PG (M(17) from ESRB, 16+ from PEGI)

On 14 December 2009, the Australian Government released the long awaited R18+ discussion paper, with public consultation closing on 28 February 2010. As of June 2010, the Attorney-General's department is processing submissions.[5]

Film and video game classifications

Advisory

The classifications below are advisory in nature—they do not impose any legal restrictions on access or distribution of material.[6]:

OFLC small E.svg Exempt for classification.png

OFLC small G.svg OFLC large G.svg

The content is very mild in impact.

This rating is the equivalent to the MPAA's G and the BBFC's U rating.

OFLC small PG.svg OFLC large PG.svg

The content is mild in impact.

This is the equivalent to the MPAA's and BBFC's PG rating.

OFLC small M.svg OFLC large M.svg

The content is moderate in impact.

This rating is the equivalent to the MPAA's PG-13 and the BBFC's 12A/12 rating.

Restricted

By contrast, the classifications below are legally restricted—i.e., it is illegal to sell or exhibit materials so classified to a person younger than the respective age limit.[6]

OFLC small MA15+.svg OFLC large MA15+.svg

The content is strong in impact

This rating is the equivalent to the MPAA's R and the BBFC's 15 rating.

OFLC small E.svg, OFLC small G.svg, OFLC small PG.svg, OFLC small M.svg and OFLC small MA15+.svg are the current game ratings. Games cannot be given the adult ratings OFLC small R18+.svg or OFLC small X18+.svg, instead they will be Refused Classification (Banned) and cannot be sold. However this may change if and when the dececision is passed in the Australian Government, therefore they will be able to become given the adult ratings OFLC small R18+.svg or OFLC small X18+.svg At this point however, Refused Classification games may be edited and resubmitted by their developers to garner an MA15+ classification. People under 15 are not permitted to purchase or rent films or video games classified MA15+ unless they are accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

OFLC small R18+.svg OFLC large R18+.svg

The content is high in impact.

This rating is the equivalent to the MPAA's NC-17 and the BBFC's 18 rating.

OFLC small X18+.svg OFLC large X18+.svg

This rating applies to graphic/realistic sexual content only. Films classified as X18+ (Restricted) are banned from being sold or rented in all Australian states and are only legally available in the two national territories which are the ACT and the Northern Territory. Importing X18+ material from these territories to the states is legal though.

This rating is the equivalent to the BBFC's R18 rating.

Films which are very high in impact and/or contain any type of violence in conjunction with real sexual intercourse are rated Refused Classification by the ACB. Films which may be Refused Classification include content that:

Classification is mandatory, and films that are rated Refused Classification by the ACB are banned for sale, hire or public exhibition, carrying a maximum fine of $275,000 and/or 10 years jail. It is, however, legal to possess RC films (except in Western Australia and parts of the Northern Territory), unless they contain illegal content (e.g. child pornography).

Previous video game ratings

These ratings are still shown on some older video games that are still on sale in Australia:

OFLC Rating: G G – General : The G classification is for a general audience.
OFLC Rating: G8+ G8+ – General for children over 8 years of age: Material classified G8+ may contain material which some children find confusing or upsetting, and may require the guidance of parents or guardians. It is not recommended for viewing by people under 8 without guidance from parents or guardians. This rating has since been changed to PG.
OFLC Rating: M15+ M – Mature: Despite the title, material classified M15+ is not recommended for people under 15 years of age. Nonetheless, there are still no legal restrictions thus any age is allowed to access these titles. This rating has since been changed to M and have dropped the 15 age recommendation to prevent confusion with the stronger MA15+ classification.
OFLC Rating: MA15+ (Mature Restricted) MA15+ – Mature Accompanied (Restricted): Material classified MA15+ is considered unsuitable for people under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category. People under the age of 15 are not allowed to purchase or hire unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

Any video game that did NOT fall into one of these categories were rated Refused Classification (Banned).

Members

The current permanent members of the Classification Board[7]:

Literature ratings

Unrestricted – Unrestricted

Unrestricted Mature – Unrestricted – Mature- Not recommended for readers under 15.

Restricted Category 1 – Restricted Category 1 – Not available to persons under 18 years.

Restricted Category 2 – Restricted Category 2 – Pornographic in nature; restricted as above.

Literature only needs to be classified if it contains anything that might lead to a Category 1 classification or higher. Any classified literature that does NOT fall into any of the above categories is rated Refused Classification (Banned). It is uncommon for these ratings to appear on books.

Reviews

In 2008, the board made a decision on whether or not nude photos displayed in an exhibition of work by Bill Henson should have been removed or not.[8] The board rated one of the most popular online games in the world, World of Warcraft, five years after it was released.[9]

See also

International rating systems

References

  1. ↑ "Censorship Classifications". Sydney Morning Herald: p. 87. 1 July 1973. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uLIpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JuUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4106,478776&dq=fritz+the+cat&hl=en. Retrieved 18 September 2010. 
  2. ↑ Censure as PM's pal turns censor
  3. ↑ The Classification Code; May 2005
  4. ↑ Michael Atkinson (16 November 2009). "R.18+ Classification for Electronic Games". http://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbunnitude.com%2Fmisc%2Ffiles%2FR18-Michael%2520Atkinson.pdf&pli=1l. Retrieved 16 November 2009. 
  5. ↑ An R18+ Classification for Computer Games - Public Consultation
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Classification Ratings Fact Sheets
  7. ↑ Classification Board Members
  8. ↑ "Police clear Australian artist of pornography". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Digital). 6 June 2008. http://news.smh.com.au/world/police-clear-australian-artist-of-pornography-20080606-2muj.html. Retrieved 12 May 2010. 
  9. ↑ Nick Spence, (23 October 2009). "Aussie censors want to certify iPhone apps". www.networkworld.com. Network World, Inc. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/102309-aussie-censors-want-to-certify.html. Retrieved 12 May 2010. 

External links