Gamers 4 Croydon have announced some candidates for the South Australian election this year. The G4C website also tells us to expect further candidates to be announced at a later date. The two candidates announced so far are Kat Nicholson and Chris Prior.
Kat Nicholson will be running directly against Michael Atkinson in the electoral district of Croydon
Some information about the candidates from the G4C website:
Candidate for Croydon: Kat Nicholson
Kat has sustained a lifelong love of both gaming and politics and is a highly intelligent, motivated and educated young woman. She completed a BA at Flinders University and is currently studying a Masters in journalism at the University of South Australia. She spent a year as an intern at one of Adelaide’s leading animation studios, and has a long history of participation in community and amateur theater.
Candidate for the Legislative Council: Chris Prior
Chris is the President of Gamers4Croydon and will be leading the G4C ticket in the upper house. He is a self-taught software engineer, and has volunteered extensively in the community, providing help for youth groups and church organisations.
More information available on the G4C website.
Gamers 4 Croydon
Grow up Australia supports the introduction of an R18+ rating for video games. We believe that adults are responsible enough to protect children from inappropriate material within the home. Our view on the government’s plan to censor the internet is a similar one.
This week over 450 websites are participating in The Great Australian Internet Blackout. An initiative that seeks to raise awareness and urge people to speak out against internet censorship. Internet service provider iiNet are participating as are the Greens.
Below are some points copied from GetUp! A form is provided on the GetUp! site to help you send your views to Senator Conroy.
- The scheme is opposed by child welfare charities, civil liberty groups and professional bodies – and with good reason.
- Both the mandatory blacklist and the optional filter miss the vast majority of unwanted content, which is normally shared using email or file-sharing networks – not through web traffic.
- ISP filtering will detract resources from tackling child abuse and waste tens of millions of dollars.
Senator Conroy has reneged on a promise to have a public consultation process on his proposed mandatory internet censorship scheme.
- His alleged public consultation is narrowly limited to one aspect of the scheme, and does not invite question of the central issue, which is whether to have a mandatory internet filter.
GetUp! has gathered over 120,000 petition signatures in opposition to mandatory internet censorship scheme.
- There are plenty of alternatives – like distributing software to parents to use at home, or making the filter opt-in rather than mandatory.
- Alarmingly, the Department has indicated that it may not publish all submissions, singling out submissions made by individuals using online tools like GetUp’s website. In short, they are threatening to censor a public consultation on accountability and transparency.
You can find more information at the following websites:
R18GamesAustralia.com
Grow up Australia has just been informed of an event in Sydney that has been organised for tomorrow. The event is being organised by a new Pro R18+ website R18+ Games Australia and aims to raise awareness about the discussion paper and encourage people to get involved in the public consultation.
You can get involved in the public consultation by using our online form or by visiting http://www.ag.gov.au/gamesclassification
R18GamesAustralia.com was created by Luke Lawrie who writes for Australian Gamer. There is also a Facebook Event you can join if you plan on attending tomorrow.
Below is the content of the email that we received today detailing the event. Hope to see you there.
MEDIA ALERT
8 January 2009
Sydney consultation for video game classification
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Gamers and non-gamers alike will be taking to the footpaths outside of the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney on Saturday the 9th of January to raise awareness about the Australian Government’s recent discussion paper regarding the classification system for video games in Australia.
The discussion paper calls for public response to the current system which, unlike that of many other nations, does not include an R18+ rating for the video game medium. This event aims to encourage participation and public response, with copies of submission forms available.
Information sheets about video games, including details about the current and proposed classification system will be made accessible on the day.
MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
Where Queen Victoria Building, Corner of George and Druitt Streets, Sydney
Date Saturday 9 January 2010
When 9:00am – 4:00pm
Sydney Event
Will 2010 be the year Australia introduces an R18+ classification for computer games?
As a result of passionate individuals voicing their opinions via blogs, social media and old fashioned word of mouth we have enjoyed a huge increase of awareness in the greater population. Due to the boost in interested people we have also seen more exposure on television, radio and in popular publications.
In 2009 numerous letters were sent to Attorneys-Generals and rallies were organised. Even a political party was formed to challenge Michael Atkinson in the upcoming state election. A petition was set up on a Queensland Government website with the intent on exploiting a possible loop-hole in a State Act.
Most significantly The government finally released the highly anticipated discussion paper and are undergoing the public consultation that they promised. This valuable opportunity to voice your opinion expires on the 28th of February 2010. You can participate directly by downloading the forms available on the Attorney-General’s Website or you can use our Online Form.
With the government appearing to take an interest It’s easy to be lulled into inaction. Individuals need to continue to raise awareness. This can be as simple as raising the topic with a friend or family member.
A number of games expected to be released this year are likely to have problems qualifying for MA15+, our highest possible rating for games. Six Games were Refused Classification in 2009 .
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