Michael Atkinson Steps Down As Attorney-General

Michael Atkinson, one of the key figures in the blocking of an R18+ videogame rating in Australia has decided to step down from his position as South Australian Attorney-General.

Atkinson, who has in the past been subject of many posts on Negative Gamer, has decided that ‘œthere should be a renewal’ in political talent and that him not being able to watch his son play football due to his hectic schedule was a factor in his decision.

Atkinson has been a stark opponent of the R18+ rating, which has left many games either unsold, or edited in order to allow sale in Australia. The introduction of an R18+ rating would require an agreement between all Attorney-Generals across Australia, so with him removed there stands a better chance of it being approved. Atkinson will remain in parliament as a backbencher until 2014, but will hand over the Attorney-General title immediately.

Hopefully this will be the foundations of the R18+ rating in Australia, meaning that Australian gamers won’t have to play censored videogames and can enjoy titles as they were meant to be played.