Daryl Williams
WA Federal
Member of the House of Reps
Liberal Party
Electorate: Tagney
2002: Votes against R18+ for games
In November 2002, as the Federal Attorney General, he voted against the introduction of an R18+ for games.
Quoted from:
R-rated computer games ban to stay. The Age 08.11.02
The attorneys-general met in Fremantle, Western
Australia, until late last night, but Mr Williams' spokeswoman said it was
his intention to oppose the scheme because of concerns that violence in
interactive games had a greater influence on behaviour than violence in
films.
"The Commonwealth position is that it will not support the expansion
of the R18 classification to computer games, in view of the interactive
nature of computer games," the spokeswoman said.
"It's appropriate to have a stricter regime in relation to this area
... (as) the likelihood of children gaining access to adult computer games
increases if the material is legally available."
In order to change the regime, all nine attorneys would have to agree
unanimously, so Mr Williams' opposition, teamed with at least one other
attorney - from South Australia - will defeat the reforms.
David Winderlich
SA State
Legislative Council
Independent
Supported the 2009 bill introduced by Family First's Dennis Hood for stores to sperate R18+ material from lower classifications.
South Australia
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Wednesday 3 June 2009
CLASSIFICATION (PUBLICATIONS, FILMS AND COMPUTER GAMES) (R 18+ FILMS) AMENDMENT BILL
Adjourned debate on second reading.
(Continued from 29 April. Page 2110.)
The Hon. DAVID WINDERLICH (17:45): I am generally supportive of this bill. I just have some questions about amendment No. 5, which relates to height or size restrictions. I am not sure how workable they are. I am generally supportive of the intent of the bill. Too often we confuse censorship, which is not allowing adults to look at or view certain things, with an unlimited right to promote, advertise or display certain products. I think the two things are quite different.
I think it should be possible to go to Brumby's to get a loaf of bread without necessarily walking through a gallery of porn. I think that is particularly important for children. It does confuse children's ideas about the balance of a relationship. I do not see it as anything to do with censorship. I simply see it as a control or regulation of display and ensuring some appropriate controls about what sorts of items are displayed in what contexts and who can see them. Generally, I am supportive, but I will be interested to hear discussion about the particular requirements around the size of display materials, because I am not sure that they are workable.
Nick Xenophon
SA Federal
Member of the Senate (from 2008)
Independent
SA State
Member of the Legislative Council
Independent
2005: Called for books to be rated
During a debate he suggested that books should be classified.
LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL
Thursday
3 March 2005
CLASSIFICATION (PUBLICATIONS, FILMS AND COMPUTER GAMES) (TYPES OF CLASSIFICATIONS) AMENDMENT BILL
Adjourned
debate on second reading.
(Continued
from 28 February. Page 1178.)
The Hon. NICK XENOPHON: I note that there have been campaigns in the past in relation to there being a similar system of classification for books, and I emphasise that that is not about censorship but to give some guidance to parents and schools as to the sorts of material there may be in books that could disturb or offend, particularly for younger children. I think that is something that ought to be looked at in the context of providing guidance and warning to consumers, particularly to parents of young children. I support the second reading of this bill.
***
2005: Called for TAMAGOTCHI game to be banned
In August 2005 he called for the children's game TAMAGOTCHI VERSION 2 to be Refused Classification, or at least rated R18+ because he believed it promoted gambling.
Quoted from:
MP seeks ban on game. The Adelaide Advertiser 04.08.05
"I don't want the kids of today to
become the gambling addicts of tomorrow with a game like this,"
"Any parent has a right to be alarmed.
It's about time we blew the whistle on this sort of game."
Quoted from:
Crusader seeks Tamagotchi ban. News.com.au 03.08.05
"This virtual pet encourages children as young as four to participate
in poker machine-style gambling,"
"Kids become so emotionally attached to these toys that they grieve
for them when they die.
"This version ... should not be available to children.
"Research here and overseas shows that these games can turn the kids
of today in to the gambling addicts of tomorrow."
Quoted from:
Gambling games for kids under fire. The
Courier-Mail 20.08.05
Nick Xenophon, from the No Pokies party,
said the gambling component of the toy was brought to his attention by a
concerned father, who found his six-year-old son trying to win virtual
rewards in the game.
He said the "disturbing" addition could inspire problem gambling in its young users as it rewarded players as young as four years old for placing bets.
"I don't want the kids of today to become the gambling addicts of tomorrow," he said. "I think there at least needs to be consumer advice on it. Some parents might say they're not concerned about it, but it should be an informed choice."
Mr Xenophon appealed to Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock, the OFLC and games outlets for the game to be classified or withdrawn from sale.
***
2008: Speaks against an R18+ for games
In July 2008 Xenophon had just taken his spot in the Federal Senate. He appeared on the ABC's Q&A program and had this to say about an R18+ games rating.
ABC
Q&A Program
24.07.08
Joab Gilroy: In 2008 there have been a number of video games banned from sale or refused classification, this is due to the fact that Australia does not have a R rat- R18 rating for video games. What does the panel think of the fact that the Australian government actively censors what its citizens can and can't see?
Senator Nick Xenophon: I think we need to listen to the psychologists who've looked into this. And this is different in the sense it's interactive. People get immersed in these games and I think there's a real risk. I think as a society we can live without it.
Tony Jones: But does the risk warrant censorship?
Sen. Xenophon: Look, I think it does, when you look at some of the concerns of what it can trigger in some minds, then I think we need to be just a bit cautious about it.
***
2008: Supports censoring of internet
In October 2008 he offered his opinion on Stephen Conroy's internet censorship plan.
Quoted from:
Net filters may block porn and gambling sites SMH 27.10.08
A spokesman for Senator Xenophon said, should the filtering plan go ahead, he would look to use it to block Australians from accessing overseas online casino sites, which are illegal to run in Australia.
