Australia's capital first state to pass complementary R18+ for games law; new classification to be implemented starting January 1, 2013.

The Australian Capital Territory has become the first jurisdiction in the country to introduce complementary R18+ for games legislation following the national introduction of an adult classification earlier this year.

The law was passed by the ACT Legislative Assembly this week. ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell said he had discussed the legislation on numerous occasions with other state and territory attorneys-general, as well as the federal government.

"The ACT Government has been a strong supporter of this new classification," Corbell said in a press statement. "By having a regulated and closely monitored R18+ industry for computer games, we can better protect those vulnerable members of our community by placing appropriate safeguards on the sale and distribution of adult-only gaming material. This will also provide those who consume such material with clearer information about the contents of adult-only games."

The federal government officially introduced the R18+ for games legislation after it passed both houses of parliament on June 18 this year. The decision to put the new legislation to parliament was made at the July 2011 meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorneys General.

The R18+ for games legislation is slated to come into effect on January 1, 2013.

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