Submission to The Treasury on the Digital Economy and Australia’s Corporate Tax System
IGEA has made a submission to The Treasury on its consultation on the digital economy and Australia’s corporate tax system.
IGEA’s submission made the following arguments:
- No sufficient case has been made for undertaking interim tax measures, noting that “scale without mass” is not unique to some digital businesses but is a trait of many businesses across traditional industries
- Unilateral interim measures will be complex and problematic, with risks ranging from double-taxation and significant compliance costs to impacts on investment and consumers
- Reform of the international tax system through multi-lateral arrangements is the only genuinely workable path ahead for Australia
- Digital game content are not purely digital goods, are economically-valuable products that do not rely on user-created value, are already subject to a range of tax integrity rules, and already attract Australian GST
- Digital game storefronts are not intermediation services but are often simply digital extensions of physical game stores, with the added difference that they also invest heavily into developing and selling their own hardware and software
- There are significant, practical considerations around the taxation of online advertising and user contributions and impact on Australian start-ups that would need to be resolved before any interim measures can be introduced
On 20 March 2019, the Treasurer announced that, following the consultation process, the Government has decided to continue to focus on engaging in a multilateral process and would not proceed with any interim measures.
Gamespot takes an in-depth look at the Australian Government Report into R18+
Laura Parker at gamespot.com.au has written a fantastic story about the recently Government Report into R18+ public consultation.
Following the initial news that 98.2 percent of the 59,678 public submissions received by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department were in favour of introducing R18+, GameSpot AU has combed the report’s contents to present a detailed summary of the key points. See here
Support for an R18+ Growing
22 February 2010
For Immediate Release
Support for an R18+, Growing
The Attorney-General’s Department is set to receive an influx of submissions from people who support the introduction of an R18+ category for computer games into the Australian classification system. The submissions were made via an online form provided by Grow up Australia, an independent group advocating the introduction of an adults only rating for games.
Grow up Australia will contribute 16,055 submissions from people who used their online form. The bulk of the submissions were collected during a partnership with EB Games during which Grow up Australia posters were displayed in all of EB Games’ 250+ Australian stores. A link to the online submission form was also provided via a banner on the EB Games website during the campaign. (more…)
iGEA Responds to R18+ Discussion Paper
R18+ Classification for Video Games: Industry Responds to Discussion Paper
Sydney, February 15, 2010 – The Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (iGEA) has today made its submission to Attorney-General’s Department on the proposed R18+ classification for video games in Australia. Representing platform holders, publishers and distributors, the iGEA appeals for an R18+ classification to cater to the maturing gaming population and ensure consistent classification amongst other forms of entertainment.
Ron Curry, CEO of the iGEA, says there is overwhelming support for an adult rating not only amongst gamers but parents, families and the wider community.
“Australia needs an adult rating so adults can play games that are age appropriate for them and parents can make educated choices for their families based on clear, consistent guidelines. With the deadline for submissions closing on February 28, we urge the community to make their voices heard in support of an adult classification,” said Curry.
Australia is currently the only Western country without an adult classification for video games with the maximum rating MA15+. Yet despite this, the release of the discussion paper last December has unveiled mass approval for an R18+ classification for video games across a wide range of polls conducted in the media;
- News Limited’s poll shows 95.5 per cent of respondents vote for an R18+ classification and 4 per cent vote against it (1)
- A poll conducted by Fairfax indicates 97 per cent of respondents believe Australia should introduce an R18+ rating for video games and 3 per cent are against it (2)
- A Channel 7 Sunrise’s poll reveals 97 per cent of respondents would like R18+ games permitted in Australia and 3 per cent would not (3)
- Furthermore, the Interactive Australia 09 report by Bond University found that 91 per cent of gamers and non-gamers believe the classification should be introduced (4)
- “There have been some claims an R18+ classification will expose Australia to unlimited high level content but this is simply not the case. The Classification Board will still refuse games that exceed the adult rating guidelines.
An R18+ classification is essential to protect consumers whilst providing them with the full information to make educated decisions about their entertainment choices,” said Curry.
To sign a petition for an R18+ classification for video games, you can log on to http://www.growupaustralia.com/ or directly at the Attorney-General’s Department at http://www.ag.gov.au/gamesclassification.
The iGEA’s submission can be found here.
This is the first time Censorship Ministers have undertaken public consultation on this issue, with submissions welcomed until close of business on February 28, 2010.
(1) News Limited, 2010, ‘Do you want an R18+ for games?’
(2) Fairfax Digital, 2009, ‘Should Australia introduce an R18+ for video games?’,
(3) Yahoo7!, 2009, ‘Would you like R18+ rated games permitted?’
(4) Interactive Australia 2009, National Research prepared by Professor J. Brand, Bond University for the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia, 2008
No word from Government on R18+ response
Laura Parker over at gamespot, reports that the Australian federal government is remaining noncommittal on the effects of the R18+ discussion paper; and says public view will merely “inform [the] decision” on R18+ for games.
To read more click here
The time to be heard is now: EB Games launches R18+ Classification Petition
| BRISBANE, Queensland–Feb. 03, 2010—EB Games, Australia’s largest video game and entertainment software retailer, today announced that they will be responding to overwhelming customer demand by throwing their full support behind the push for an R18+ classification for computer games in Australia. From today, in all 350 EB Games stores across Australia and online at http://www.ebgames.com.au/consumers will be able to sign a petition that will be used to lobby the Government to introduce an R18+ classification category for computer games. This petition is in response to the Government’s discussion paper and calls for submissions on the topic of: Should the Australian National Classification Scheme include an R 18+ classification category for computer games?When asked why EB Games has chosen to take the unprecedented step of supporting this issue with an instore and online campaign, Managing Director Steve Wilson responded, “Because our customers asked us to.” St (more…) |
GameSpot examines the pro-R18+ groups in Australia
GameSpot AU takes a look at the biggest and most active pro-R18+ groups here in Australia and how they are trying to rally the Australian population behind the cause.
To read about the different groups and see how you can become involved, click here