Attorney General John Rau urges Australian Classification Board to tighten ratings on MA15+ video games Grand Theft Auto V has hit the streets, in the global launch of the sequel of the blockbuster franchise. CHILDREN are being exposed to sex and violence in video games which should carry adult classifications, "outraging" Attorney-General John Rau and rousing him to urge national authorities to tighten up the ratings. Mr Rau said 13 video games released this year were rated only MA15+ but carried a higher age rating in Europe and the US, despite Australia's new classification system that established R18+ and tightened the lower classifications. "These particular games have been assessed as having intense violence, blood and gore, nudity and suggestive themes," Mr Rau said. I am asking the new Commonwealth Attorney-General to have a look at the way the Australian Classification Board is assessing these games and assure the community that the rules are being applied appropriately. Former SA Attorney-General Michael Atkinson was criticised for blocking the national R18+ classification for video games because he wanted to keep such games banned altogether. Mr Rau distanced himself from his predecessor's position by saying he was "not suggesting we wind back the clock and remove R18+ games from circulation." The move comes as the State Government tries to re-establish public confidence in its protection of children. An image from Mortal Kombat, one of the games now with an R18+ rating in Australia. "Unlike movies, children can be active participants in the content of video games and the effects, while largely disputed, cannot be positive," Mr Rau said. Mr Rau said he would prefer not to use the South Australian Classification Council to review the games and up their classification in the state even though he has the power. "The preferable position is to do it nationally because ... if other states had a completely different regime to ours not only would it be confusing for retailers but it would also mean there's an opportunity for people to buy online and interstate and have things posted to here," he said.