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| Ian Gilfillan Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
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| Attorney General News Youth Affairs News |
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| Ian Gilfillan Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
News Release |
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| Attorney General News Youth Affairs News |
Tuesday 21st November 2000
GRAFFITI, GUNS OR VIOLENCE?Democrats’ Shadow Attorney-General today called for sensible community debate on the banning of video games that encouraged spray painting and graffiti.
"There seems be great outrage that a video game encouraging graffiti might be approved yet there are hundreds of movies and video games out there that depict violent assault and basically amount to firearms target practice for players.
This came following comments from the State Attorney-General, Trevor Griffin and Adelaide City Councillor Bert Taylor about a new video game in which players must spray paint graffiti across buildings.
"While I recognise the significant financial cost to the community of graffiti I’m not sure simply banning video games such as the Sega Dreamcast game ‘Jet Set Radio’ is the answer, Mr Gilfillan said.
"There are a couple of pertinent queries I would raise with this matter.
"Firstly, we need to consider why young people want to graffiti in public spaces – is it boredom or perhaps lack of constructive activities offered that engage youth? At a recent regional youth conference I hosted, young people highlighted having nothing to do as being a major cause of vandalism in country areas.
"And if we do ban games such as this one, it could give games like this a cult status, and encourage black market production of video games.
"We need to be considering the high price of anti social behaviours these violent video games can encourage, not just games such as this particular one."
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Ian Gilfillan
