The long-awaited introduction of an adults-only rating for video games in Australia could be a step closer after South Australia's Michael Atkinson yesterday resigned from his position as Attorney-General.

Mr Atkinson has been the South Australian Attorney-General since 2002 and has frustrated attempts to introduce an R18+ rating for games because its introduction requires unanimous support from all state and federal classification ministers.

Had enough ... former South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson.

"There ought to be renewal in the ministry,’’ he told reporters.

"There are talented people on the Labor backbench who deserve a go. I don’t think we want all the Labor ministers leaving in a bunch about the 2014 general election and so it’s important that that renewal be staged.’’

