GameSpot.au reports that Left 4 Dead 2 is refused classification for sale down under, as Valve's upcoming zombie shooter sequel is the latest game to run afoul of Australia's restrictive rating system, which has rejected three other games this year (Risen, Sexy Poker, and NecroVisioN, though the latter two were approved following changes). The story also has an update with the reasoning behind this, and indications this was not a consensus decision:

The refusal largely focuses on the Board's interpretation of the game's violence finding that "The game contains realistic, frenetic and unrelenting violence which is inflicted upon "the Infected" who are living humans infected with a rabies-like virus that causes them to act violently" The ruling goes on to say that "However, it is the use of the "melee" weapons such as the crowbar, axe, chainsaw and Samurai sword which inflict the most damage. These close in attacks cause copious amounts of blood spray and splatter, decapitations and limb dismemberment as well as locational damage where contact is made to the enemy which may reveal skeletal bits and gore."

Interestingly the report also notes that "A minority of the Board is of the opinion that the violence is strong in playing impact and therefore warrants an MA 15+ classification with the consumer advice of strong violence," suggesting the ruling was anything but unanimous among Board members.