Liberals to slash net filter
- 06 August, 2010 08:10
- Comments 20
The Federal Opposition has moved to trash the Government's highly controversial mandatory ISP-level Internet Filter.
In July, communications minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced a deal between Telstra, Optus, iPrimus and the Federal Government, that would see up to 70 per cent of Australians have filtered Internet access, while a plan to implement a mandatory filter would be delayed for a year.
Under the deal, the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will impose web content filtering for their customers and the Federal Attorney-General‘s office will also review the filter blacklist - or refused classification content - to be administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
But last night after months of staying mum on the net filter, Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey revealed the Coalition would block Labor's mandatory internet filtering policy in parliament, in a move that will signal the death of the controversial project if the Greens control the balance of power in the Federal Senate after the election.
Asked on Triple J's Hack program if the Coalition would vote for the policy if Labor won the election, Hockey's response was short and to the point.
“No,” he said.
On Triple J, Hockey described the filter as “flawed policy” and said it simply would not work, as it would not capture “a whole lot of images and chatter that we all find offensive – that are going through email”.
The interviewer attempted to move onto the next subject, but Hockey – who has been a strident opponent of the filter policy in the past – interrupted them to continue to outline the Coalition's opposition to the policy. “And I know it's a contentious issue,” he said. "The filter does not work. The ISP-based filtering system does not work. Therefore it creates a level of assumption of trust that can't be met by the technology."
Later Shadow Communications Minister Tony Smith confirmed the block was Coalition policy.
“The Coalition did not implement a mandatory ISP level filter when we were last in Government because it was not workable or effective, and offered parents a false sense of security," he said.
"A Coalition Government will not introduce a mandatory ISP level filter -- we will instead implement practical and effective measures to enhance online safety and security including PC-based filters for families. Labor’s plan is flawed and will not work, and we will have a different and better approach.”
However, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy's office says Labor will be pushing ahead with its plan despite the latest setback.
The former Howard government offered parents a free downloadable filter to block content on their own computers. Labor scrapped the program on winning office.
A spokesman for Smith said the coalition's "comprehensive" online security policy would be released in the coming days.
Senator Conroy's office insists refused classification (RC) material shouldn't be available online and that's what the filter would target.
"This content includes child sexual abuse imagery, bestiality, sexual violence, detailed instruction in crime, violence or drug use and/or material that advocates the doing of a terrorist act," a spokeswoman for the minister said.
"RC material is not available on Australian hosted websites.
"Joe Hockey needs to explain why RC material hosted on overseas websites should be available."
Other Liberal MPs also welcomed the move. "The Liberal party announces that we oppose the internet filter. A great victory for common sense!" wrote MP Jamie Briggs -- who has long opposed the policy -- on Twitter. And fellow MP Alex Hawke, who had similarly opposed the plan, agreed, also describing it as a victory for common sense.
The Coalition's move was immediately welcomed by long-term opponents to the internet filtering policy, which has been on the political agenda since mid-2007.
"This is excellent news and the Liberal party should be congratulated for finally declaring their hand," said Greens communications spokesman Senator Scott Ludlam in a statement.
"Tonight belongs to the huge number of people who contributed to a tenacious self-organised campaign that stretched from online civil libertarians all the way up to the US Department of State. The ALP should drop the censorship proposal rather than fighting what now looks inevitable.”
"The Australian Greens will work with any party in the parliament on constructive cyber safety proposals. At last that debate can start properly," Senator Ludlam said, ending his statement with the internet term 'FTW' – meaning victory.
Digital rights lobby group Electronic Frontiers Australia applauded Hockey's announcement. "The Opposition are very welcome among the ranks of those many organisations and individuals that see the filter as a policy failure,” said EFA chair Colin Jacobs in a statement.
“A mandatory censorship scheme remains Government policy. However, with The Greens long on record as opposing the internet censorship scheme, Mr Hockey's announcement means that Labor's legislation is effectively dead on arrival in the Senate.”
Jacobs called on the chief proponent of the filter policy – Communications Minister Stephen Conroy – and the Gillard Government in general to admit the policy was dead, and to move on to “a debate grounded in reality”. "The government must now listen to the experts, and get back to working on giving Australians access to better and faster broadband," he said.
The filter has been a target for severe derision online with many suggeting they would not vote for Labor should the plan continue.
Others, such as renowned security expert, Marcus Ranum, declared Australia's Internet content filter will fail to combat child porn and may not get off the ground.
( See a slideshow on how to get around filters like that Labor wants to introduce)
Additional reporting by Renai LeMay and AAP
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Comments
RS
As I said over at ZD last night...
"If this is firm policy, well done to the coalition...
Now a rethink on the NBN..." {END}
This is all we have been asking for in relation to net filtering yes or no and with a resounding no, the coalition have certainly increased their credibility in my eyes and many others, I'm sure.
Imo, they just now need to give assurances that although they may tinker with, they won't blindly scrap the NBN. If they do, I believe the majority of tech people/enthusiasts will be completely won over.
Roscoe
It's nice to know that even if the Coalition don't win the election they'll still block the legislation.
Dunno about other net users by my connection's fast enough for me as it is without any NBN.
RS
Me too Roscoe...
I'm happy enough (currently, without the next possible wave of technology, anyway) with my ADSL2+/100GB.
Thing is, the NBN is for "everyone, especially those without" (which I welcome) not just you and I.
We need to do what's best for Australia, not just what's best for "me"...!
Raymond
Hit home did I, Imbecile!
D Newman
With the filter as best as promised to be axed by the Libs, and if they produce policy that doesnt continue to shaft Australians that cant even get ADSL 1, then I will vote for that...And by that I dont mean wireless everywhere......I got more figures than most and no it is not in any shape or form a solution, its a bandaid.
And bandaids always end up way more expensive in the long run, but filter gone is a big tick in who to vote for list, just need a bit more policy from both.
D Newman
However after just reading the costing reports so far submitted by the Liberals, and the costings of what they have not yet, errr they just got a tck in the 'cant run a balance book" area.
Rather good write up about it at SMH.
Oh and the new Rudd parody video on there of him singing "I will Survie" was funny.
Something is starting to smell very funny amount these guys skill at maths.
RS
Ignorant Inbred... I'll ignore the imbecile part as we all know your vocabulary, education, literacy and social skills are sadly lacking!
All this has done is proved conclusively, what DN and I have been saying all along...LOL
You are a snivelling puppet to a political party and we will think for ourselves and vote accordingly.
This is a positive move on internet filtering "at last" from the coalition (as up until yesterday, they were fence sitting). As such a concrete decision could not be made for those, unlike you, who think before they vote, rather than voting for the one party always (as if you ever voted Labor, lol...) because aunt/mum instructed them to, since the day they were born and they know, no better!
All we have asked for is clarity and to know what we are voting for, which the coalition have now given us on the filter... but still not on their alternative for the NBN.
So as it stands and as Roscoe rightly pointed out, with it universally recognised the Greens will hold the balance of power in the Senate (and they oppose the filter too) no matter whether we vote Labor or Lib, the filter will not be implemented, as collectively the Greens and Libs will vote it down.
This announcement means that for the IT world, it has become an NBN election...!
So back to the boardroom (lol) with all the rest of the 60 year old has beens (or in your case never was) to pat each other on the backs and bald heads, idiot..LOL!
D Newman
RS and Raymond, alright enough aready with the name calling,
or im removing both your tonka toys from the sandpit.
By all means be slightly venomous or barbed, but this imbecile, inbred thing(hmmm inbred, no breakfast, hungry), is getting flaming old.
And I dont care who started it, as we all know, but come on, seriously, you think this level of maturity is getting anyone anywhere.
It isnt helping get broadband to people denied service, its become a forum of personalities, of which I am also guilty, but really enough.
RS
You're absolutely right DN...
But I do enjoy playing with one so... fickle (that's ok eh?)...LOL!
Raymond
Newman, I think you are being a little harsh! I put five words down and get twenty plus lines of tripe from a nobody called RS.
This thing RS seems to adopt the name of imbecile, for everytime that word is used he responds, what am I to think, I would also think that it has been some time since I directed any comment to that thing RS!
Newman, I do my bit for the broadband we have today, for whatever it may be worth, I would even go so far as to suggest your own employer has your DSlams built by a Sydney company! Optus as well by the same company! as is TPG, and Powertel all by the same company.
So Newman if there are people who answer to Imbecile, well that is not my problem, that poor thing does have a problem actually many! therefore Newman, if was completely ignored, you would have to concern your little cotton pickin self dear boy! Do it to them before they do it to you,allows me to sleep very well! Some imbecile will make comment on this, and when that happens, take it up with that Imbecile.....LOL!
RS
DN it all stems back to Raymond (the Ingnorant Inbred) being systematically disected and humiliated, sobbing and begging the Editors to ban me... saying he would NEVER correspond with me ever again, LOL!!!!!!
So I mentioned that I wasn't scared to correspond with him and continued. At first he didn't know what to do as I was left to say as I wished.
Now being the complete cretin, he then devised this masterplan (LOL) to answer each and every one of my posts, by number or correspondence detail, but not use my name, LOL...
He somehow equated this in his void like bald old head, that he wouldn't be corresponding to me this way, LOL, what an idiot and a blatant liar...
He instead started to address correspondence to the imbecile. Now I got sick of saying "Raymond stop talking to yourself" and lowering myself to his childlike mentality!
But interestingly, everything he just said goes for him too x 2. He firstly quickly replied to ape and more recently his actual name, Ignorant Inbred.
Raymond seriously you are FOS. Nobody with your handicapped intellect could have done one tenth of the things you lie about and if you and your idiot outlook on life, are on the board of any company, god help them.
My only tip to you, is try to get a job in porn, because you my friend [sic] you are without doubt the biggest c**k I have ever had the displeasure to correspond with.
In saying that cya soon...for more fun at your expense stupid, LOL!!!
Raymond
Newman, ball in you're court, if you don't like the imbecile being taunted,perhaps you could beg him to ignore me! I would like that as well! You could ask the Imbecile what was on Dr Phil, he is a huge fan, he is searching for the meaning of life on Dr Phil!
You might also ask him what Labor booth he will be handing out how to vote cards, I would really love to meet him, I mean I would really, really like to bump into him!
Wonder if he would have the guts to name a place!
RS
@#12 LOL... And again like I said to you, fool, at another CW thread...
The comms mogul, Ignorant Imbred doesn't even know Dr Phil, LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dr Phil "Burgess"... Telstra mouthpiece circa 2005 -2008, you illiterate idiot....LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He said if the G9/Terria won the NBN contract, they'd be the dog who chased and caught the bus and when he caught it, didn't know what to do with it.
Back to school idiot!
Then he steals my lines again about the bald head (this time he steals my line about handing out how to vote cards)...LOL!!!
You are priceless stupid!
Raymond
We all know the truth of which Dr Phil you sweaty baldy Imbecile! please make some comment about Labor pinching money from the Gershon fund, please make some comment about the massive debt,mining tax that will kill the NBN
and please,please indicate where you will hand out cards, would really love to bump into you
RS
Yes we do know and you have again been humiliated, LOL. How embarrassing for you, eh stupid? Dr Phil...
And please old man, get you own lines, both bald and voting cards are copyrighted by me.
I'm getting to you aren't I, Ignorant Imbred...LOL? Better say you'll never ever (in Howard speak just for you) correspond with me ever again, umm again...LOL
Ooh and don't forget to answer me here -
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/355781/why_do_nbn_better_cheaper_faster_/#comment-80018
D Newman
Seriously guys, both of you look back at this page, I post saying stop calling each other names, and you BOTH then proceed to go 3000 odd words between you calling each names.
So either I have just discovered the art of pure troll baiting, or both of you need a time out or slap on the nose with a rolled up newspaper.
Either way YOU both highlighted YOU are both the problem, because one has to responed to the other, (in the name calling).
RS
Well after the "Dr. Phil" incident, perhaps that will be the catalyst for commonsense and decency (my soul aim of continuing to be here) to come to the fore, at last DN...?
Raymond
Newman this may come as a shock to you and that imbecile conceived by a stray drop, this site site does not belong to either of you,why don't you both just ignore me, I intend to continue, my opinions right or wrong, are based on the part of the industry I work in and build. The Imbecile cannot help himself,so badly caught out atching Oprah and Dr Phil, because of the time he has not working!
Newman you have had plenty to say on everything,just ignore me both of you and all stops,I will have my bits to say, you can take the moral highground on everything, and the Imbecile can pontificate on all things, thinking people like to read his bile,ever noticed how the imbecile has never been first cap off the rank,not an original thought ever! so please be my guest with your wet rolled paper, step up and have a crack@ 190 and 105 bring plenty with you, and DON'T miss! otherwise I will really start to enjoy myself,oh to bump into the Imbecile just once!
So it is all agreed, neither of you will ever address any comments of mine!
D Newman
Raymond , EGO have picked res off solum of meus shoe , ut EGO congruo per praeter vos. Vos have obviously been sublimis per haud moral vexillum procul totus , ut ostendo vobis numerus deficio futurus dignified in quisquam vos narro. Vos es sic penuria in erudio quod gestum , procul optimus EGO puto vos opus ut a bathroom famulor manus manus sicco spiritus mints quod towels.
@RS commonsense and decency are the mark of a man, and is an admirable trait to pursue in any endeavour.
RS
@19... yes indeed DN but alas, some sadly do not have the level of intelligence to comprehend such an endeavour.
@18.... In relation to commonsense... may be not... sigh.
Isn't it sad when someone is so insecure and conceited, that even when proven 100% wrong, he is simply not man enough to own up to his errors and will make any lame excuse to try to vainly cover his mistakes and then, have the audacity to claim that he is right.
I made a comment in relation to the "dog that caught the bus"... which was a classic comment made by Dr. Phil "BURGESS" (formerly of Telstra) that every "knowledgeable" comms person would know.
But one insecure little uneducated boy, who showed his lack of intelligence and mouthed off about TV's Dr. Phil, will still argue that he is right, when E V E R Y O N E else knows he is wrong...
So seriously, keeping this in mind, can anybody truly believe such a person is a successful businessman/board member? Or like the denials, can we just file him under Internet Liar?
I think it's obvious...
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