Labor's renewed commitment to mandatory internet filter 'bloody minded'

Further evidence from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and content providers at the Cyber Safety Committee roundtable in Melbourne today ought to spell the end of Labor’s deeply flawed proposal for mandatory internet filtering, said the Member for Mitchell, and Deputy Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety, Alex Hawke MP.

“In spite of serious opposition and ongoing concern expressed by virtually every sector, Senator Conroy and the Gillard Government appear bloody minded in their pursuit of mandatory internet filtering,” Mr Hawke said.

“Evidence from parent groups, ISP providers, teacher unions, internet peak bodies, such as the Safer Internet Group and the Internet Industry Association, has reinforced the need for better education of parents, teachers, and children and the need for greater resources for law enforcement such as the AFP.

“All of the evidence from key affected groups before the Committee has been that a filter is too simplistic, will not achieve the objectives the Government is seeking, and will do nothing to prevent illegal and inappropriate online behaviour.

“Senator Conroy should examine the evidence that the committee has heard, in particular that the best way to protect internet users online is to train children and adults to learn to use the filter between their ears.”

Mr Hawke said that today the Cyber Safety Committee has heard that content filtering does not solve problems of identity theft, cyber bullying, cyber stalking, and many of the other concerns of internet use.

“Senator Conroy’s claims that a mandatory internet filter is about child pornography are a complete sham in light of the evidence heard by the Cyber Safety Committee in recent weeks,” Mr Hawke said.

“His comments that people looking for alternative solutions are “opting in” to child pornography are particularly insulting to Australian internet users.

“This highly illegal content does need to be dealt with by strong and adequate law enforcement and effective partnership with industry and parents.

“In contrast to this, the action of the Rudd/Gillard Government has been to dump the free, voluntary NetAlert filtering software of the previous Government, described today as ‘one of those gems of Government policy that worked’, by Mr John Lindsay of Internode and supported as effective by the Internet Industry Association.

“It should also be noted that the Rudd Government cut funding to online enforcement by the AFP in 2008 in preparation for the online filter.”

Mr Hawke said that this week’s announcement that Labor will proceed to introduce legislation for Mandatory Internet Filtering if re-elected serve as a warning to internet users and in particular young people across Australia.  

“As the saying goes—‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions’— and the Government in this bloody minded pursuit of a deeply flawed policy will have major ramifications for all internet users with little to no benefit. Good intentions need to be supported by good evidence based policy,” Mr Hawke said.

“Australian internet users need to be aware that if the Gillard Government is re-elected they will pursue mandatory internet filtering regardless of the strong evidence emerging that it will not achieve their own objectives.”