So, first the NBN 'Fraudband fiasco' and now this — Abbot's government is now apparently trying to enforce mandatory internet filtering onto Australian ISP's, which according to ZdNet:
The policy comes less than 41 hours before polls open for voting in the federal election where the Coalition is currently expected to win. It is also almost a year after the Labor government abandoned its plans for mandatory internet filtering, and three years after the Coalition announced that it would not support a policy for mandatory internet filtering.
Source ZDnet
Given the severe backlash that Conroy received in 2012 regarding the filter, it strikes me as rather odd for the Libs to even consider the plan — according to their statement (PDF document)
“This is a very different approach to the discredited compulsory filter proposal championed by the Rudd-Gillard government, which was abandoned as unworkable. The Coalition’s approach aims to empower parents — by giving them the choice of whether or not to operate a filter at home, [and] by establishing the default setting as one which provides maximum protection.”
“The Coalition will ensure there is an effective complaints system, backed by legislation, to
get harmful material down fast from large social media sites. Our approach responds to the very clear message received in our community consultations: when children are the subject of harmful material online, it is vital to have a way to get it down fast. Too often that is not available today.”
So it appears they're trying to win over the conservative voting crowd — mainly the mums and dads who worry about what their kids get up to on the Internet and who immediately raise their hands when shown the "Think of the children!" drawcard.
I'd personall would like the government to explain:
- How much will it cost taxpayers?
- By adding an additional layer to the network, what are the performance overheads (in terms of d.l. speed?)
- What is exactly on the blacklist?
- How easy is it (for kids, anyone) to bypass such a filter and render it ineffective?
- Who actually asked for it?
What do you think, citizens of Ozbargain Australia? Yay or Nay?
Update: Malcolm turnbull on the filter
Update!: The Coalition has done a backflip on the filter scheme. Video and news after the break. The original PDF document is gone and is now replaced by Turnbull stating that the Coalition has never supported ISP Filtering.
The policy which was issued today was poorly worded and incorrectly indicated that the
Coalition supported an “opt out” system of internet filtering for both mobile and fixed line
services. That is not our policy and never has been.
The correct position is that the Coalition will encourage mobile phone and internet service
providers to make available software which parents can choose to install on their own devices
to protect their children from inappropriate material.
It doesn't matter whether you vote left or right, they are all the same, totalitarian statists that want to take away all of our liberties and turn us into mindless drones. Death to the nanny state. To the child coddling soccer mums out there I have only this to say: "Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." Benjamin Franklin.