[LINK] Lundy calls for net filter opt-out

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

Lundy calls for net filter opt-out
By James Massola at Parliament House
24 Feb, 2010 02:08 PM
Canberra Times
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/lundy-calls-for-net-filter-optout/1760186.aspx

ACT Labor Senator Kate Lundy has called for an "opt-out'' option for the Federal Government's proposed mandatory internet filter.

Senator Lundy has been a vocal opponent of the filter, a position that puts her at odds with the Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy.

Writing on her blog, Senator Lundy said households should be able to choose the level of filtering they want.

She said internet services providers should be required "to provide an Open Internet service as one of the Mandatory Options to Internet subscribers, creating the ability to opt out.'' 

"I think mandating the provision of an Open Internet service in legislation for all ISPs also protects the civil libertarian principles of freedom of information and speech whilst not diminishing the ability of the authorities to tackle illegal content such as child pornography where is found.''

Senator Lundy said she would propose the ''opt out'' when the filtering legislation went before caucus.

The comments come after the Safer Internet Group, which includes Google, Yahoo, the Australian Library and Information Association and the Inspire Foundation issued a call for effective action to protect internet users.

The group said that Labor's plan for a mandatory filter could give parents a "false sense of security''.

"As a large proportion of child sexual abuse content is not found on public websites, but in chat-rooms or peer-to-peer networks, we know the proposed filtering regime will not effectively protect children from this objectionable material,'' the group said in a statement.


Comment is being sought from Senator Conroy.

-- 
Regards
brd

Canberra Australia
brd at iimetro.com.au