news The Opposition has formed a new working group to deal with the issue of online safety for Australian children, stating that its rival policy will avoid the “ham-fisted” “cyber-censorship” mandatory Internet filtering approach that remains Labor Federal Government policy for dealing with the issue of how children are protected from Internet nasties.
Labor’s highly controversial Internet filter policy was introduced before the 2007 election and would have seen Australian ISPs forced to block a blacklist of sites containing illegal content as defined by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. However, it has not been implemented yet, due to a high degree of public opposition to the proposal that has seen both the Coalition and Greens oppose it, meaning Labor is unlikely to have enough parliamentary support to push through necessary legislation for the policy.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbot issued a statement last week noting that in a relatively short period of time, the Internet has transformed the lives of Australians. “However, there are also risks, and children are particular vulnerable,” Abbott said. “These risks include children being exposed to illegal or inappropriate content and the increasing use of social media as a forum for online bullying.”
“Today’s online environment,” Abbot added, “extends well beyond accessing websites and email through the family desktop computer. It also includes a range of interactive activities like social networking sites, SMS messaging, Skype, apps and games. It is also becoming far more accessible with children and young people connecting with each other through computers (in homes, schools and libraries), game consoles and mobile devices like smartphones and tablet computers.”
Abbott said the Coalition would not seek to repeat “Labor’s ham-fisted attempt to put a filter on the internet” or to “hinder the dynamic nature of the online environment”. “This is about protecting cyber-privacy. It’s not about trying to enforce cyber-censorship,” he added. And separately, at a press conference last week: “… this is not about censorship of the internet. I don’t believe in internet censorship, never have and never will. This is about online protections, not about online censorship.”
However, the Liberal Leader added, the Coalition did want to assist and equip parents and teachers in their work protecting children and preparing them for adulthood.
To this end, he said, said the Coalition would set up a working group to tackle the issue, with the aim of reporting back to him by mid-2012 on how the issue could be tackled. The group will be chaired by Liberal MP Paul Fletcher, who is one of the Opposition’s chief parliamentarians interested in telecommunications, with a background as a senior Optus executive.
Also joining Fletcher in the group will be Senator Gary Humphries, MP Alex Hawke, MP Natasha Griggs, MP Wyatt Roy, MP Patrick Secker, Senator Stephen Parry, Senator Bridget McKenzie and MP Luke Simpkins. Hawke is notable for regularly commenting on matters in the technology portfolio, while Roy is the Federal Parliament’s youngest member, at the age of 21.
Abbott noted that the working group would also work closely with shadow ministers with portfolio responsibility for online safety — “particularly the shadow ministers for education and communications” (Malcolm Turnbull and Christopher Pyne). A series of roundtables and community forums will be held across Australia as well as online over the coming months to take feedback on the issue.
At a press conference last week, Abbott took a question on the extent to which Internet service providers — which have largely remained opposed to the Internet filter project — would be involved in the consultation. “Look, certainly we welcome the input from the sector and yes, internet service providers are a very important part of the sector,” Abbott said. “We welcome their input. As I said though, our focus is going to be on hearing from parents, teachers and other carers, what tools do they need, do they think they need to keep our kids safe.”
However, Abbott also noted that one of the “real problems”, “one of the very hard problems” to deal with, is what could be done about web sites based overseas, “which contain offensive and defamatory material”. It is this problem which the Government’s Internet filter policy has been aimed at resolving.
opinion/analysis
It seems very much like someone — likely Paul Fletcher — has gotten to Abbott and convinced him that the Coalition needs to take a proactive stance on this issue, as it is an obvious area where Coalition policy can be demonstrated to be more desirable than Labor policy, given the unpopularity of the Internet filter policy.
In addition, by investigating the issue, Abbott can be seen to be actively doing something about it — which should do much to placate some of the more conservative elements of society, which have been demanding action on the issue from both parties for years.
Now, I won’t say that I am completely confident of the Coalition’s stance on protecting children online, as we have yet to see what the working group will recommend, come the delivery of its report in mid-2012. However, I have to say that early indications are positive. For once, Abbott and his team appear to understand what they are dealing with when it comes to technology, and I am expecting good things to come out of this initiative.
Certainly, anything that the Coalition proposes couldn’t possibly be a worse policy than Labor’s Internet filter, which still remains on the books.
Good to see Hawke on the panel, Hawke has been very vocal about the filter and seems to understand technology reasonably well for a poli, although not as savvy as Ludlum. Turnbull and Roy are probably good inclusions as well.
The thing that concerns me is this quote, “our focus is going to be on hearing from parents, teachers and other carers, what tools do they need, do they think they need to keep our kids safe.”
To me this is too narrow a representation, will not address technical concerns and will be an extremely emotive response to something that needs a broader approach.
For example – a teacher or parent states “I want to ensure the children don’t stumble on sites with nude people on them without me having to install “complicated” software or “monitor the children 24/7”. Straight away a techie, if included would be able to advise them how easy it actually is to set up a school or home based filtering solution. Other representatives could highlight and reinforce the need for child supervision. People who aren’t tech savvy tend to go for a solution that requires less work, ie rather than education and client side solutions – a ISP or National solution that doesn’t require parental, carer or teacher responsibility. Hope it doesn’t happen but the risk is there.
…no ham-fisted internet filter, but ham-strung broadband policy…
Bacon day!
I like the current stalemate; we get an NBN and no Internet filter :)
Honestly only the gullible would think abbott would keep his word
Yeah Like Gillard has kept every one of her promises.
Minority governments are hard that way, having to compromise all the time.
A couple of things that Abbott has said have me looking at this with some caution.
Firstly he is reported as saying “our focus is going to be on hearing from parents, teachers and other carers, what tools do they need, do they think they need to keep our kids safe.” It is this cry of “keeping our kids safe” that led to the Labor mandatory filter proposal. If the Coalition stick to providing the parents with the tools and the information they need so they can educate their children about using modern telecommunication equipment and the internet safely then I have no problem. As soon as the politicians step in and try to make things safe for the children instead of insisting it is the parents responsibility I predict problems.
The second thing Abbott has said is “one of the very hard problems” to deal with, is what could be done about web sites based overseas, “which contain offensive and defamatory material”. This is the rational behind the Labor mandatory filter which was intended to block this material. If the Coalition want to stop access to this type of material themselves then they are aligning themselves with the Labor approach. The only answer is blocking the material by filtering of some sort. The Howard government introduced a system to allow parents to stop their kids accessing this type of material and its re-introduction would not be of concern unlike a uniform government based approach. Most people would agree with me that what is “offensive and defamatory material” to one person is likely to be perfectly acceptable to another.
I am a long way from being confident that the Coalition is going to be able to put together a policy on the internet and filtering that doesn’t include some form of censorship.
Will be interesting to see:
(a) if the coalition support the repeal of Schedules 5 and 7 of the Broadcasting Services Act (which they introduced and championed) which have essentially been the basis of the ALP’s filtering plan (this will amount to admitting the coaltion’s policy is, and was always, crap); and
(b) whether the coalition recommend that Telstra/Optus (and soon to be iinet/internode) stop voluntarily filtering child abuse material for 70% of the AUstralian b/band subsribers (soon to be 80% once internode/iinet jump on board).
If they do, their justifications will make for some very interesting reading.
internode have stated many times (and continued to since the iinet news broke) that they will not be voluntarily filtering the internet, and only will when they are legally required to.
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1833450&p=4#r74
afaik iinet’s stance is still not a given, it is a maybe. which could easily stay as a “no” as it is now.
we’ll see….
“Labor’s highly controversial Internet filter policy was introduced before the 2007 election and would have seen Australian ISPs forced to block a blacklist of sites containing illegal content as defined by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. ”
My understanding is that illegal content is already blocked or can be blocked using current legislation. The filter seeked to blanket block material that are legal for adults but inappropriate for children. An example was a website that was campaigns against abortion was blocked for graphical images of aborted foetus, such images are in no way illegal.
And that is the issue with the filter – that everyone in Australia is blocked from any kind of adult contents on the web. Imagine if all broadcast and pay TV programmes and video store videos rated above PG were blocked. The filter is doing the same thing.
how do you install “complicated” software on an ipad? or iphone?
we don’t only just use PCs now to access the internet
Very easily actually. If they work off wifi you can extend a local net filter solution to your mobile devices or you can choose from many many software options which you only have to google for or search the iTunes store.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mobicip-safe-browser/id299153586?mt=8
and you think any normal person will be able to do that?
I am not for an internet filter but the issue is very complicated
What do you mean by “that”? Install an app? Yes, I believe “normal” people are able to install apps.
@Simon
If you don’t have the knowledge to install an App or basic internet filter then maybe you shouldn’t give you’re kids ipads? I’m sure little Timmy is more interested in playing angry birds than looking up pictures of aborted foetuses.
Simon,
You asked about installing software filtering solutions on an ipad and iphone. I would assume that since you asked it relates to either yourself (owning or actively using either of the devices) or someone else close to you, ie friends or family.
Given that the iPad revolves around applications and a big part of the iPhone is about apps as well, I would imagine you or the person you are enquiring for has managed to install an application at least once before on the device, whether it be angry birds, facebook, twitter, a banking app or something along those lines.
The link I posted above is one of many applications that make browsing the web more friendly for people who don’t want certain content viewed. It is absolutely no different than installing any other application on an iPhone or iPad.
If someone doesn’t know how to install an app on an Apple product they probably shouldn’t be using them in the first place. If the iPhone is being used purely as a phone then you don’t need a software filter and an iPad without applications on it is a glorified notepad and in my opinion a waste of money.
Lets be very clear here – What you said about it being complicated for a “normal person” is completely false. If my grandmother of 75 years old can install solitare on her phone then I’m sure you can install software as well, its the whole purpose of having those devices in the first place!
Well seeing the last time they gave away a simple software program to filter the internet and failed i don’t see many paying money for one on the app store. Also what happens if you install this app for you kid give them the phone and then find them looking at something that you thought the app blocked, Do you sue the app maker? Who is to blame?
also what a small minded world you live in if you think everyone is like us who spend time reading tech blogs and can pull a PC apart and put it back together in our sleep.
I have no interest in filtering the net or for anyone else i know, i was just saying it’s a complex issue which can’t have a simple answer.
Well i am glad you and your Grandmother can install an app on a iPhone but again the world is bigger then just the 2 of you.
Education should be the first course of action.
I’ll address each part the best I can
“Well seeing the last time they gave away a simple software program to filter the internet and failed i don’t see many paying money for one on the app store.”
– Then protecting children from content musn’t be very important to those people who aren’t willing to shell out $5 for the piece of mind. If you have a look on the app store there are free options available.
On the topic of Netalert being a failure I beg to differ. The concept of Netalert was sound, the application itself was reasonably good. The simple reason it “failed” was lack of demand, nobody bar a handful of people saw any benefit in it. Also remember, there are ISP’s out there who offer a “clean feed” for example Webshield. If the problem is as big as you seem to think then why aren’t they one of the biggest ISP’s in Australia with lots of customers?
“Also what happens if you install this app for you kid give them the phone and then find them looking at something that you thought the app blocked, Do you sue the app maker? Who is to blame?”
– Client side filtering applications have been around for over 10 years, I cannot remember seeing or hearing about a single consumer complaint or litigation against the vendor, why should that change now?? Same goes with ISP’s like WebShield, I don’t see them going to court every second week because a parent got upset their kid saw a woman in her underpants on the Target website.
“also what a small minded world you live in if you think everyone is like us who spend time reading tech blogs and can pull a PC apart and put it back together in our sleep.”
– What the hell does looking at tech blogs and pulling PC’s apart got to do with installing an app from the iTunes app store? Most people I know DON’T look at tech blogs, DON’T pull PC’s apart but own either an iPad or iPhone can can use it just fine.
“I was just saying it’s a complex issue which can’t have a simple answer.”
– Actually, there is a simple answer but it is made unnecessarily complex by politicans, lazy parents, lazy teachers and the many people out there who suffer from willfull disbelief.
“Well i am glad you and your Grandmother can install an app on a iPhone but again the world is bigger then just the 2 of you.”
– I seriously doubt only myself and my grandmother are the only people in the world who can manage to install an app on an iPhone. The iPad is the most owned tablet in the world and I would imagine the iPhone is up there as well. There is a reason people like using them, they are user friendly and yes, that even applies to “normal people”.
“Education should be the first course of action.”
– I could not agree more
In the short term I would much prefer to hear about the Coalition policy regarding SOPA and PIPA. These US bills have far more serious implications for the internet than motherhood press releases regarding consultations and committees and establishing a policy stance through community consultation for domestic content.. One only has to consider the Megaupload saga to be recognize the truth of that.
The Labor party policy of an internet filter was initiated to appease the ACL (Fielding) out of political convenience and the very fact that this policy initiative has been let slide bears this out.
So how about it Libs, prepared to make a firm policy commitment regarding the US corporate media attempts to grant themselves and their agents unprecedented powers to shut down international websites based on nothing more than foreign national interests ??
Nah. Too hairy, Stick to the motherhood policy statements of consultations etc. Piss weak.
Dont forget ACTA. id be very much interested to hear if it is something Tony would bin, or keep on with. (given we’ve already signed on; but i dont know the extent of a putative Coalition Governments acquiescence (or rejection) of the terms of treaty).
This should be good for a laugh. Once again the liberal parties village idiot trying to pretend he has the faintest clue about technology.
when you go to a “bad” web page, it says the village idiots favourite word “NO”.
And the village idiot really thinks he is a viable alternative to eing next prime minister. Cant wait till Turnbull challenges for liberal leadership, at least he does have half a brain.
Turnbull blew it with the Gretch affair. No coming back for him unless Abbot loses the next election which is not going happen.
Never say never Roger, funnier things have happened!
As the lead up to the next election ramps up, people will take a look at Mr Abbott.
Secondly, if Mr Abbott had his way, we would be using 2 cans and a piece of string as that’s “adequate”!
The coalition should not be taking the ALP to task over technology, their own performance while in govt was woeful and if they make this an election issue (again) they will lose.
Where do you think Conroy’s internet filter concept came from?
A conservative, godly group of people whom are compelled to be the moral voice of the Australian people.
The reality is, government funded filter software has been tried, it wasn’t popular given the hurdle that most children understand technology better than their parents. And they’ll figure out how to bypass. They always do.
None of which actually protects the victims of child pornography. It’s not the sweet little 9 year old searching for naughtiness. After about five minutes the amusement will wear off and they’ll move on to something else.
It’s the child, or children that have been abused to provide the content. You want to make a real difference, Mr Abbot?
Demand a federal inquiry into the catholic church and the ongoing claims regarding clergy abuse. Then legislate to ensure the church can’t just sweep it under the rug. Fund the federal constabulary at a sufficient level so existing laws can be used to find the underground rings and smash.
Improve legislation so that these bastards can’t hide, can’t run. Work to build a cross border policy with the UK, US and anyone else who shares a common goal.
That will be doing something. This? .. this is just grandstanding for the sake of a few votes.
yeah that’s what they say NOW!!
Once the votes are in a very different story methinks.
Gillard reneged on her promises what sensible person thinks that this will be any different??
Hi, I’m Mr Abbot and I disapprove of whatever it is Labor is doing. Unless we decide to do it. Because our “working group” decides it’s the least difficult option.
In which case, I approve of whatever it is we are doing. Unless Labor is doing it. Then I strongly disapprove. It’s the same thing? Well, that’s great, because we’re doing it better than they are.
The guy is a walking, talking example of a marionette that has had it’s strings cut.
Sounds like you’re the sad sack of marionette clothing and string, Mr “Don’t call me Conroy” Brendan.
Nice try, troll, but honestly, why don’t u eff off back to your Labor Party freakshow mates?
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