PM acknowledges web filter concerns

7 Jul 2010, 1:35 pm   -   Source: SBS Staff
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The filter has proven a thorny issue for Communications Minister Stephen Conroy so far. (AAP)

The filter has proven a thorny issue for Communications Minister Stephen Conroy so far. (AAP)

PM Julia Gillard has said she understands concerns over the proposed internet filter, but that she doesn't want to inhibit 'legitimate' use of the internet.

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Prime Minister Julia Gillard has implied she's happy with the controversial internet filter, but has acknolwedged concerns amongst the electorate.

Yesterday, Gillard ducked a number of questions on the filter, with a member of her media team directing questions straight to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, reports said.

But speaking on the issue on ABC local radio in Darwin this morning, Gillard seemed happy with the way it is going.

'I understand that there's a set of concerns, technical concerns about internet speed, and also concerns that this somehow [moves] into taking away legitimate use of the internet,' Gillard said.

'It's not my intention that we in any way jeopardise legitimate use of the internet.'

Gillard says Conroy's on top of things, according to journalist Latika Bourke's Twitter feed.

'Stephen Conroy is working to get this in the right shape', she was quoted as saying.
 

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So long USSR - Hello USA!

Michael - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

Here is the point really gets to me. The filter is designed to protect young children, so why make it mandatory on computers that will never have young children on them. Australia is becoming overly governed. I'm genuinely looking at the USA as a new place of residence if this filter goes through - seems to be the only place where people really fight for their rights, the real "Free World"

Unbelievable

Mark - from Spain, 2 years ago

I`m an australian living in spain at the moment and i get all the news from home via internet...( Yahoo 7 for my trash tabloid fix and sbs for serious news...) and I have to say I`m gobsmacked by this filter (censorship) proposal. I`m constantly copping flak from my spanish mates along the lines of "what the hell is going on in your country...." and I have to say I really don`t know...but it`s a pretty scary path the government is taking with this. Please define "Democracy" for me again......

regarding my vote.

james - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

if conroy (and this policy) is in, then labour is out.

A set of concerns, huh?

Chris - from Sydney, 2 years ago

"'...there's a set of concerns, technical concerns about internet speed, and also concerns that this somehow [moves] into taking away legitimate use of the internet,' Gillard said." Not just technical concerns, or simply about "legitimate" use of the internet. There are privacy concerns, freedom of speech concerns. Concerns about transparency, inaccuracy, right of appeal, and accountability of those performing the censorship. Not a good idea. Expensive, unnecessary, unwanted, and unjust.

:et us have the chioce

captn'pants - from st kilda, 2 years ago

Exactly right Therese, let us have the choice! It is widely accepetd the best places for filters are at the user end. If only the govt just gave people the option to OPT in for themselves you might actually get a positive response.

Agree with Peter

John - from Brisbane, 2 years ago

Yep - my main concern is that this is a right being attacked. Secondarily, I have seen the filter list and it includes a well known Australian porn site that I must admit to having looked at. And no illegal or even particularly racy stuff is on that site - it could not operate from here otherwise. So that raised for me additional concerns about the nature of this filter. I don't mind the dodgy stuff that you can stumble upon being excluded but the rest is none of their business.

well...

never again labour - from Sydney, 2 years ago

...there goes my vote. i will never be voting for the labour party again. thank you for making it so easy.

filters

J - from sydney, 2 years ago

I wish she just rejected the whole thing, as many in the public would agree.. We dont need to become a complete nanny state like China and Iran.. No filters please!

Internet Dictatorship

aussie - from melb, 2 years ago

I though Gillard may well ditch this filter however after the recent comments from Gillard i realise it was foolish to even entertain such thoughts.... FAIL Gillard my vote goes to the greens!!

Opt-in.

Therese - from ACT, 2 years ago

All that has to happen is for them to make it opt-in. Simple as that. Those of us who can judge for ourselves what is and is not appropriate can then browse information freely and those of us too lazy to supervise our children properly ourselves and be prepared t o guide and explain can have the government babysit for them Opt-in. It's that simple.

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